Leadership Fayetteville
Leadership Fayetteville, a program exclusive to the Greater Fayetteville Chamber, provides experiential learning opportunities for business professionals to gain an intimate understanding of the City and County's pressing issues and discover the hidden gems that define our unique community. The Chamber upholds the belief that a thriving community relies on effective leadership. Since 1982, the Leadership Fayetteville program, with over 900 alumni, goes beyond its duration to foster enduring connections among participants, contributing value to their respective organizations. By immersing individuals in the community and facilitating interactions with diverse leaders, Leadership Fayetteville not only nurtures leaders but also sparks progress in the Fayetteville/Cumberland County/Ft. Bragg area.
Leadership is not a destination; it is a continuous journey of self-discovery and improvement. The challenges we face as a community require leaders who are not only well-informed but also compassionate, innovative, and dedicated to the common good. Graduates will carry the lessons learned in Leadership Fayetteville with them as they embrace the responsibility that comes with leadership, and remember that true leadership is about empowering others, creating positive change, and leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Program Structure
Why Apply for Leadership Fayetteville?
- Gain insider access to the people, places, and systems shaping Fayetteville and Cumberland County
- Strengthen your leadership skills through real-world exposure, not classroom theory
- Expand your professional network with a diverse cohort of business, nonprofit, military, and civic leaders
- Deepen your understanding of community challenges and opportunities across key sectors
- Build lasting relationships that extend well beyond the program year
- Enhance your professional credibility as a recognized emerging leader in the region
- Make a meaningful impact through collaborative discussion and community-focused engagement
“Leadership Fayetteville is where informed leaders are built—not just introduced.”
Apply Today!
Space is limited. Application deadline is May 30,2026. $950 non-refundable enrollment fee due upon acceptance into the program. Email Jenny Proctor at JProctor@FayBiz.com with questions.
Program Structure
Each class day will begin with a leadership development presentation from a prominent leader within that day's theme followed by a day of site visits with guest speakers.
- September 8 - Class Team Building Retreat
- October 14 - Community Impact (Nonprofits): Dedicated to nonprofit exploration, participants visit various organizations, interact with staff, volunteers, and engage in service projects to grasp their impact firsthand.
- November 11 - Arts, Entertainment, and History: Participants immerse in the cultural scene, visiting museums, theaters, meeting artists, and learning about arts' role in community identity.
- December 9 - First Responders: Highlights the critical work of police, firefighters, and paramedics. Participants visit emergency facilities, engaging in simulations to understand first responders' challenges.
- January 13 - Government and Media: Participants engage with local government officials, gaining insights into municipal and county governance. They also explore media's role in shaping public discourse, visiting news outlets, meeting journalists, and understanding media challenges in the digital age.
- February 10 - Education: Participants visit educational institutions, meeting educators, students, and administrators to understand local education challenges and its role in socioeconomic development.
- March 10 - Health and Wellness: Delving into the healthcare system, participants visit hospitals, clinics, meet healthcare providers, and understand community health issues and wellness efforts.
- April 14 - Economic Drivers: Focuses on local economic landscape, meeting business leaders, entrepreneurs, and understanding economic growth factors.
- May 12 - Military: Participants visit Ft. Bragg/Pope Army Airfield, learning their significance locally and nationally.
May TBD - GRADUATION!
Apply Today!
Space is limited. Application deadline is May 30,2026. $950 non-refundable enrollment fee due upon acceptance into the program. Email Jenny Proctor at JProctor@FayBiz.com with questions.