Leadership Rutherford

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Leadership Rutherford

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Founded in 1999, Leadership Rutherford provides an in-depth look at our county and prepares participants for leadership roles and civic involvement.

Leadership Rutherford is an eight-month program with a goal of providing participants in-depth knowledge of Rutherford County and leadership training. The class meets all day on the second Tuesday of the month, September through May. Each day has a theme, including critical issues, economic development, government, education, health care, agriculture and environment and diversity. The program starts with a half-day retreat the last Saturday in August.

10/02/2026

Leadership Rutherford Alumni — it’s time to reconnect!

Come catch up with former classmates, meet alumni from other Leadership Rutherford classes, and make new connections along the way. Enjoy an evening of fellowship, conversation, appetizers, drinks, and fall fun!

Whether you graduated last year or years ago, we’d love to see you there!

📅 October 22 | 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 Mountain Haze B**r Garden

RSVP at the link below! 🔗

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4xWNbeDAJLT4KoChjCzuvebL-z7pwBt7jhmexhIHSCxx9rg/viewform?usp=publish-editor

09/10/2026

Leadership Rutherford | Critical Issues Day

On Tuesday, the Leadership Rutherford Class took a deeper look at some of the critical issues impacting our community and the organizations working to address them.

Through meaningful conversations with local leaders, the class gained a greater understanding of challenges including food insecurity, workforce development, housing, recovery, legal services, disaster relief, and family support.

This experience was a powerful reminder that strong communities are built through collaboration, compassion, and a shared commitment to making a difference.

We’re grateful to the community leaders who shared their expertise and helped our class see Rutherford County through a broader lens.

08/26/2026

The 2027 Leadership Rutherford Cohort is officially underway!

We are thrilled to welcome this incredible group of emerging leaders and kick off what we know will be an exciting year.

Throughout the coming year, this class will have the opportunity to connect with community leaders, explore the people and organizations that make Rutherford County special, gain insight into the challenges and opportunities facing our community, and build relationships that will last well beyond the program.

We are excited to watch this group learn, grow, collaborate, and make an impact throughout their Leadership Rutherford journey. We know there are great things ahead for the Class of 2027, and we can’t wait to see all they will accomplish together!

07/13/2026

✨ Leadership Rutherford Alumni Spotlight | Brianna Wilson | Class of 2025

One of the greatest strengths of Leadership Rutherford is its ability to connect leaders from across Rutherford County, creating relationships that allow individuals to use their unique talents and perspectives to make our community stronger.

As a member of the Leadership Rutherford Class of 2025, Brianna Wilson, Marketing & Communications Coordinator at Rutherford Regional Health System, experienced that impact firsthand. Throughout the program, she connected with professionals from a variety of industries and leadership backgrounds, all united by a shared commitment to serving Rutherford County.

For Brianna, one of the most meaningful takeaways from Leadership Rutherford was the value of building relationships beyond her own profession.

“Leadership is about collaboration, learning from others, and recognizing that everyone brings unique strengths to the table. Those connections have become an invaluable resource.”

Brianna believes Leadership Rutherford strengthens our community by bringing together individuals with diverse experiences and perspectives. Through the program, participants gain a deeper understanding of local organizations, community needs, and opportunities to serve—equipping them to become more informed, engaged, and collaborative leaders.

Brianna’s journey highlights the impact of Leadership Rutherford and the meaningful relationships built along the way.

Thank you, Brianna, for your leadership and for being an important part of the Leadership Rutherford legacy.

Ready to grow your leadership skills, expand your network, and make a difference in Rutherford County? Applications for the next Leadership Rutherford class are now open!

https://www.leadershiprutherford.org

07/05/2026

Board Spotlight:
Garin Hill | Class of 2025 ⭐️

We’re proud to spotlight Garin Hill, President of Leadership Rutherford and a graduate of the Class of 2025. Garin exemplifies the mission of Leadership Rutherford through his unwavering commitment to servant leadership, community engagement, and creating a lasting impact across Rutherford County.

As Pastor of First Baptist Church in Forest City, Garin leads with integrity, compassion, and a heart for service. Beyond the church, he is actively involved in organizations throughout Rutherford County, using his leadership to strengthen the community and inspire positive change.

Congratulations, Garin, on your new role as President! Thank you for your continued leadership, service, and commitment to our community!

Learn more about Leadership Rutherford: https://www.leadershiprutherford.org

06/26/2026

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Leadership Rutherford table at Chamber Night! It was a pleasure connecting with our community and sharing more about Leadership Rutherford.

If you’re looking to grow your network, become more involved in Rutherford County, and connect with other community leaders, we’d love to hear from you!

06/22/2026

Think you know Rutherford County? Come prove it! 😃

Visit the Leadership Rutherford table during Rutherford County Chamber Night to learn more about our program, test your Rutherford County knowledge, and discover how you can get involved!

06/15/2026

Please join us in welcoming Lindsey Morgan as Leadership Rutherford’s new Facilitator!

We are excited for Lindsey to lead the next chapter of Leadership Rutherford as we continue our mission to engage, empower, and connect leaders who are committed to serving and strengthening Rutherford County. We look forward to the impact her leadership and passion will have on our program and community.

06/08/2026

What makes Rutherford County work?

Leadership Rutherford takes participants behind the scenes to meet with people, organizations, businesses, and institutions that shape our community.

Apply today at LeadershipRutherford.org for the 2026–2027 Leadership Rutherford Class. Join us as we learn, connect, and lead together.

06/07/2026

If you’ve ever thought about getting more involved, growing your perspective, or making a difference in Rutherford County, this is your moment.

Applications are open—we are ready for you to take the next step.

🔗 Apply today: https://www.leadershiprutherford.org/

Address

Rutherfordton, NC
28139

Telephone

+18282893741

Website

http://www.leadershiprutherford.com/

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