Leadership Manhattan

The mission of Leadership Manhattan is to ensure the vitality of our community by providing a continuous source of motivated leaders who are educated about the community, its challenges and opportunities; as well as, prepared and inspired to assume leadership roles in the Manhattan community at all levels.

  • An Informational Meeting will be held on September 28 from noon - 1 p.m. and again from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. as well as October 7 from noon – 1 p.m. at the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce offices. Your attendance is strongly encouraged at one of the available times.
  • In order to apply, you must currently live or work within the Manhattan area and must have done so for one year prior to the Application Deadline (Monday, October 24, 2022).
  • The Selection Committee is a confidential group of seven members responsible for reviewing applications and selecting the new Leadership Manhattan class. Upon selection, the committee will bring the names from the new class to the Leadership Manhattan Board of Directors for approval prior to release to the public.
  • The written application will be initially reviewed without Pages 2 and 4 in order to exclude identifying personal and professional data. Therefore, please take the time to thoroughly answer the questions on Page 3. After the initial review the Selection Committee will meet and Pages 2 and 4 will be made available, as the committee is encouraged to select a group of participants from a cross-section of the community representing a diversity of perspectives. From the written applications, a minimum of 80% of the applications will be chosen for interviews. Interviews will be conducted the week of November 7 and will be scheduled to last approximately 10 minutes per applicant. The written application and the interview will be worth a maximum of 30 points each. Those applicants who are not selected for an interview will be notified via email.
  • As the program's class size is limited, if you are not selected to participate in the 2023 Leadership Manhattan Program, the Board encourages you to apply in a future program year. If more than one applicant is applying from the same company, only one will be selected.
  • Tuition for the program is $975.00 for Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce Members and $1,125.00 for non-members, it is non-refundable and is due shortly after you are selected as a participant. Scholarships are available in a variety of levels. Please see Page 3 of this application for more information. Scholarships are provided by former Leadership Manhattan Classes.
  • In the wake of COVID19 we have adapted our program delivery model to provide meaningful development opportunities while protecting the health of our staff, board, class participants and presenters. As we look to the future, we remain committed to providing a quality learning experience along with the need to flex between in-person, remote and hybrid delivery models. We are ready for and innovating around this challenge. We will abide by all health regulations as set forth by the CDC, the State of Kansas, and all appropriate County Health Departments.

Nominate or apply here


2023 Class Dates

SessionDateTitleLocation
Get Acquainted DinnerJanuary 9, 2023Class DinnerManhattan
IJanuary 10, 2023OrientationManhattan

January 10, 2023Welcome ReceptionManhattan
IIJanuary 24, 2023Local Government-City FunctionsManhattan

III

February 1, 2023State Government
February 2, 2023State GovernmentTopeka
IVFebruary 14, 2023Community and Town Gown RelationsManhattan
VFebruary 28, 2023Civic Engagement - Community AwarenessManhattan
VIMarch 7, 2023EducationManhattan
VIIMarch 23, 2023Development and IndustryManhattan
GraduationApril 4, 2023GraduationManhattan

Listing of Leadership Manhattan Alumni

Goals

  • Identify potential business and community leaders, motivate them to become part of Leadership Manhattan
  • Provide these leaders with an awareness of the issues and opportunities facing the community
  • Expand and sharpen leadership skills and techniques
  • Facilitate ongoing communication and engagement among emerging and established leaders within the community
  • Encourage these trained and informed leaders to increase their involvement in local community affairs by matching skills and interests to existing goals

Benefits

  • Increased source of quality leaders for the Manhattan area
  • Access to quality leadership training program that benefits participants, their employers and community
  • Assist potential leaders to develop, match their skills and interests with needs of the community
  • Improved communications network among civic, business, social and educational leaders
  • Leadership base with broadened perspective to more effectively guide the community into its future

Lyle Butler Distinguished Leadership Award Winners


YearWinnerClass Year
2003Kent GlasscockClass of 1986
2004Brent BowmanClass of 1985
2005Mitzi RichardsClass of 1986
2006Bill KennedyClass of 1986
2007Mary LindquistClass of 1988
2008Wayne SloanClass of 1985
2009Sue MaesClass of 1985
2010Dan YunkClass of 1986
2011Bruce McMillanClass of 1986
2012Mark KnackendoffelClass of 1989
2013Jason HilgersClass of 2009
2014Tom HawkClass of 1985
2015Kristin BrightonClass of 2009
2016Lucy WilliamsClass of 2007
2017Neil HortonClass of 2006
2018Mary VanierClass of 2003
2019Larie SchoapClass of 2011
2020Amy Button RenzClass of 1990
2021Tom PhillipsClass of 2006
2022Linda CookClass of 2018