Leadership Development Academy of Rock County
The Leadership Development Academy of Rock County is comprised of individuals, businesses and organizations interested in positively impacting our community by providing a personal and professional empowerment experience for aspiring leaders.
The Leadership Development Academy program consists of one full-day session per month for nine months focusing on community awareness, economic development, communication skills, panels on board governance, Human Resources, project management, fundraising to name a few. There are multiple networking opportunities with fellow program participants and an alumni base of 700+ community members. The program concludes with groups presenting on their community impact project they developed over the course of the 9-month program, with hopes for long-lasting, positive impact in the community.
The leaders who emerge from the LDA experience are fundamentally changed and more deeply connected to our community. Since its inception in 2003, LDA has celebrated 100 projects invested in Rock County, supporting multiple organizations and community members. Program graduates have gone on to lead both private-sector and nonprofit organizations, serve in a public office, and participate on boards of directors for countless local nonprofit agencies.
“Going through LDA opened my eyes to the impact each of us can have on our community. I was born and raised in Rock County, but didn’t realize all of the community challenges that Rock County faces, until completing the program. LDA not only molded me into becoming a better corporate leader, but also a better leader for Rock County. I have had the pleasure of attending graduation for the past five years and hearing about each project’s impact is always such a joy. I am exceptionally proud of what LDA has accomplished and look forward to the impact the program will continue to have on the community with the introduction of high school seniors in the program. “ -Holly Bultman, Board Chair and 2017 alum.
Katarina Dries a current college freshman at UW-Madison and 2023 LDA participant shared this, “My participation in LDA has been instrumental in equipping me for these leadership roles and outreach endeavors. Through formal training and networking with local professionals, I honed the skills and confidence necessary to drive meaningful change within my community. This dedication to leadership, community engagement, and knowledge application underscores my commitment to fostering growth and positive impact. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors whose continued support of LDA enables individuals like me to evolve into effective leaders and catalysts for positive change within our communities and beyond.”
“The Leadership Development Academy participants learn about their community, what the community’s needs are, and how each participant can use their knowledge, skills and expertise to help make Rock County a better place to live, work and play. In a nutshell, we are cultivating a culture of philanthropy, engaging and empowering our next generation of leaders.” Jamie Karns, Executive Director.
More information on upcoming events, plans for next year’s class, as well as an official application form, can be found on the LDA website, located at www.ldarock.com. The program is open to high school seniors, we accept up to 35 participants per year. Need-based scholarships are available to employees of government, nonprofit organizations and small businesses (25 or fewer employees).
For more information on LDA, alumni and past projects, visit www.ldarock.com.
