KENOSHA, Wis. — Leadership Kenosha will celebrate the graduation of its 2025–2026 cohort this spring, recognizing nearly two dozen emerging community leaders who completed the program designed to strengthen civic and professional leadership across the Kenosha area.
The Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce announced that the 2026 Leadership Kenosha Graduation Celebration will take place Thursday, May 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Circa on Seventh, located at 4902 7th Ave. The event will honor 19 participants representing 18 different organizations who completed the year-long leadership development program.
Leadership Kenosha is a program aimed at cultivating both established and emerging leaders by helping participants develop practical leadership skills such as communication, conflict management, relationship building, and problem-solving while increasing their involvement in the community.
This year’s graduating class includes Bill Blanck of Flannery Fire; Benjamin Bruno of Community State Bank; Sierra Dlamini of United Way of Kenosha; Matthew Emberton of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections; Stephanie Frost and Scott Hill of City of Hope; Jeffrey Galley of the Kenosha Police Department; Armon Harris of the Shalom Center; Scott Krueger of the Kenosha Fire Department; Pamela Lowrey of Gateway Technical College; Amy Malczewski of Carthage College; Kendall Needham of the Hope Council; Lauren Neri of Uline; Ashley Sosa-Coyoc of Educators Credit Union; Jordan Spriegel of ARCOA Group; Kilea Steinke of Hospice Alliance; Brian VanDenLangenberg of Aurora Health Care; Calvin Watts of UW-Parkside; and Jason Yule of Catalyst Exhibits.
During the program, participants take part in sessions that highlight key issues affecting the Kenosha community. One session in November focused on human services in Kenosha County and featured a panel discussion with nonprofit leaders who discussed community needs, barriers to accessing services, and collaborative efforts among local agencies.
The graduation celebration will also feature two awards recognizing leadership and community engagement. The Distinguished Alumnus Award honors a past Leadership Kenosha graduate who demonstrates exceptional leadership and impact in the community. Nominations for that award are being accepted through March 16.
Another recognition, the Best in Class Award, will go to the alumni class with the highest attendance at the graduation event. The winning group will be given the opportunity to direct a $250 donation to a nonprofit organization of their choice.
“Coming together as community leaders at the annual graduation celebration is something that I now always look forward to,” said Marisa Markowski, chairperson of the Leadership Kenosha steering committee and a 2021 program graduate. “It’s impactful to honor our community’s leaders and hear more about their experience. We invite you to come witness and celebrate their accomplishments.”
Tickets for the graduation celebration will be available through April 30. Organizers say sponsorship opportunities are also available through April 1.
Leadership Kenosha is presented by the Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the University of Wisconsin–Parkside and other community leaders. The program focuses on developing inclusive leadership skills while encouraging participants to engage with real-world community challenges and projects.
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2 Responses
Nineteen?! That’s a lot of leading. Leadership is the latest trend.
Not really, just some good folks trying to make a difference. Maybe you should try.