Leadership Lake Havasu
LLH
Leadership Lake Havasu (LLH), formerly known as Havasu Leadership Development (HLD) began in the year 2000 when community leaders identified a need for a leadership training program within the local community. The Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce was asked to develop a leadership program where participants could grow as leaders while learning about the community in which they lived, for the purpose of becoming knowledgeable about issues and challenges facing the city, in hopes that these class members would become the future community leaders of tomorrow.
“This class changed everything I thought I knew and loved about Lake Havasu City. Whether you are an aspiring leader, new to your career, an entrepreneur, or settling into retirement in Havasu, this program is for you. Here is what I can promise based on my experience: LLH will educate,cultivateandhelpprocureadeepunderstandingoftheinnerworkingsandindustryinLakeHavasuCity.
You will see the massive growth you’re looking to obtain and further your knowledge and appreciation of our great Community, while making some of the best relationships possible with your peers and educators. Who’s next, Havasu?”
AustinRuffner,2022LLHGraduate
Certified MortgageAdvisor US Mortgage
“As a leadership instructor at UCLA, I didn’t know what I was in for when I joined Leadership Lake Havasu. To my surprise, Leadership Lake Havasu was a life-changing experience for me that exceeded all my expectations.
Not only did we learn leadership techniques, but we also met very prominent community leaders. It was a fantastic opportunity to network with very strong people.I personally participated for 2 years in Leadership Lake Havasu. The first year, I was an active participant in all events. In year 2, I was one of the co-chairs, where I worked with a few other co-chairs to set up the monthly leadership events.
As stated earlier, Leadership Lake Havasu was a truly life-changing experience. I cannot urge people strongly enough to join. It is educational, exciting, and fun!”
Dr. Christa Ikona,
2021 LLH Graduate
PsyD., MAcc
Leadership history
- The first Leadership Program was held in the early 90’s, but only lasted for a year.
- It was later revitalized and graduated its first class, as we know it today, in the year 2000.
- From 2000 – 2008 Havasu Leadership Development, was a thriving and well-attended class, typically graduating 30 people per year, however, in 2009 the class-size dramatically decreased in attendance due to lack of funding from long-time supporting local businesses who could no longer afford to lose an employee for a full day, and/or pay for the tuition to attend the class.
- In 2012 a team brainstormed and consulted with other Chamber’s of Commerce on how to restructure The Leadership Class to make it more appealing for businesses
- Chamber of Commerce was/is a 501(c)(6) organization which doesn’t allow the sponsorship of an employee to be “charitable giving”
- The team learned that a 501(c)(3) organization does allow for the company sponsoring the employee to classify the tuition as “charitable giving”
- WA-LA a wonderful reason why businesses would want to send their employees to a leadership program and get a tax break for the company.
Leadership Lake Havasu is an immersive nine-month program where class members are selected to go through a series of sessions designed to teach them about the various facets of community, business sectors, industries, education components, opportunities and the challenges that make up a growing city in rural Arizona.
The program uses three Pillars in the Leadership Process:
Grow, Connect, Collaborate!
Why Leadership Lake Havasu
Leadership Lake Havasu is a dynamic program that will give you, your employee or a member of your service organization a ”back door” view into the community while facilitating growth and leadership skills necessary to work in today’s world. So many of our graduates, even those born and raised in Lake Havasu City, are amazed by what they learned by going through this program…most will report back that they had no idea all that goes on in our beautiful community.
Along with developing leadership skills and delivering a full scope of everything available to the citizens of Lake Havasu City, the objective of the Leadership Lake Havasu is to deliver a world-class experience and provide significant value to the participants, the employers and the sponsors.
Participation in the Lake Havasu Chamber Foundation for Education and Leadership Leadership Lake Havasu program is open to persons living in the Lake Havasu area.
Participants will be chosen by the LLH Selection Committee by an application process. The Selection Committee will schedule group and/or private interviews with the applicants. The Committee will be seeking representation from a cross-section of the community. The leaders and potential leaders will be active in professional business, education, the arts, retail, government and community-based organizations and will reflect the diversity of the community.
