By: Matt Yarder, Chairman EPIC Toledo Advisory Council
In my opening Chairman’s message I wrote about the talented, energetic, and inspiring group of young professionals living in the Toledo Region. When I took on the role of EPIC Toledo Chairman for 2016 I couldn’t wait to see the ways these talented individuals would continue to shape our community. We’ve had an incredibly impactful year of programming and our region’s eager young professionals are gathering in droves to experience it together. As we move into our 10th year, it is evident EPIC Toledo has a crucial responsibility to the success and growth of our region.
EPIC has been able to provide unprecedented growth opportunities in three key elements to the development of our budding YP’s – LEADERSHIP, COMMUNITY IMPACT, and NETWORKING. Today I want to touch on Leadership.
EPIC has been able to provide unprecedented growth opportunities in three key elements to the development of our budding YP’s – LEADERSHIP, COMMUNITY IMPACT, and NETWORKING. Today I want to touch on Leadership.
As EPIC members we understand Leadership is LIFE MADE BETTER, not for the individual, but for the community. True Leadership maximizes the energy of those around us to achieve goals we never dreamed possible on our own.
Getting the next generation of leadership in our community to understand that at an accelerated stage in their careers will exponentially add value to the Toledo Region.
How are we doing this?... meaningful, impactful experiences. We are giving our YP’s benchmarking opportunities and direct access to community leaders with programs like our BREAKFAST CLUB and EPIC LEADERSHIP SUMMIT.
The Breakfast Clubs gave us personal connections to four dynamic leaders in four very different segments of our community.
We heard how Mark Rodriguez, now retired CEO of Hickory Farms, took the risk to be one of the first businesses to move back to our urban core of downtown Toledo in 2012. Col. Baker shared emotional stories of fearless leadership about Major Marie Rossi, the First Female Combat Commander To Fly into Battle, not to mention, walk us around the F-16’s and try on the flight gear for great photo-ops. We welcomed Zak Vassar into his new role as the President and CEO of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra and explored how a cultural passion developed into a path of leadership. And finally, we took a personal ride through Aly Sterling’s journey in finding her innate desire to be an entrepreneur in the non-profit sector of our community.
Getting the next generation of leadership in our community to understand that at an accelerated stage in their careers will exponentially add value to the Toledo Region.
How are we doing this?... meaningful, impactful experiences. We are giving our YP’s benchmarking opportunities and direct access to community leaders with programs like our BREAKFAST CLUB and EPIC LEADERSHIP SUMMIT.
The Breakfast Clubs gave us personal connections to four dynamic leaders in four very different segments of our community.
We heard how Mark Rodriguez, now retired CEO of Hickory Farms, took the risk to be one of the first businesses to move back to our urban core of downtown Toledo in 2012. Col. Baker shared emotional stories of fearless leadership about Major Marie Rossi, the First Female Combat Commander To Fly into Battle, not to mention, walk us around the F-16’s and try on the flight gear for great photo-ops. We welcomed Zak Vassar into his new role as the President and CEO of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra and explored how a cultural passion developed into a path of leadership. And finally, we took a personal ride through Aly Sterling’s journey in finding her innate desire to be an entrepreneur in the non-profit sector of our community.
And the EPIC LEADERSHIP SUMMIT was a sight to behold. Nearly 300 young professionals gathered at the Health Science Campus of the University of Toledo for an ENTIRE day of professional development and leadership training. These YP’s were able to go through a personal self-assessment, explore their unique leadership styles and then quickly reflect upon them with a host of community leaders such as Dr. Clint Longenecker, Jim Haudan, Dan Watson, Chrys Peterson, Kristi Hoffman, Azure Grey, and many more.
And this was the second year I not only invested the time for myself to engage in this experience, but I brought a team of my talented employees with me. Why wouldn’t I want to surround my business with the most capable workforce? Wouldn’t you?
So how do you tap into the surging fountain of energy we call EPIC Toledo? Simple…show up…you’ll get it.
And here’s the good news. There is no one path to get involved in EPIC Toledo. We have events around the clock. Dip your toes in slowly with a Social or dive head first into the EPIC LEADERSHIP SUMMIT.
So as we approach an anniversary year of programming and celebrate all that EPIC Toledo has offered YPs in our region in the last 10 years, I challenge you to get engaged with what is going on. Bring your co-workers, support your employees, be a leader of great things to come.
Leadership doesn’t just happen. It requires an experience. Come experience it with EPIC TOLEDO.
And this was the second year I not only invested the time for myself to engage in this experience, but I brought a team of my talented employees with me. Why wouldn’t I want to surround my business with the most capable workforce? Wouldn’t you?
So how do you tap into the surging fountain of energy we call EPIC Toledo? Simple…show up…you’ll get it.
And here’s the good news. There is no one path to get involved in EPIC Toledo. We have events around the clock. Dip your toes in slowly with a Social or dive head first into the EPIC LEADERSHIP SUMMIT.
So as we approach an anniversary year of programming and celebrate all that EPIC Toledo has offered YPs in our region in the last 10 years, I challenge you to get engaged with what is going on. Bring your co-workers, support your employees, be a leader of great things to come.
Leadership doesn’t just happen. It requires an experience. Come experience it with EPIC TOLEDO.
 | Matt Yarder is the Vice President of The Yarder Manufacturing Company, a fourth generation family business, and 2016 Chair of the EPIC Toledo Advisory Council. |
Please contact Emily Dammeyer, Communications Manager, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce with questions, comments or suggestions about our blog.
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