The 24th class of Leadership Northwest Missouri is pictured during its recent opening retreat at Conception Abbey in Conception, Missouri. Class members, from left to right, are: first row –  Ethan Piveral, Richard Switzer, and Rebecca TenHulzen; second row –  Jordan Wright, Ashley Turner, and Jeff Agnew; third row – Shelby Wood, Vanessa Slemp, and Nevada Fields; fourth row – Chris Martin, Lauren Dannar, and Tocarra Williams; fifth row – Cydney Andrews, Nicole Lynch, and Isaura Garcia; sixth row – Amanda Zessi, Victoria Masucci, and Carolynn Sollars; seventh row – Rachel Brown, Valarie Shisler, Olivia Burchett, and Sarah Battreall; and back row – Wes Rockwood and David Woody.

Twenty-four women and men make up the 2024 class of Leadership Northwest Missouri, an annual series of sessions that bring together existing and emerging leaders from throughout a 19-county region to discover and sharpen their leadership skills, explore regional issues, and build a network of contacts throughout Northwest Missouri.

The 2024 class began with a two-day retreat January 24 and 25 at Conception Abbey. The participants will gather monthly for day-long sessions in varied locations throughout the region. The series concludes with a July 11 graduation celebration in Jamesport, Missouri.

Members of the 2024 class and the 12 counties they represent include Jeff Agnew, Ethan Piveral, and Vanessa Slemp.

Leadership Northwest Missouri has become the catalyst for identifying, training, and connecting the leaders of our region and is a pathway for effective leadership for generations to come. There is a deliberate focus on fostering a sense of ownership for the region – that we have interdependent roles and we depend on each other for the progress and success of Northwest Missouri.

For more information on Leadership Northwest Missouri contact Kendra Pickering at http://www.leadershipnorthwestmissouri.org