Signature Program

Leadership Toledo's Signature Program balances service and volunteerism with personal growth.

Participants develop a deeper understanding of our region, its strengths, and many of the challenges it faces. At the same time, they'll have the opportunity to explore their own skills and talents, and use them to improve and enrich our community.

This ten-month experiential program provides individuals with the opportunity to become more confident leaders, connect with the community on a deeper level, grow stronger in self-awareness, and serve in ways that are meaningful to them. Participants from diverse backgrounds and professions come together each month for intensive sessions that focus on community needs and issues, and define the roles they can play in addressing those needs.

The Signature Program focuses on providing valued content through hands-on learning experiences, site visits, guest speakers, and conversations with thought leaders from across the Toledo community.

Each session is designed to help participants gain a better understanding of key community topics and ways to further their own engagement. In addition to the regular sessions, participants take part in a self-selected community project benefitting a local non-profit organization. Leadership Toledo seeks candidates who have already exhibited leadership in their respective spheres of influence and desire to grow as leaders and members of the community. Our goal is to assemble a class that represents the greater Toledo community and is as diverse as possible to enrich the learning experience for all.

Participants

The class size is limited to 55 individuals.

Tuition

Tuition is $3,625 and includes all materials and lunch at every session.

Scholarships

Partial scholarships are available for those facing financial barriers to participation.

Applications for the 2025 - 2026 Signature Open Spring of 2025. Contact Arika Michaelis with any questions.

Goals & Objectives

Leadership Toledo exists to cultivate a community of leaders dedicated to serving with authenticity and purpose. Since 1980, Leadership Toledo has worked to inspire community involvement in over 2000 individuals highlighting Toledo has a special place to call home.

As the source for creating and retaining Toledo champions and ambassadors, we encourage participants to:

Lead: Become more confident leaders
Connect: Connect with their community on a deeper level
Grow: Grow in stronger self-awareness
Serve: Identify service that is meaningful to them

Who Should Apply?

You might consider applying for our Signature Program if the following qualities describe you:

  • Passion for the people and the future of our area

  • Personal commitment to shaping Toledo’s future

  • Commitment to community through past and present activities

  • Demonstrated leadership within your organization and/or community

  • Desire to engage, connect with, and learn from cross-sector leaders with different perspectives

  • Have the ability to make the time commitment required with the full support of the applicant’s employer

Why Apply?

  • The Signature Program provides a return on investment for individuals, their organizations, and the community at large. Leadership Toledo acts as a catalyst to cultivate leaders of all ages and cultures by connecting them to people, knowledge, experiences, and opportunities.

    The purpose of the Signature Program is to transform a highly motivated group of individuals into a network of leaders with knowledge and commitment to benefit the entire area. In addition to providing on-site, experiential knowledge of the greater Toledo community, they’ll also get an understanding of how growing their leadership skills can positively impact other aspects of their lives.

Time Commitment

September - June

  • Attendance is mandatory during opening retreat (takes place over the course of two days, no overnights)

  • Sessions take place once per month, during the traditional workday, varying Monday through Friday. Additionally, program participants take part in a self-selected community project benefitting a local non-profit organization. Time dedicated to the project varies but can require 2-4 hours per month.

Outcomes

Lead:

  • Understand the importance of community leadership

  • Identify opportunities where you can plug in as a leader in your own community based on your passions

Connect:

  • Build a network for peer mentorship across sectors and industries

  • Leverage connections and collective resources that facilitate innovative solutions

  • Be a part of a broad group—of current participants and alumni—dedicated to building community together

Grow:

  • Expand self-awareness

  • Incorporate different points of view in decision-making

  • Form deep, lasting and meaningful relationships and partnerships

Serve:

  • Develop a broader understanding of public issues and policies-

  • Drive and facilitate public dialogue

  • Inspire others in discovering the opportunities and challenges our community faces