Rising Leaders is an eight-month long program designed to develop the next generation of community leaders and board members for Henderson County nonprofit organizations.
United Way of Henderson County created the Rising Leaders program to educate individuals and give them the tools and connections to become key volunteers with our community partners and other nonprofits in Henderson County.
2023-2024 RISING LEADERS PROGRAM
Participants in Rising Leaders attend monthly sessions from August through March on topics such as board member roles and responsibilities, fundraising, and nonprofit life cycles.
Session Schedule & Topics
- August 18: Orientation & Non-Profit Bus Tour, 9am-1pm
- DATE CHANGE: September 26: Non-Profit Life Cycle & Board Basics, 11am-1pm
- October 25: The Power of Your Passion, 11am-1pm
- November 3 or 4 (attendee chooses): Hidden Histories in Henderson County, 9am-12pm
- December 12 (optional): Holiday Drop-in, 4:30pm-6pm
- January 11: Finance and Legal Leadership, 11am-2pm
- February 8: Fundraising 101 and Presentation, 11am-3pm
- March 5: Graduation & Non-Profit Speed Dating, 5:30pm-7:45pm
2022-2023 RISING LEADERS GRADUATES
Graduates are already making a strong impact in our community. Many of them have been recruited to serve on committees, boards of directors, and in other key roles of local non-profit organizations.
Congratulations to last year’s Rising Leaders graduates!
Jim Boyd, Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks Realtors®
Angela Buchanan, AdventHealth Hendersonville
Juls Buckman, Hendersonville Headshots
Alec Burkle, Eaton Corp
Richie Burlett, Burlett Painting
Sara Cole, Safelight
Syreeta Ellison, AdventHealth Hendersonville
Debi Gould, Dampp-Chaser Corp
Kendal Heck, Smart Start Partnership for Children
Lauren Keplinger, Self Employed
Hope Kim, Community Volunteer
Mary Ellen Kustin, United Way of Henderson County
Cheyenne Mathews, ALLCHOICE Insurance
Alicia McClain Hawkins, Camp Tekoa Inc.
Erin Outlaw, WNCSource
Ashley Sandahl, Excuse Us While We Succeed
Jessica Sherek, Kimberly-Clark
Amy Siegler, LimbTech
Justin Staebell, World Vision International
Olivia Stuller, Hope Coalition
Victoria Todd, Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development
For more information on the Rising Leaders Program,
please email Mary Ellen Kustin at mkustin@liveunitedhc.org
Rising Leaders Sponsors:
Thanks to the generous sponsorship by WNC Bridge Foundation and Carolina Village, the Rising Leaders Program is free of charge for all participants.