The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce will host the graduation for its inaugural class of the Institute for Leadership Development Thursday, May 7, 2015, from 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. at the Flint RiverQuarium.

The Institute for Leadership Development effectively utilizes the resources of the chamber to develop and enhance leadership skills of young professionals with a focus on essential skills for business, community and personal growth. The program and curriculum were designed after a year of planning by the chamber’s Leadership Development Committee.

“Leadership development is an ongoing process. Our Institute for Leadership Development builds upon the professional skills of our participants through a comprehensive curriculum and our mentor-mentee program,” said Bridges Sinyard, chair of the chamber’s Leadership Development Committee.

The mentor-mentee component pairs leaders with young professionals who can learn from their experience and knowledge. Along with mentorship, the curriculum provides a genuine and detailed focus on several key leadership qualities, including effective networking; effective delegation; understanding leadership style; visioning and strategic planning; political savvy; influence and negotiation; image and the media.

“Leadership doesn’t just come from the top; it can come from many levels of a business’ personnel and management hierarchy,” said Bárbara Rivera Holmes, interim president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. “The chamber is extremely proud of the Institute for Leadership Development and of the graduates of its inaugural class.”

The Institute for Leadership Development Class of 2014-2015 

· Rashelle Beasley, Albany Convention & Visitors Bureau

· Rob Douglass, Mauldin & Jenkins

· Courtland Harris, Draffin & Tucker

· Erin Hutchins, Albany YMCA

· April James, HeritageBank of the South

· Sarah Kirk, Albany Area Primary Health Care

· Dr. Kimberly Lee, Albany Technical College

· Kyle Nichols, Mauldin & Jenkins

· Gary Sanders, First Mount Olive Baptist Church

· Bill Usher, CTSI

· Krissy Waller, MCLB Albany

· Dana White, AB&T

· Erica Wilson, MCLB Albany

Follow the chamber at albanyga.com and on Facebook.