Leadership Jacksonville, an organization that develops youth and adult leaders in Northeast Florida, recently celebrated the graduation of its 2014 class and selected participants for its 2015 program.

The year-long program brings together approximately 55 leaders from throughout the community to learn about the First Coast, build relationships with other leaders and analyze major areas of community concern.

“Like previous classes, this year’s graduating class is comprised of some of the best and brightest leaders in Northeast Florida,” said Deborah Moore, Senior Vice President and Marketing Director at EverBank and president of the Leadership Jacksonville Board of Directors. “The Leadership Jacksonville program is a unique opportunity for participants to engage in open dialogue with those of different perspectives while examining various leadership styles and building a network of community trustees committed to the greater good of the area.”

Leadership Jacksonville recently selected its 2015 class, which will engage in two weekend retreats, one in August 2014 and one in May 2015, nine day-long programs and independent course work. The opening retreat provides structured exercises that explore the dynamics of the urban society, leadership styles and decision-making through group process. Participants learn about the community, analyze critical program areas and issues and engage in networking and leadership development opportunities. The program culminates in a closing retreat that focuses on developing a personal vision and trusteeship commitment.

 “Engaged leadership is a critical component of any successful community. The Leadership Jacksonville program provides an excellent way for our community trustees to learnabout Jacksonville’s assets as well as its potential in critical areas,” said Jill Langford Dame, executive director for Leadership Jacksonville. “We applaud our 2014 graduates and look forward to working with the 2015 class.”

The Leadership Jacksonville program actively solicits applications from all sectors of the community. Selection for each year’s class is highly competitive and criteria for selection include demonstrated leadership skills, active community involvement and a willingness to invest the time and energy required by the program. A conscientious effort is made to select participants who represent a cross-section of the community in terms of gender, race, age, income level and occupations. Classes are carefully balanced to represent the composition of the community.

To learn more about Leadership Jacksonville and its programs, visit www.leadershipjax.org or call (904) 396-6263.