The Flagship Program

The Leadership Lynchburg Flagship Program is designed for aspiring or emerging leaders, managers, and first time supervisors in the Lynchburg region. This dynamic program immerses participants in nine months of study and practical application of community leadership. Through monthly sessions, participants learn from top leaders in our region, study and work together to solve pressing community issues, all while developing their personal leadership skills. Participants walk away with increased self-awareness, leadership acumen, community connections and involvement.

What You’ll Learn

Through our nationally award winning program you’ll learn the tools and practice the following:

  • 5 practices of exemplary leaders
  • Visioning and living your values
  • 3 core values of Leadership Lynchburg
  • Effective teamwork
  • Project management
  • Public speaking and effective presentations
  • Online engagement best practices
  • Civil dialogue
  • Consensus building

September 3, 5:15-7 PM
Opening Reception- Meet Your Classmates! 
Packet Pick Up
Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance  

September 18, 8:30 AM-5 PM
Opening Retreat Day 1
*Mandatory
Florence Elston Inn, Sweet Briar College 

September 19, 8:30 AM-1 PM
Opening Retreat Day 2
*Mandatory
Florence Elston Inn, Sweet Briar College

September 24, 9 AM-12 PM
The Team Process & Team Planning
Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance

October 2, 8:30 AM-5 PM

Ropes Course Experience: Team Building and Pushing Through Goals
University of Lynchburg Adventure Course 

October 15, 8:30 AM-3 PM
Session 1
Education & Workforce: Building Out Talent Pipeline
Liberty University

November 5, 8:30 AM-5 PM
Communication Retreat
The Power of Storytelling: Effective Public Speaking

December 10, 11:30 AM-5 PM
Session 2 
History of LYH and Economic Development 

Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance 

January 21, 11:30 AM-5 PM
Session 3 
Community Health & The Cost of Poverty

Location TBD

February 18, 11:30 AM-5 PM

Session 4 
A Day in the Life: Emerging Workplace Trends and How Leaders are Leading

March 18, 11:30 AM-5 PM
Session 5 – Team presentations

Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance 

April 8, 11:30 AM-5 PM
Session 6 – Team presentations
Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance

April 15, 11:30 AM-5 PM
Session 7  
The Well-Being of a Leader and The Power of Reflection 

Camp Kum Ba Ya

May 6, 11:30 AM-5PM
Session 8 – Final Session
Living your Why & The Power of Vision
Pierce Street Gateway 

May 20, 5-8:30 PM
LL48 Graduation Night
The Virginian Hotel

  1. Students are not permitted to miss more than two sessions or the equivalent number of hours.
  2. Students may not miss the opening retreat on September 20-21 for any reason.
  3. The opening retreat is crucial to this program for foundational learning, the personality debrief and the forming of each team. Students must be an active participant in all sessions, but especially in the group project portion.
    • Team project participation will involve meeting and activities outside of regular program
      sessions and is likely to require 30 or more hours over the course of nine months.
  4. Students are expected to interact with other participants and staff with a positive attitude towards the program and the successful completion thereof.
$1295 – Early Bird Tuition for applications received April 1-May 1, 2026
$1,695 – Regular Tuition for applications received May 1-June 5, 2026

Nominations & Applications accepted April 1 - June 5.
Selections July 2026.
Applicants notified by August 3rd, 2026.

Thank you to our sponsors

Shani & Nathan Roberts
Katie Justice

Meet Our Most Recent Class