Developing the Next Generation of Leaders in Austin
Leadership Austin connects people who care with the knowledge and skills to make a difference. Learn about your community, grow as a leader, and give back in ways that matter.
APPLICATIONS OPEN IN MARCH 2026
WHAT IS LEADERSHIP AUSTIN?
Leadership Austin is a community-based education and leadership development program designed to immerse participants in the issues, opportunities, and people shaping our community.
Over the course of the program, participants explore the systems and sectors that make Austin thrive, including:
Business & Agriculture – the backbone of our local economy
Politics & Public Safety – how decisions are made and carried out
Education – preparing the next generation
Health Care & Human Services – caring for our community
Diversity & Quality of Life – celebrating what makes Austin unique
Through hands-on learning, candid conversations, and behind-the-scenes experiences, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Austin, and how you can make a lasting impact.
In Leadership Austin, you will learn much about your community. You will give back even more.
Why Leadership Austin?
Build
Identify, cultivate and inspire successive generations of community leaders to take action and accountability to face the challenges facing the Austin area.
Gain Stakeholders
Connect next local and business leaders to care and be involved within the community.
Relationship Building
Explore interrelationships of the local area with government and business.
Sponsorship
Investors in this program know the value of investing in our future leaders to support our region long-term.
2025-2026 COHORT SCHEDULE
Regular monthly sessions occur on the second Thursday of each month - September through May, from 7:30am - 4:00pm.
August 21, 2025 - Social Kickoff
September 11, 2025 - Opening Session
October 10, 2025 - Quality of Life & Diversity
November 13, 2025 - Ag & Agribusiness Day
December 11, 2025 - Government Day
January 8, 2026 - Business Day
February 12, 2026 - Education Day
March 6, 2026 - Public Safety Day
April 9, 2026 - Community Healthy Services Day
May 14, 2026 - Final Presentations, Graduation
Meet the 2025-2026 Cohort
Rhonda Akkerman
Akkerman Inc.
Oliver Ballinger
Hormel Foods Corporation
Katie Baskin
Austin Public Schools
Courtney Borgen
Semcac
Anna Good
Hormel Foods Corporation
David Guinovart
The Hormel Institute - UMN
Nathan Hajek
Hormel Foods Corporation
Brian Hale
The Hormel Institute - UMN
Ernest Hammero
City of Austin
Michael Harvey
Mower County
Tracy Hauschildt
Mower County Sheriffs Office
Elizabeth Kellner
Nexus-Gerad Family Healing
Madalyn Klapperic
Hormel Foods Corporation
Sarah Knudsen
Austin Public Schools
Brandy Lindquist
First Farmers & Merchants Bank
Lukas Marty
Hormel Foods Corporation
Nicholas McGrath
Pacelli Catholic Schools
Marysa Moe
Public Relations Administrator
Melissa Molina
Quality Pork Processors
Michelle Orozco
Austin Utilities
Chel Page
With Ella
Matias Parada
Austin Area Chamber of Commerce
Riley Paramenter
Hormel Foods Corporation
Melissa Rossman
Hormel Foods Corporation
Brayson Shew
YMCA of Austin Minnesota
Meghan Wieber
Hormel Foods Corporation
Kenneth Zuniga
Hormel Foods Corporation
THANK YOU 2025/26 LEADERS
Peggy Young
Riverland Community College
Eric Rahrmann
The Homrel Institute - UMN
Patty Tewes
First Farmers & Merchants Bank
Davie Pike
Mower County Sheriff's Office
Joe Bower
Austin Area Chamber of Commerce