These programs utilize professionals from the business community during the sessions, as presenters and trainers and they require the full attention of the class in order for the program to be successful. Therefore, applicants must have the full support of the organization or corporation they represent. Attendance at monthly sessions is mandatory and is monitored. Those who fail to attend and miss more than one session may be asked to withdraw, with no refund of tuition.
For further information and schedules, please email leadershiplakehavasu@gmail.com.
Grow
LLH provides personal and professional development opportunities that enrich the the lives of participants, positioning them as premier emerging leaders in the Lake Havasu City Community, giving them the advantage of being:
The first resource for area businesses to turn to when seeking new talent.
Entrepreneurs –training to build confidence to find their way in business.
Change agents –the program provides leaders with continuing personal growth opportunities.
Connect
Experience the power of community service organizations and the events that drive economic and social health in Lake Havasu City.
Generate awareness of Havasu organizations by connecting with and learning from community non-profits.
Partner LLH grads with opportunities to serve along side other LLH grads in a variety of different ways.
Collaborate
LLH provides team building experiences that create forever friends and connections who work together for the enhancement of the city.
The program encourages participants to become and stay engaged in volunteer, school, church and social service organizations.
Provides awareness of public activities and affairs and encourages participants to serve in the public sector.
Class members work together to create a community event to raise money for CFEL.
Leadership Lake Havasu Applications Available Now!
Are you interested in getting involved in our Leadership Lake Havasu Class? We are now accepting applications for our Leadership Lake Havasu 2025-26 Cohort.
Applications are due July 31st. Be sure to fill yours out or send the link to someone that you feel can benefit from this amazing program! We look forward to having you involved!
Commitment
Leadership Lake Havasu requires attendance. There are only eight full day class sessions and the event date in April, thus participants may miss no more than ONE day of class/event in order to graduate from the program.
The classes typically fall on the 4thThursday of each month, with the exception of November and December due to the holidays, in which the class sessions may be held on the 3rdThursday of these months. May is another exception due to high school graduation. Prior to class selection, all dates will be set in stone. Please review these dates with your employee or service club member. Your deposit will not be refunded under any circumstances. Should a participant miss a class, both the participant and the employer or sponsor will receive an email with a reminder that no further classes may be missed, and that the deposit is in jeopardy as well as future participation and graduation.
Class Times
Each session will be held in a different venue promptly at 8 a.m. Doors will open at 7:45 a.m. and coffee will be served. Snacks and beverages will be provided throughout the day. A catered lunch will be provided during each session as part of tuition
Tuition
Tuition for the class is $675 for Chamber Members and $925 for non-Chamber members.
Scholarship Opportunities
Partial scholarships may be available on a limited basis and are based on need. An applicant’s ability to pay for the program should not be a barrier to participation. Applicants requesting a scholarship should submit a brief statement included with the application indicating the need and the amount requested. The Chamber Foundation Board of Directors may be able to assist! Please ask.
Topics
Session Topics are designed to introduce class members to everything Lake Havasu City. Topics include Havasu’s Movers and Shakers, Team Building, Communication Styles, Community Organizations, Education Opportunities in the Community, Local Government, First Responders, Tourism Impact, Retail, Manufacturing, Healthcare and Wellness, etc.
Benefits to You
- Personal and Professional Growth
- Fast track to leadership and leadership issues with the city
- Participation in an informative, eye-opening, thought-provoking program
- Opportunity to make a difference for your community as a leader
Benefits to Your Employer
- A comprehensive and affordable program for key talent that includes hands-on event planning, management, and team leadership training
- Develops key employees’ leadership skills to enhance organizational effectiveness
- Increases awareness of city and community needs
- Builds community “bench-strength” and contributes to the economic future of LHC
- Creates a committed workforce, dedicated to living and growing with Lake Havasu City
