With a focus on developing effective business, community and elected leaders and recognizing the unique strengths of each program toward that goal, Leadership Albany and the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership for Institute Development announced Thursday the merger of the two programs.

The announcement took place Thursday at Leadership Albany’s 2016-2017 class graduation ceremony at L. Orene Hall at Albany State University.

“It is with great anticipation that we announce the merger of Leadership Albany and the Albany Area Chamber’s Institute for Leadership Development. Both programs have relatively similar missions: to create stronger leaders to serve our businesses and our community. By joining forces, we will only strengthen our commitment to that mission and ensure the longevity of a local leadership development program for years to come,” said Carroll Weaver, chair of the Leadership Albany Board of Directors. 

Leadership Albany was established in 1984 for the purpose of identifying and developing leaders in the Albany Area. With more than 800 alumni, the organization’s roster reads like a who’s who of area business, nonprofit and city/county leaders. The Leadership Institute started in 2015 at the urging of area businesses that saw the need for new skill sets in their workforce. 

The merger allows for the blend of the Leadership Albany program, which places a strong emphasis on building community trustees, and curriculum programs of the chamber’s Leadership Institute, which focuses on developing traits such as political awareness, media savvy and business leadership.

“The Albany Area Chamber believes in results-oriented partnerships and in the effective use of resources. Blending the strong business leadership program of the chamber’s Institute for Leadership Development with Leadership Albany’s mission to develop leaders for the common good  will provide a well-rounded experience for participants who have demonstrated a willingness and capacity to lead,” said Jenny Savelle, chair of the board of directors of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Active planning of the merger began earlier this year when the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce submitted a letter of intent to the Leadership Albany Board of Directors. A committee was then formed to discuss the feasibility of the merger and evaluate the benefits to the community and the organization.

During the next few months, the Leadership Albany Board of Directors will be releasing more information on the specifics of the merger and updated programming.