The 2017 Littleton Leadership Academy, which is currently accepting applications for its inaugural year at LittletonLeadershipAcademy.org, is a 10-month program to foster leadership skills that citizens can use in their personal and professional lives. The Academy is designed to develop leadership potential within the community to meet the demands of tomorrow. A Littleton resident who participated in a similar leadership academy (in Fort Collins) called it “a life-changing experience.”
Classes, which will begin January 19, 2017, will be held one full day a month for 10 months. Curriculum will include an introductory/leadership development session; “The Big Picture” (governance at the State level); “Serving a Diverse City” (focused on the City of Littleton); “Education Day;” “Economic Vitality Day;” “Mobility and Land Use” (two sessions); “Health and Wellness Day;” “PlaceMaking: Nurturing Littleton’s InfraCulture;” and graduation.
The Academy will feature a wide range of interesting and informative speakers. Additional speakers will be announced as they are confirmed. A partial list of speakers confirmed to date includes:
- Chris Armstrong, Chief, Littleton Fire Rescue
- Barb Becker, Deputy Director, All Health Network (formerly Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network)
- Mike Braaten, Deputy City Manager, City of Littleton
- Reeves Brown, former Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs
- Brian Ewert, Superintendent, Littleton Public Schools
- Ethan Feldman, Presiding Judge, City of Littleton
- Mike Fitzgerald, South Denver Business Partnership
- Richard Gabriel, Justice, Colorado Supreme Court
- Julie George, Director, LiveWell Colorado’s HEAL Cities & Towns Campaign
- Robert Golden, President, South Metro Chamber of Commerce
- Jo Hamit, Executive Director, South Metro Housing Options
- Joanne Holden, WIC Program and School Nutrition Supervisor, Tri-County Health
- Andy Jennings, Director of Parks and Open Space, South Suburban Park and Recreation District
- Bebe Kleinman, Executive Director, Doctors Care
- Nikki Crouse, Active Adult Program Coordinator, South Suburban Park and Recreation District
- Casey Leno, Director of Ministry, Littleton Adventist Hospital
- Doug Linkhart, Executive Director of the National Civic League
- Kurtis Morrison, State Legislative Affairs Director, Office of the Governor
- Dennis Stowe, Plant Manager, Littleton/Englewood Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Monica Thompson, Littleton Family YMCA
- Danny Tomlinson, Tomlinson & Associates
- Jamie Van Leeuwen, Senior Policy Advisor to Gov. John Hickenlooper
- Brian Vogt, Executive Director of the Denver Botanic Gardens
Members of the Academy’s Steering Committee include interested citizens and representatives of the City of Littleton, Colorado Association of Realtors, Colorado Center for the Blind, Littleton Adventist Hospital, Littleton Community Retreat, Littleton Public Schools, Littleton Transportation Network, Littleton Family YMCA, Regional Transportation District, South Metro Chamber of Commerce, South Metro Housing Options and South Suburban Park & Recreation District.
With questions, contact Susan Thornton, info@LittletonLeadershipAcademy.org. Partial scholarships may be available.
The Academy is a project of the Littleton Community Retreat, which has been building a stronger community since 1975.
