Do you have an interest or stake in your community?
Bergen LEADS is a 10-month interactive, fast-paced, and innovative leadership program for adults living or working in Bergen County. Participants learn about issues from leaders in the field, site visits, coaching corners, and expert panels. Bergen LEADS helps you see your community – and yourself – through new eyes.
Bergen LEADS offers those living or working in Bergen County an immersive opportunity to take an active role in their community, in their workplace, and wherever else they see a need for positive change.
Gain civic experience and build relationships that empower impactful leadership as a member of the 2024-2025 Bergen LEADS cohort.
Don't wait to start your leadership journey!
Find out what Bergen LEADS can do for you!
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Join us for a virtual open house where you'll hear from LEADS graduates, learn about the unique insight and skills training offered through the program, requirements for participation, and meet our Program Coordinator.
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RSVP now to receive the link straight to your inbox!
Virtual Open House
Date TBD
Applications for the 2024-2025
cohort are now open!
Seminar Days
Our monthly seminar days encompass various fields, encouraging class participants to immerse themselves in learning about the community around them from public to private sector, and more. Topics include:
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Government
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Healthcare
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Nonprofits
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Education
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Culture
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Industry
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Environment
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Law and Public Safety
Executive Coaching and Training
During this leadership training segment of the class, executive coaches train participants on topics geared towards making them effective leaders. Training topics include:
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Personality Profiles
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Communication
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Strategic Planning
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Board Training
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Crisis Management
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Networking
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Civic Engagement
Speakers & Panelists
During our seminar days Bergen LEADS participants hear directly from experts in the field, including;
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Presidents of private sector businesses
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CEOs of private sector businesses
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Elected Officials
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Public Sector Leaders
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Nonprofit Leaders
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Community Leaders
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Law and Public Safety Leaders
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Executives from the Healthcare Industry
Site Visits
Seminar days include site visits related to the theme of the day. During the site visits, participants have the opportunity to do a deep dive into the various organizations they visit, learning about operations, management, finances, employment practices, and more. Past site visits include:
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Bergen County Jail
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Barrymore Film Center
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Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
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SHARP
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Bergen Community College
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Unity Way Affordable Housing Project
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Veolia Water Treatment Plant
Class Project
Bergen LEADS has gained a reputation as a “think tank” for challenges facing Bergen County. Each year participants focus on a specific challenge, identifying the issues involved, and creating a pitch for possible solutions. In June, the graduating class presents their findings and recommendations to a panel of private and public sector leaders during a public forum.
For more information contact Rachel Feinmark at 201.489-5176 or rfeinmark@bergenvolunteers.org
Anti-Discrimination and Confidentiality Policies
Bergen Volunteers respect the confidentiality and individual rights of privacy of all Bergen LEADS
applicants. ​
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Bergen LEADS does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, affectional or sexual orientation, marital or familial status, income, disability or liability for service in the armed forces of the United States.
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The success of Bergen LEADS hinges on recruiting a diverse class whose members represent a variety of backgrounds, opinions and experiences. Bergen LEADS is committed to selecting an outstanding class of individuals who are dedicated to Bergen County and who represent the rich diversity of the County through their work, civic activities and personal qualities.
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