The program kick-off retreat introduces participants to the structure and expectations of the LO program while creating space to build meaningful connections with cohort peers. Participants explore their leadership strengths, behavior patterns, and growth areas, gain insight into the skill development process, and begin identifying skills they want to develop. The two day immersion lays the foundation for the creation of a personally and professionally significant goal that will guide learning and dialogue throughout the program.

This program day focuses on building a strong foundation in inclusion, belonging, equity, diversity and justice while helping participants connect these concepts to their own experiences and leadership goals. Through reflection and practice, participants explore strategies to lead with empathy, consider multiple perspectives, and foster psychological safety. The day emphasizes practical approaches to building trust and creating inclusive environments where individuals and teams can thrive.

This day highlights the Finger Lakes as a place of history, culture, and economic vitality, with a focus on Ontario County history, tourism, and local agriculture as drivers of community engagement and growth. Participants explore how tourism, food, and craft beverages contribute to the regional economy while gaining hands-on experience that deepens appreciation for these assets. The day emphasizes playful and collaborative leadership, equipping participants with practical strategies to engage teams, strengthen collaboration, and work more effectively together.

This session builds participants’ understanding of local government by exploring the levels of government, representation in Ontario County, and the roles and responsibilities that support residents through public safety and election integrity. Participants analyze a real-world case study to examine collaborative problem solving across government entities. Participants strengthen communication skills by practicing the components of an effective pitch, with the opportunity to plan, deliver, and receive feedback on a three-minute persuasive pitch relevant to their goals.

This day focuses on the educational landscape of Ontario County, highlighting the schools and organizations that support children, youth, and adults and how they collaborate to prepare learners for future education and workforce success. Participants gain leadership insights from key educational leaders in the region. The day emphasizes personal awareness while participants create a clear implementation plan for a meaningful goal. Through hands-on learning, participants practice effective communication, and feedback techniques to strengthen their ability to lead, mentor, and support others.

This day is our Leadership Showcase Conference Day, and marks the half way point of the Leadership Ontario program. During this session, each participant prepares a conference-style table presentation that highlights their organization, role, goals, leadership learning to date, and other relevant and important information. The conference includes 2-3 additional leadership workshops selected by the cohort including topics such as change management, strategic thinking, resilience, emotional intelligence, creative problem solving or other relevant leadership learning topics.

This program day offers a broad look at health systems serving Ontario County, featuring insights from executive leaders and medical providers on their impact on community well-being and the local economy. Participants explore the effects of ACEs, toxic stress, and the nervous system to better understand the connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and build skills in resiliency practices. Cohort members strengthen personal awareness and leadership choices in high-pressure situations.

This day deepens participants’ understanding of poverty and socio-economic disparities in Ontario County through current data and direct engagement with community leaders and service organizations. Participants learn about available resources, opportunities for service and leadership, and how agencies collaborate to meet diverse community needs. The day builds understanding of emotional intelligence capacity by exploring the core competencies of EQ and guiding participants to create actionable plans to apply, measure, and track EQ skill development within their organizations.

This program day explores key drivers of economic and job growth in Ontario County, with a focus on manufacturing, agriculture, and the food and beverage industries. Participants gain firsthand insight through a visit to a local manufacturer and learn how organizations collaborate with the Ontario County Office of Economic Development and Cornell AgriTech to strengthen the regional economy. The day provides dedicated time for participants to work collaboratively with their LO colleagues to review their program year and plan for their capstone presentations.

United Way Day of Caring is a massive, annual, one-day volunteer event where community members, businesses, and groups work together on various projects for local nonprofits, schools, and charities, tackling tasks like landscaping, painting, cleaning, and organizing to support vital community services and help organizations save time and money. It's often the largest single-day volunteer effort in a region, mobilizing hundreds to thousands of volunteers for hands-on community building.

This is the program graduation celebration when participants are acknowledged for their successful completion of the Leadership Ontario Program. Each participant delivers a brief capstone presentation about their learning, goal achievement and year in review. On this day, participants are able to invite employers and/or loved ones to share this celebratory event.