2026 Transformational Leadership Cohort

In 2026, our Kansas Leadership Center Leadership Transformation Grant will support a cohort to learn about the KLC leadership principles and competencies and then apply them directly to an adaptive challenge relating to activating Downtowns in Reno County. This effort is in response to resident priorities shared through the Love Where You Live resident perception surveys in 2024 and 2025, indicating there is a strong desire to address blight, attract new businesses, and visibly increase the quality of life in communities across Reno County. It also supports strategies identified in the Elevate Reno County economic development strategic plan, particularly Priority 5.2 to “invest in healthy, family-friendly amenities and energized Downtowns.”

15 individuals will be selected to form the eight-month cohort, with most sessions held locally at locations across Reno County and two multi-day sessions held at KLC in Wichita. No previous KLC experience is necessary

Timeline and schedule:

• February 27 – Deadline to submit application
• March 13 – Selected participants notified
• May 11, 5:30-8pm – Cohort Launch
• May 12, 9am-3pm – When Everyone Leads
• June 1, 11:30am-2pm – Progress Session
• June 29, 11:30am-2pm – Progress Session
• July 22-23 – Your Leadership Edge at KLC in Wichita
• Aug 17, 11:30am-2pm – Progress Session
• Sept 15-17 – Lead for Change at KLC in Wichita
• Oct 12, 11:30am-2pm – Progress Session

As a member of the Transformational Leadership Cohort, participants will agree to the following:

• To be an engaged part of the process
• To keep an open mind
• To be fully present at times of interactions with my cohort
• To be authentic about my confusion, hesitations, and misgivings, as well as my learnings and discoveries
• To keep confidences among my cohort peers
• To schedule and hold at least one conversation with one other cohort member
• To make attendance at progress sessions and programs a priority
• To register promptly, as instructed, for select KLC programs and complete the preparation steps in advance of each program

Expected time commitments from May through December 2026:

• Approximately 23 hours in local (Hutchinson) sessions
• A total of 5 days (2 for Your Leadership Edge and 3 for Lead for Change) in Wichita from 9am-5pm each day
• Various conversations and preparation, as desired or needed, outside of cohort sessions or programs

Provided by Hutchinson Community Foundation:

• required books: When Everyone Leads, Your Leadership Edge, and 2026 Guidebook
• KLC registration fees (covered by Transformation Grant)
• Mileage reimbursement to and from Wichita

The KLC Leadership Transformation Grant leadership team includes Donna Davis (retired nonprofit executive), Denice Gilliland (Hutch Rec), Joel Iwashige (Common Thriving), Elicia Lance (Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community), Kari Mailloux (Hutchinson Community Foundation), and Dave Sotelo (City of Hutchinson).

Please contact Kari Mailloux with any questions.

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Which sector do you most often represent? *

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• KLC's When Everyone Leads
• KLC's Your Leadership Edge
• KLC's Lead for Change
• KLC's Equip to Lead
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