Leadership Oakland

Today Leadership Oakland announced the line-up for their popular “Breakfast of Champions” series.  The series is intended for members, guests and the general public and offers a delicious plated breakfast, networking and outstanding speakers.

Kicking off the series November 17, 2009 is Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson who will discuss leadership lessons he has learned throughout his personal and professional life.  On January 19, 2010, Wall Street Journal columnist and co-author of “The Last Lecture” will talk about the leadership lessons he has gleaned from his years of writing about defining moments in people’s lives.  Taking your organization to a higher level through a strengths-based approach will be the theme of the February 17, breakfast featuring authorsand Wayne State Professors, Jacqueline Stavros and Clarence Rivette.  The series will wrap up April 21, 2010 with author and Executive Coach Jacqueline Binkert presenting a proven approach to achieving personal goals and creating your own desired future.

“The series features outstanding individuals that are leaders themselves and will both challenge and inspire others to become better leaders personally, professionally and through service to others” stated Carla Gribbs, Regional Manager for DTE and President of the Leadership Oakland Board. “We all can grow in our leadership abilities and our presenters this year bring a rich expertise and depth of wisdom that I am personally looking forward to.”

Breakfast of Champions reservations may be purchased individually or for a discounted series price.  Complete details and registration information can be found here: http://leadershipoakland.com/index.php/breakfast-of-champions

 

Leadership Oakland opened its 20th Anniversary Year with a retreat for this year’s class LOXX.  In the tradition of Leadership Oakland, the new class gathered at a rustic camp and experienced team building, personal leadership assessment and goal setting, and learning about Oakland County, the region and the state.  Class members represent a wide range of corporations, educational institutions, and non-profit agencies in the region.  All are leaders interested in further developing their own understanding of the region and state and the challenges and resources that impact our businesses and communities.  

In keeping with the spirit of Leadership Oakland, the retreat experience is intended to build relationships among class members as the basis for learning together.  The class will be deciding on a class service project later in the year which provides an applied learning opportunity.  Class member Kelly Miller of the Greater West Bloomfield Coalition penned a note to LO staff stating, “Thank you for such a warm welcome to Leadership Oakland.  The retreat was a wonderful experience and I left feeling connected to the group…I look forward to the year ahead as a member of LOXX-Best Class Ever!!”

In the spirit of responsible leadership and in alignment with established best practices for Non-Profits, the Leadership Oakland Board of Directors met recently to review and discuss future strategic direction.  The Board uses a "Balanced Scorecard" approach to planning and reporting.  The four areas of measurement include: Finance, Relationship Management/Customer Satisfaction, Programs & Services, and Processes and Infrastructure.  "I am happy to report that we are in extremely good shape as an organization and our financial outlook is very healthy.  Through careful management and selective programming, we are weathering the economic situation without any sort of set-back." reported Carla Gribbs, Board President and a Regional Manager for DTE.  "We have found that in these turbulent times, Leadership Oakland is the "go-to" organization for solid business and personal connections.  Our members are very to loyal to one another and to Leadership Oakland."  
 
The Leadership Oakland Board welcomed new members: Kristie Veenstra, Humana; Henry Tanaka, Oakland Community College; Scott Hiipakka, Patriot Services; and Michelle Crockett, Miller Canfield.  Other Board members include: Mario Agosta, HAP; Joscelyn Andrews, United Way for Southeastern MI; Geg Capler, Litpac Inc; Christopher deMovellan, DeMovellan International; Lynda Earhart Oakland County; Jim Giszcsak, Butzel Long; Carla Gribbs, DTE Energy; Charlon Hibbard, MaryKay Cosmetics; Paul Landry, UCP of Metro Detroit; Tom Lynch, U of M; Janet McPeek, Crossroads for Youth; Sue Novak, Plante & Moran, Nancy Scarlet, Oakland County; Lora Vinande, Daimler Financial.

Leadership Oakland is offering the public a chance to lend their voice to “Community Conversations” occurring all over the state facilitated by The Center for Michigan. The Center for Michigan hopes to have 10,000 Michigan residents participate.  The sessions include opening background remarks, a short video and a facilitated meeting with hand-held technology to capture results of voting on possible strategies and action steps for our state.

These conversations are a part of the Michigan's Defining Moment Public Engagement Campaign; a multi-year effort to heighten public awareness of the significant challenges and opportunities Michigan faces and tighten the focus of statewide leaders on a common ground agenda best suited to help Michigan achieve a new era of sustainable prosperity.

The session will be held at Automation Alley on August 4th from 2:30-4:30 p.m.  There is no charge to attend but pre-registration is requested by contacting Wendy Weiss 248.952.6880 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .