Empower Kearney / 2026-27

Leadership is not a title. It's a skill.

Empower Kearney: Leadership Academy is a nine-month experience designed to grow confident, connected, community-minded leaders who are ready to lead well at work, in service, and throughout the Kearney area.

Enroll in the Academy

Leadership FoundationsPersonal GrowthCivic Awareness

Empower Kearney participants at Fire and Rescue — Community History / Civic Awareness

Leadership Academy participants in discussion — Leadership Foundations / Personal Growth

Empower Kearney inaugural cohort — Mentorship & Growth

A Leadership Experience Built for Kearney

The Kearney Chamber of Commerce created the Empower Kearney: Leadership Academy to invest in the people who are shaping the future of our businesses, organizations, schools, nonprofits, and community.

Leadership is not reserved for CEOs, executives, or people with a certain title. Leadership is a practicable, learnable skill that grows through self-awareness, service, communication, trust, and a willingness to keep learning.

Through monthly sessions, guest instructors, community education, personal growth work, and meaningful connection, participants gain tools they can immediately use in their workplace, volunteer roles, and everyday leadership.

A leadership experience built for Kearney

Practice it. Apply it. Live it.

Empower Kearney: Leadership Academy meets monthly from September through May, with a recognition luncheon following the completion of the program. Each session combines leadership instruction, discussion, reflection, hands-on learning, and community education. Program Length: 9 months Sessions: Monthly, September–May Format: Leadership lessons, guest instructors, assessments, group discussion, community education, and applied learning Attendance: Participants are expected to attend all sessions Recognition: Graduates are formally recognized during the last Academy session. Guests and Employers are invited to attend.

Member tuition$699Non-member tuition$955Program scheduleSeptember-May

Self-awarenessCommunicationTeam cultureCommunity knowledgeResilience

Enroll in the Leadership Academy

Leadership Academy participants at Kearney Fire and Rescue — Well-Being / Resilience

Leadership Academy participants meeting at the Chamber — Communication & Trust

Empower Kearney Leadership Academy participants — Leadership Sustainability

Who the Academy serves

Leadership growth for every kind of contributor.

Leadership is not reserved for executives or people with a certain title. It is a learnable skill that grows through self-awareness, service, communication, trust, and continued practice.

The Academy brings together professionals from businesses, schools, nonprofits, civic organizations, and community-focused companies throughout Kearney and the KC Northland.

Download the 2026 syllabus

Emerging leaders

Individuals preparing to take on more responsibility, lead teams, or step into new opportunities.

Business & organizational Leaders

Owners, managers, directors, and professionals who want to strengthen culture, communication, and trust.

Community-Minded Professionals

People who want to better understand Kearney, Clay County, and the organizations shaping our future.

Nonprofit, Civic & Volunteer Leaders

Those serving through boards, committees, ministries, service organizations, and community initiatives.

What you will gain

Tools that leave the room with you.

This is leadership development designed to be practiced, applied, and lived—not theory for a binder.

Self-awareness

Understand personal strengths, habits, values, and the way your leadership affects others.

Communication

Build trust, handle difficult conversations, and communicate with greater clarity.

Servant leadership

Lead by example and connect everyday decisions to service and purpose.

Team culture

Influence healthier teams and workplaces, even without formal authority.

Purpose and brand

Clarify your why, values, and authentic leadership presence.

Civic connection

Understand local government, education, public safety, human services, and regional partners.

How the Academy works

Nine months. One connected learning arc.

Participants meet monthly from September through May and are expected to attend every session. Graduates are formally recognized during the final Academy session, with guests and employers invited.

Each day combines instruction, guest leaders, assessment, group discussion, community education, reflection, and applied learning.

Sessions move from personal foundations into communication, trust, team culture, mentorship, civic awareness, resilience, and leadership in action.

The next cohort begins September 2026. Space is intentionally limited so discussion, connection, and engagement remain meaningful.

Each session is designed to help participants grow personally, lead more effectively, and better understand the community they serve.

Leadership foundations

Personal growth, self-awareness, purpose, values, and your why.

Leading by example

Servant leadership, trust, responsibility, and everyday influence.

Communication and culture

Stronger conversations, team health, vulnerability, and mentorship.

Community history

Kearney's story, civic awareness, and the systems shaping the region.

Community in practice

Local government, public safety, education, and human services.

Sustainable leadership

Well-being, resilience, continued growth, action, and final reflection.

Why employers invest

Grow the person. Strengthen the organization.

Strong leaders build stronger teams, healthier workplaces, and more engaged communities.

Each session is designed to help participants grow personally, lead more effectively, and better understand the community they serve.

Participants return with improved self-awareness, stronger communication skills, a broader community network, and a deeper understanding of how local businesses, schools, nonprofits, and civic partners work together.