A Comprehensive Community Leadership Development Program

Registration is open for Spring 2027 Watauga Leadership Challenge and Development cohorts!

Program begins on Thursday, January 21 with a Kickoff Retreat, featuring a panel with: 

• Sharon Decker, Governor Stein’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina
• Ryan Costin, President of Beech Mountain Resort
• Dr. Christine Hendren, Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation at Appalachian State University

Watauga Leadership Challenge

The Watauga Leadership Challenge class gives participants the opportunity to broaden their understanding of leadership and to see themselves as agents of change in their associations, their places of work, their community, and in their own lives.

To develop the capacity to lead, one must have a keen sense of self-awareness, an understanding of others, a recognition of how people work together in teams and organizations, and an awareness of the greater community.

Watauga Leadership Challenge strikes a balance between understanding leadership and understanding the community.  Participants will have the opportunity to interact with business and community leaders who are finding ways to bring people together for change. Watauga Leadership Challenge is designed for emerging leaders and those new to the High Country who want to build their leadership skills and their ties to the community. View 2027 Watauga Leadership Challenge Curriculum and Dates >>

SPRING 2027 WATAUGA LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE REGISTRATION FORM

NON-PROFIT REGISTRATION FORM

Watauga Leadership Development

The Watauga Leadership Development course provides participants the opportunity to take a deeper dive into understanding leadership and the competencies required for effective leadership in work, community, and in life. 

The program focuses on authentic leadership and covers competencies that are critical in the leadership process. Watauga Leadership Development is designed to be the next step for professionals with leadership experience, including WLC graduates and those who have completed a similar program in another community. View 2027 Watauga Leadership Development Curriculum and Dates >>

SPRING 2027 WATAUGA LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT REGISTRATION FORM

NON-PROFIT REGISTRATION FORM

Watauga Leadership Encore, Fall 2026 Cohort

Invest in your continued professional development by attending Encore, a course offered through the Watauga Leadership Institute, designed to further advance your personal leadership journey.

This cohort-style course offers attendees the opportunity to expand their leadership knowledge, mindset, and skills. Each two-hour session will examine a specialty topic that builds off the core elements of the Watauga Leadership Institute curriculum.