Developing the Next Generation of Leaders in Austin
Leadership Austin connects people who care with the knowledge and skills to make a difference. Learn about your community, grow as a leader, and give back in ways that matter.
APPLICATIONS OPEN IN MARCH 2027
WHAT IS LEADERSHIP AUSTIN?
Leadership Austin is a community-based education and leadership development program designed to immerse participants in the issues, opportunities, and people shaping our community.
Over the course of the program, participants explore the systems and sectors that make Austin thrive, including:
Business & Agriculture – the backbone of our local economy
Politics & Public Safety – how decisions are made and carried out
Education – preparing the next generation
Health Care & Human Services – caring for our community
Diversity & Quality of Life – celebrating what makes Austin unique
Through hands-on learning, candid conversations, and behind-the-scenes experiences, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Austin, and how you can make a lasting impact.
In Leadership Austin, you will learn much about your community. You will give back even more.
Send finished applications to info@austincoc.com by June 5th, 2027.
Why Leadership Austin?
Build
Identify, cultivate and inspire successive generations of community leaders to take action and accountability to face the challenges facing the Austin area.
Gain Stakeholders
Connect next local and business leaders to care and be involved within the community.
Relationship Building
Explore interrelationships of the local area with government and business.
Sponsorship
Investors in this program know the value of investing in our future leaders to support our region long-term.
2026-2027 COHORT SCHEDULE
Regular monthly sessions occur on the second Thursday of each month - September through May, from 7:30am - 4:00pm.
August 20, 2026 - Cohort Social KickoffÂ
September 10, 2026 - Opening SessionÂ
October 8, 2026 - Quality of Life
November 12, 2026 - Agriculture/Agri-Business
December 10, 2026 - Local Government
January 14, 2027 - Business & Economic Development
February 11, 2027 - Education
March 4, 2027 - Public SafetyÂ
April 8, 2027 - Public Health
May 13, 2027 - Final Presentations, Graduation
Meet the 2026-2027 Cohort
Michelle Baker
Austin Aspires
Kristi Beckman
Austin Public Schools
Jessy Betts
Austin Police Department
Stephanie Blaser
Hormel Institute
University of MN
Ian Caruso
City of Austin
Fire Department
Erika Chavarria
Riverland Community
College
LaTia Childers
Austin Area Arts
Jacob Colwell
Mayo Clinic
Health System
Tanner Conway
Hormel Institute
University Of MN
Kacie Eyler
Hormel Foods
John Halvorson
Quality Pork
Processors
Miguel Hernandez
Quality Pork
Processors
Mike Jerpbak
Riverland Community
College
Teri Johnson
Hormel Institute
University of MN
Ryan Melbourne
Austin Area Chamber
of Commerce
Alexander Mullenbach
Hormel Foods
Joshua Nierengarten
Adams, Rizzi & Sween
Anisha Pitzenberger
Riverland Community
College
Keri Rasmussen
Cooperative Response Center
Shannon Rezac
Hormel Foods
Rochelle Shultz
Nexus Family Healing
Emelin Vasquez Mendoza
Hormel Foods
THANK YOU 2026/27 LEADERS
Peggy Young
Riverland Community College
Joe Bower
Austin Area Chamber
of Commerce
Patty Tewes
First Farmers & Merchants Bank
