Mount Pleasant, Iowa – May 13, 2025 – The Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a recognition ceremony this week to celebrate the graduation of the 2024-2025 Henry County Leadership class. Over the past nine months, participants engaged in a wide-ranging leadership development journey designed to prepare them for service and leadership within their communities.
The program, organized in partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach – Henry County, provided class members with valuable opportunities to interact with local business and community leaders, tour a variety of workplaces, and complete the “Leading Communities” curriculum—a program specifically tailored to building civic leadership capacity.
Henry County Leadership’s mission is to cultivate a continuous pipeline of well-prepared, motivated individuals ready to serve and lead. The program focuses on three core goals:
- Identifying and encouraging emerging leaders
- Strengthening leadership skills and increasing community awareness
- Empowering participants to actively contribute to the vitality of their communities
Graduates:
Samantha O’Connor, Mount Pleasant Community School District
Scarlett Craig, Southeastern Community College
Haley Rodgers, Rock Valley Physical Therapy
Kristin Brinck, Iowa State University Extension & Outreach – Henry County
Samantha Westercamp, Southeast Iowa Realty, Inc.
Court Fischer, First United Methodist Church
Nichole Hummell, iJag
Joseph Whalen, Walmart Distribution Center
Lisa Rees, City of Winfield
Riley Barton, First Interstate Bank,
“The impact of this program is seen not just in the personal and professional growth of the participants, but in the strengthened network of leaders working together for the betterment of Henry County,” said Rachel Lindeen of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance.
For more information about the Henry County Leadership program or to learn how to get involved, contact the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance at (319) 385-3101 or visit them at 124 S. Main St., Mount Pleasant, IA.