Windsor resident Leilany Rivera recently completed Leadership Greater Hartford's (LGH) Quest Program. Quest is the most recognized community-based leadership development program for professionals working throughout the Greater Hartford region, a landmark initiative of LGH for more than three decades. The program brings together rising and established professionals from the corporate, government, nonprofit, academic, and small business sectors and provides them with the opportunity to build the skills, contacts and knowledge of the community needed to be effective in their careers and their communities.
Rivera, Assistant Director of Administration at HARC, Inc., shares that the Quest program "has given me the motivation to pursue goals in my life I had put off for so long. One of them being the return to college after 10 years. Being around such goal-oriented and accomplished peers from different job sectors, nationalities, and ages, I had a multitude of support and encouragement to conquer personal goals that otherwise seemed far-fetched. I have truly made great friends for life."
"Professionally, the Quest program has given me the confidence to handle everyday issues at work. Working in the human service non-profit field, there are many personalities to navigate. As a leader, Quest gave me the knowledge to understand and empower my staff. It was through this learning process with Quest that I ultimately received a promotion at work."
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Quest consists of workshops, field experiences and, central to the program, a community service learning component that partners with various nonprofits in the Greater Hartford region. Through hands-on community projects, Quest participants work in teams and learn the tools and insights needed to become collaborative leaders, think creatively, act collaboratively and take purposeful risks. This real-world experience is invaluable to assuring positive leadership growth and development.
Rivera worked on a taskforce with the Oak Hill School on a new, all abilities/inclusive wellness facility that is being built in Bristol. Rivera's group produced a video montage for marketing, as well as a recruitment plan for staff and facility members. The wellness center is projected to open in late 2014 or early 2015.
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Leadership Greater Hartford (LGH) is accepting applications and nominations for those interested in Quest 2014. Fifty professionals will be selected to participate in the program. The class begins in January. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so apply now to develop your leadership skills, build your professional network, and bring change to the community. For more information contact Ana Valentin-Jackson, Program Director, at (860) 951-6161 x22 or e-mail ana.valentin-jackson@leadershipgh.org.
Leadership Greater Hartford is the most comprehensive nonprofit community leadership organization in the country. It offers leadership training to individuals ranging from high school age to retirees, with community service projects featured in nearly all of its programs. These projects and the program graduates continue to have lasting impact in the Hartford region. For more information about how to be a participant or sponsor with Leadership Greater Hartford, call Katy Bannister at 860-951-6161 (x18), email info@leadershipgh.org, visit www.leadershipgh.org, or like it on Facebook.
