Growing Local: Emerging Leaders graduated its second cohort in November, celebrating 13 community leaders who will help southwest Minnesota thrive.
Leaders shape our organizations by setting the tone for the culture and making decisions that have a lasting impact on people and communities. Growing Local: Emerging Leaders is leadership training designed to help up-and-coming leaders discover and build on their unique strengths so they can make a difference through local boards, commissions and elected positions.
Southwest Initiative Foundation Rural Equity Specialist Khou Lor launched this program in 2023 and serves as its coordinator in partnership with University of Minnesota Extension, which provides hands-on training.
“It has been a humbling experience to grow alongside these 13 leaders. Through our cohort sessions, 1:1 interactions and intense laughing I have been able to witness each one of them share their growth and passion for what it truly means to be a leader in rural southwest Minnesota,” Khou said.
New this year, all Growing Local: Emerging Leaders sessions were hosted in person, giving participants a chance to visit eight communities in the region.
Over eight months, the leaders explored strengths, emotional intelligence, navigating conflict, community and culture, followership and even Robert’s Rules of Order for conducting meetings and making decisions as a group. Guest speakers included employers, entrepreneurs, community activists, local government officials and nonprofit leaders.
Words from emerging leaders
“It’s been good food, great information and great conversation,” said 2024 emerging leader Savina Gerren.
Savina is a stay-at-home mom in Windom who enjoys playing and learning with her children. She applied to the program wanting to become inspired, curious and encouraged to be involved in the communities around her.
“What inspires me with community leadership is that with the investment of time, a growth mindset and mentors who care, a leader can grow and thrive wherever they are,” Savina said.
Fellow 2024 emerging leader Abebe Abetew grew up in Ethiopia, graduated from Addis Ababa University there in 2008 and moved to Worthington in 2013. He wanted to be part of Growing Local: Emerging Leaders to learn more concepts and skills in leadership.
“Community leadership is all about people, to have a community leader that has people skills and understands their values and culture,” said Abebe, who is the local Ethiopian Orthodox Church board chairman and a member of the Worthington Cross Cultural Advisory Committee.
“I didn’t grow up here … and [Growing Local: Emerging Leaders] gave me a lot of opportunities to see different towns,” Abebe said.
Julia Wright joined the cohort looking to expand her leadership skills and learn from others’ perspectives. The program did not disappoint.
“The next morning after all of these sessions, I woke up so energized and feeling so positive,” Julia said.
Leadership is a journey
Empowering local leaders to grow, challenge and become resilient change makers in the communities where they live, work and play is what drives Khou’s work coordinating Growing Local: Emerging Leaders.
At the cohort’s graduation in November, Khou spoke about her own leadership journey. She said it started by being “voluntold” all the time to translate and make appearances at the doctor’s office with her immigrant parents. Through these lived experiences, she realized her love for creating space for people to speak on behalf of themselves, in their truest form.
“Leadership does not need formality. It doesn’t even need to be a torch passed on to you from another person. Leadership starts with you, and it starts by you first recognizing that you have the ability to make a change,” Khou said.
With support from a mentor who consistently pushed her outside her comfort zone, Khou’s passion flourished, and she learned to lead with purpose and intention. She channeled her energy and ideas into making a difference for the people and communities she cared about.
She told the graduates: “I came into SWIF not knowing how much this role would impact my life. It sounds a little cliché to say this way, but truly I feel indebted. I’ve gained new friends, new mentors and a handful of leaders to grow alongside with. It has been truly remarkable to be able to share this space with you. As much as this experience has been a learning opportunity for you, know too that you have contributed to my learning experience. You are all so inspiring in so many ways, and I truly know our region and community is so lucky to have you. … I’m rooting for you all.”
Leadership training tips for everyone
Kim Guenther is an Extension Educator specializing in Leadership & Civic Engagement, and she led many of the trainings for Growing Local: Emerging Leaders. At program graduation, Kim gave the cohort a list of leadership tips. These are good reminders for local leaders at any stage of their journey!
- Use your strengths and lead by example.
- Listen actively.
- Communicate transparently.
- Prioritize emotional intelligence.
- Value diverse perspectives.
- Foster a sense of belonging.
- Balance confidence with vulnerability.
- Learn to embrace and navigate conflict effectively.
- Continue to invest in building relationships.
- Don’t be afraid to fail.
- Get involved in community.
- Have a vision and inspire others with it.
Find more leadership and civic engagement ideas from University of Minnesota Extension.
