These Huntsville professionals loved this leadership program—find out why now

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Leadership Greater Huntsville group
Launch your leadership in Huntsville. (Jillian Massey)

Mark, Jill and Steven all have different careers and backgrounds, but they have one thing in common: they are crushing the local leadership game.

Read on to learn fun facts about each of them and how they found out about these life-changing Leadership Greater Huntsville (LGH) programs.

What is Leadership Greater Huntsville?

Leadership Greater Huntsville is the Rocket City’s one-stop-shop for all things professional development and community improvement. They aim to inspire leaders and offer resources for high school students to senior executives, including site visits, behind-the-scene tours and interactive program days.

Meet Mark

Mark and his daughter—both involved with Leadership Greater Huntsville
Mark (left) and his daughter Merritt (right). (Mark Zesinger)

As a Huntsville transplant, Mark has really enjoyed getting to know the city better through the Leadership Greater Huntsville programs.

  • Career: Systems Engineer/Consultant at Deloitte
  • Leadership program: Management Academy + Focus program
    • PLUS: His two kids have participated in Leadership Greater Huntsville programs! His son, James (18), participated in the high school Challenge program, + his daughter, Merritt (20), attended the college Spark program.
  • Fun fact: Mark’s a transplant from Virginia, so he hasn’t ‘chosen a side’ (Auburn vs. Alabama) and is actually the local Virginia Tech Alumni Chapter President.
  • Favorite part of the program: Getting real access to community leaders, building business network + making the community better

“LGH is one of the most impressively-run community-focused programs I’ve been involved with.  The LGH staff are committed, energetic and passionate about the LGH mission, and it shows in every program and alum that comes out of it. 

It is strongly supported by our local leaders, who commit their time to be active participants, which shows the value they recognize in LGH. It’s an accelerator for anyone who wants to be an impactful part of the Huntsville/Madison Community.”

Mark Zesinger, Systems Engineer/Consultant at Deloitte

Meet Jillian

Jillian Massey at Connect for Leadership Greater Huntsville
Jillian Massey, Connect graduate. (Jillian Massey)

After living in Auburn for ten years, Jillian decided to move back to the Rocket City, and she needed a resource to connect her with the community. LGH proved to be just that for her.

  • Career: Talent Management Consultant at Horizon Point Consulting
  • Leadership program: Connect
  • Fun fact: She was born in Huntsville, moved away at the age of 3, but now happily calls the Rocket City home again.
  • Favorite part of the program: She made one of her closest friends from the Connect program + she loved talking with civic + business leaders committed to improving the city.

“LGH has something for everyone. There are programs for high school students, college students, emerging professionals, those new to the area and skilled managers.

Two years ago, I came back to volunteer and have loved it. Wherever it’s fitting for my expertise and experience, I want to give back because LGH has given so much to me.”

Jillian Massey, Talent Management Consultant at Horizon Point Consulting

Meet Steven

Steven Conway
Steven Conway, Leadership Flagship graduate. (Steven Conway)

Like many of us, Steven was a newcomer to Huntsville, and LGH proved to be exactly what he was looking for to help him connect with the community.

  • Career: Executive Coach/Leadership Development Consultant + the Managing Principal of Momentum 1st Coaching
  • Leadership program: Leadership Flagship
  • Fun fact: Steven’s a retired US Army helicopter pilot with 22 years of distinguished service + Huntsville’s the only place he’s lived for more than 3 years.
  • Favorite part of program: Connecting with other servant leaders + getting direct exposure to organizations + resources that support the community

“Leadership Huntsville is an organization that ‘walks the walk’ when it comes to actively engaging, educating and inspiring servant leaders and connecting the community.

My best advice is to engage with Leadership Greater Huntsville, and you will receive many more benefits than you can even imagine.”

Steven Conway, Momentum 1st Coaching

Leadership Greater Huntsville has a program for everyone—apply today.

Upcoming Leadership Greater Huntsville programs

Group shot of a Leadership Huntsville group at lake
Leadership Huntsville group at Lake Guntersville. (LGH)

Challenge

LGH Challenge logo

This seven-month program offers young leaders (entering their 10th or 11th grade year) invaluable leadership and mentorship opportunities.

  • Cost: Free
  • Program content: Each program day will tackle topics in personal, community and business leadership
  • Program length: 7 months
  • Target candidate: Emerging leaders with personal integrity, desire to increase community and school involvement and a motivation to learn

Connect

LGH Connect logo

Designed for emerging leaders, Connect facilitates professional development and provides meaningful community involvement opportunities throughout the ten-month program.

  • Cost: $3,750
  • Program content: Participants meet one or two times a month, usually from 7AM-7PM, and focus on one area of the Huntsville community in each session. Small group meetings are also incorporated to foster connections
  • Program length: 10 months
  • Target candidate: Someone with personal integrity who loves setting goals and has a desire to increase community involvement

Flagship

LGH Leadership Flagship logo

Calling all senior leaders with proven leadership experience and success—the ten-month Flagship program is the ultimate opportunity to up your servant leadership in the community.

  • Cost: $4,850
  • Program content: Classes on economic base/innovation, education, human services, healthcare, local, state and federal government and public safety in a small-group, immersive learning environment
  • Program length: 10 months
  • Target candidate: Established leaders ready to make a difference in our community
Leadership program group at Space and Rocket Center
At the Space + Rocket Center. (LGH)

Focus

LGH Focus logo

This is a shorter but jam-packed two-and-a-half day program dedicated to helping newcomers and emerging leaders understand the Huntsville community and leadership opportunities.

  • Cost: $1,600
  • Program content: Meet with top leaders and get a crash course on Huntsville—the local economy, health care, local government, education and much more
  • Program length: 2 1/2 days
  • Target candidate: Newcomers or long-time Rocket City residents excited to learn more about the community and make Huntsville a better place

Management Academy

LGH Management Academy logo

Even the top business executives can benefit from this leadership program. Over ten months, the Management Academy will expose members to other thoughtful leaders and integral results-driven systems.

  • Cost: $3,350
  • Program content: Study a different management/leadership topic through panel discussions, slide presentations, case studies, book reviews, storytelling and skills exercises led by local experts.
  • Program length: 10 months
  • Target candidate: Business managers, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, civic volunteers and leaders of all levels.

Spark

LGH Spark logo

This one-week leadership program is perfect for outstanding college leaders who are passionate about Huntsville and eager to make a difference. Plus it’s free!

  • Cost: Free
  • Program content: An immersive, group learning experience on Huntsville’s economic base/innovation, education, human services, healthcare, local, state and federal government and public safety
  • Program length: Five days
  • Target candidate: Undergraduate students ready to make a different in their community

Ready to up your leadership and community involvement like Mark, Jill and Steven? Apply for a Leadership Greater Huntsville program today.

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Lacey Spear
Lacey Spear
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