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FOCUS St. Louis supports leadership development needs of the metropolitan region by expanding the reach and diversity of programs available through a single organization. These programs help shape emerging and existing leaders, from high school juniors to executive leaders. Our strength lies in our leadership programs and our corps of leadership programs graduates who have training, interest, ability and commitment to effect positive community change.
Our flagship leadership programs Leadership St. Louis® (LSL) and Youth Leadership St. Louis (YLSL), are well-established and highly-praised regional immersion programs with selective admission. Experience St. Louis offers an orientation program for top-tier executives new to the region. In July 2011, FOCUS added two programs to our leadership portfolio— the CoroTM Fellows Program in Public Affairs and CoroTM Women in Leadership. Leadership Plenty is provided on a contract basis. See Customized Services for more information on individualized leadership training options.
Leadership St. Louis®(LSL): A nine-month program designed for recognized leaders in their respective fields who have demonstrated a deep commitment to improving the quality of life in the region. The September through May curriculum guides a selected group of diverse community professionals through a highly interactive series of cutting edge seminars on critical regional issues. The seminars include site visits and interactions with key decision makers to inspire participants to address community challenges, as well as opportunities to enhance self-awareness of leadership approaches.
Youth Leadership St. Louis (YLSL): A nine-month program developed for high school juniors form public, private and parochial schools throughout the region. The curriculum introduces, develops, and nurtures leadership skills and team-building strategies by involving the students in the issues facing our region.
Experience St. Louis (ESL): This fall/spring orientation program, jointly sponsored with the Regional Chamber and Growth Association serves executives and their spouses who are new to the region. The program broadens participants knowledge of the region, acquaints them with its formal and informal decision-making channels, introduces them to issues facing the region, and challenges them to become involved.
CoroTM Fellows Program in Public Affairs: A full-time, nine month, experiential leadership training program that prepares diverse, talented and committed individuals for effective and ethical leadership in the public affairs arena. Coro places each of its 16 participants in business, labor, nonprofit, government and electoral politics and supports the Fellows with hands-on training, interviews, and seminars to translate their ideals into action for improving their own communities and beyond. This year 16 Fellows were selected from a national pool of applicants to do their year-long Fellowship in St. Louis.
Women in LeadershipTM (WIL): A five-month program designed to provide an opportunity for women with management or entrepreneurial leadership experience to refine their personal and professional leadership competencies, learn about the community, and connect with other women in the St. Louis Community. This program is run in the fall and the spring.
Emerging Leaders: Six impactful sessions aimed at developing leadership and management skills for St. Louis young professionals age 22-35. Class size will be limited to approximately 20 participants, and sessions will be held at the FOCUS St. Louis office. The pilot Emerging Leaders program ran in the spring of 2012.