United Way of Henderson County created the Rising Leaders program to help the next generation of community leaders gain the skills and tools needed to connect as board members and volunteers with the nonprofit community.

Rising Leaders attend monthly sessions from August through March on topics such as board member roles and responsibilities, fundraising, and nonprofit life cycles. Sessions also include an opportunity to visit nonprofit organizations to experience their work first-hand. The final session includes a speed matching event with representatives from 20 nonprofits networking with each of the Rising Leaders.

Participants include many young professionals, as well as those re-entering the workforce and professionals who are new to the area and have an interest in learning more about local nonprofit participation. 

We are now accepting applications through July 31, 2026. 

Requirements to successfully complete the Rising Leaders Program are: 

• Attend at least 5 out of 6 informational sessions 
• Attend the graduation 
• Attend a board of directors meeting at a Henderson County nonprofit organization and complete a related homework assignment
• Complete a group service project

2026-2027 Topics
(Details subject to change)

• Tuesday August 18, 11am - 1pm: Board Basics
  • Location: TBD
• Thursday September 24, 11am - 1pm: Nonprofits in Henderson County 
  • Location: Interfaith Assistance Ministry (310 Freeman St in HVL)
• October Outreach (Choose at least one option)
  • Tuesday October 6, 9am - 12pm at MANNA FoodBank (99 Broadpointe Drive in Mills River)
  • Tuesday October 20, 9am-12pm at MANNA FoodBank (99 Broadpointe Drive in Mills River)
  • TBD Bike Build
• Tuesday November 17, 11am-1pm: Financial Leadership
  • Location: TBD
• (Optional) Wednesday December 2, 4:30pm - 6:30mp: Holiday Drop-in
  • Location: Southern Appalachian Brewery (822 Locust St in HVL)
• Thursday January 21, 11am-1pm: Legal Leadership 
  • Location: TBD
• Tuesday February 16, 11am-1pm: Fundraising 
  • Location: virtually over Zoom 
• Thursday March 4, 5:30pm - 7:45pm: Graduation and Speed-Matching Event
  • Location: Grace Lutheran Church (1245 6th Ave in HVL)

Congratulation to the 2025-2026 Rising Leader Graduates

John Badger

Brenda Boyd

Kennan Dwyer

Nicole Gardner

Emily Gill

Tara Giltner

Laurel Glass

Lauren Hooper Richard

Kristi Hopkins

John Hughes

Steve Matthews

Joseph Mickey

Jessica Perkins

Shaune Reynolds

Sarah Rogers

Maria Sanchez

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.

For more information on the Rising Leaders program, please email Mary Ellen Kustin.

Thank you to our generous sponsors whose support allows Rising Leaders program to be free to all participants.

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