August 2023 – March 2024

Th online application for the 2023-24 program will be located here on May 15 at 9:00 am. 

Since 1974, Leadership Catawba has educated and equipped hundreds of Catawba County residents with information about the social, economic and political dynamics of our community. The program challenges each participant not only to be an effective and influential leader within their own organization, but to lead within our greater community through personal commitment and involvement. 

Leadership Catawba will give you the opportunity to connect on a deeper level to our county, preparing you to grow personally and professionally as a future leader. Over the 8-month duration, participants are immersed in community issues and challenges that we position ourselves to directly address in the areas of Reinventing Community, Telling our Story, Serving our Community, Building for Jobs, Workforce Connectivity and Small Business and Entrepreneurship.  

For Leadership Catawba questions, please contact: 
Kim Dahlsten, IOM, CCEC
Director of Leadership Catawba
Vice President of Operations
The Chamber of Catawba County
Email or call (828) 431-7230

Diversity Statement: Leadership Catawba is committed to identifying and nurturing leaders who reflect the diversity represented in our businesses and in the greater community.  We recognize the positive relationship between diversity and a thriving economy and therefore are intentional in our efforts to recruit, grow, and support leaders from diverse ethnic, racial, gender, socioeconomic, and professional backgrounds. We strive for inclusiveness in our programming, class participation, advisory board leadership, and community partnerships and actively seek to include individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds. We encourage business leaders to consider all aspects of diversity when recommending individuals for participation in Leadership Catawba.

Leadership Catawba Quick Facts:

• Leadership Catawba pulls together thirty-six (36) business and community leaders of diverse backgrounds and experiences who have demonstrated leadership potential throughout our community.
• The program kicks off in August 2023 with orientation and a team building retreat and concludes in March.2024 with graduation.
• Each participant graduates with approximately 16 hours of situational leadership training from a diverse array of community leaders and contracted consultants.
• Leadership Catawba participants receive a full PXT Select Leadership Report and full post analysis. (Value $250)
• Participants are challenged to organize and execute a group project which directly addresses a critical issue our county is facing aimed at making a sustainable impact.
• To graduate, attendance at all scheduled events is expected. No more than 12 total hours may be missed in order to complete the program and graduate. 

2022-23 Leadership Catawba Sponsors: