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Leadership Charleston
Cultivating, inspiring and challenging our region's leaders

Through community immersion and interactions with diverse leaders, Leadership Charleston is cultivating leaders and igniting the advancement of the Charleston metro. For over 50 years, the Chamber has been offering an intensive and up-close look at the most challenging issues and opportunities facing our region. This 10-month long program engages our region's brightest leaders in uniquely crafted experiences that inform and engage participants so that they can have a meaningful impact on the future of our region.

5 Reasons to Apply
Expand your leadership capacity through immersion into the realities and opportunities of our community
Collaborate with the region’s top community leaders and organizations
Develop deep relationships with a network of diverse colleagues
Gain valuable insight into the most challenging issues facing our region
Inspire change in our region
Meet the Class of 2024

We are excited to welcome the newest Leadership Charleston class, with over 70 business leaders! Upon graduating in June 2024, class participants will become Leadership Charleston Alumni a distinguished group of leaders that includes Chamber Board of Directors, elected officials and prominent local leaders.

Meet the Class

Class of 2025 Program Information

Eligibility:

  • Demonstrate leadership in your community.
  • Be employed by a Chamber member company.
  • Have an interest in furthering your knowledge about the Charleston Metro Area and community leadership.
  • Commit to full participation in the Leadership Charleston program – the program requires a major time commitment.
  • Attend a mandatory orientation session on August 28-29 at Wild Dunes Resort.
  • Become active participants in advancing the community and making a positive contribution to the Charleston region post-graduation.

Application Process:

  • There is a $50 fee to apply for Leadership Charleston. Once payment has been made, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to the full application.
  • A letter of endorsement must be received by June 28. This should be completed by your company Chief Executive or local area executive. This can be uploaded with your application or sent by email to tgordon@charlestonchamber.org with the subject line Leadership Charleston Letter of Endorsement.
  • Upon acceptance, a headshot and profile information will be required.
  • You will need to supply an email address that Leadership Charleston can use to communicate important program information throughout the class year. The class will also utilize social platforms for communication (Google forms, etc.).

Selection Process:

  • A committee, comprised of Leadership Charleston Alumni, thoroughly evaluates all applications through a blind process without any knowledge of who the applicant is or where they are employed. Class members are selected based on their application responses, so please answer the questions as thoroughly and thoughtfully as possible.
  • Timeline:
    • Select 2025 class participants
    • Notify all applicants of acceptance status no later than July 12
    • Tuition payment required upon acceptance and before August 15

Program Sessions & Attendance:

Leadership Charleston begins with an orientation session on August 28-29, 2024 at Wild Dunes Resort and then meets one full day per month from September 2024 through May 2025.

Each of these monthly program days is focused on a facet of the community (i.e. local government, military, philanthropy, economic development, etc.). May 2025 is a final wrap-up session and a graduation celebration.  Attendance is mandatory for the orientation on August 28-29 (Wednesday - Thursday) at Wild Dunes Resort.

After orientation, Leadership Charleston will meet for one all-day session per month from September through May. The monthly sessions are typically the third Thursday of each month. Only three absences for the one-day sessions will be allowed throughout the program. The schedule for each month’s session is below.

Class members are also required to attend community meetings, participate in a police ride-along and complete community volunteer hours during the classes duration. Volunteer service will take place outside of scheduled class days and are decided on by each participant.

  • August 28 - 29, 2024 (Wednesday - Thursday)
  • September 26, 2024 (Thursday)
  • October 17, 2024 (Thursday)
  • November, 21, 2024 (Thursday)
  • December 19, 2024 (Thursday)
  • January 16, 2025
  • February TBD, 2025
  • March 20, 2025 (Thursday)
  • April 17, 2025 (Thursday)
  • May 15, 2025 (Thursday)

Tuition:

Tuition for the Leadership Class of 2024 is $3,600 for participants employed by Chamber member firms. Upon acceptance to the class, tuition is due in full by August 15, 2024. Tuition fee payments are final and are not refundable once the applicant has accepted their spot in the class.

Look Back on Leadership Charleston's Military Day Experience

Thank You to Our Presenting Sponsors

Leadership Charleston Staff

Therese Gordon
Associate Vice President of Leadership
843.805.3007
Contact Therese
Celeste O'Keefe
Leadership & Programs Coordinator
843.805.3040
Contact Celeste