Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Individuals looking to strengthen their leadership skills, expand their professional network and make a lasting impact in Kosciusko County are encouraged to apply for the upcoming 2026-27 Kosciusko Leadership Academy (KLA) class, which begins this August.
For more than four decades, KLA has equipped emerging and established leaders with the knowledge, relationships and experiences needed to better serve their organizations and the community. Through monthly leadership sessions, participants gain an in-depth understanding of Kosciusko County while building connections across business, education, government, healthcare, nonprofit organizations and industry, according to a news release from KLA.
Community members interested in learning more about the program are invited to visit the KLA table at the upcoming WE LEAD Kosciusko Volunteer & Community Engagement Event Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion, Warsaw. Hosted by WE LEAD, the event connects residents with local organizations and opportunities to volunteer, serve and become more involved in the community. KLA representatives and alumni will be available to answer questions about the program and share how leadership development can translate into meaningful community impact.
"KLA has served this county since 1981 and provides outstanding networking and leadership development opportunities for people across a wide spectrum of industries and organizations," said Allyn Decker, executive director of KLA. "Many of the local amenities and programs we enjoy started as KLA whitepaper projects, including our greenway trail system, the Miller Sunset Pavilion, the Winona Lake Park SplashPad and the new fieldhouse under construction at Grace College."
Each year, KLA participants work together on collaborative whitepaper projects that address real opportunities and challenges facing Kosciusko County. Many of these ideas have evolved into initiatives that continue to improve the quality of life for residents throughout the county. Beyond the projects themselves, KLA creates lasting relationships and inspires graduates to remain active and engaged leaders in the community.
"I am grateful for the opportunity I had to participate in KLA this past school year. The relationships I built and the experiences I gained through this program will benefit me throughout my career. I hope that, for myself and my fellow recent cadets, the momentum of being active and engaged community members does not stop here but continues for years to come,” said Lukas Rife, 2025-26 KLA graduate. “"WE LEAD Kosciusko is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to learn more about ways to get involved in our community. I encourage you to attend the event and discover how you can make a difference."
Professionals from all industries, backgrounds, and career stages are encouraged to apply for the upcoming class.
Applications are available at www.kosciuskoleadership.org/apply.
For questions about the program or application process, contact Ben Rice, recruitment committee, at ben.rice@lakecitybank.com.
