Young St. Cloud Leaders Selected For Prestigious Training

(KNSI) – Eight young professionals from the St. Cloud area have been chosen to participate in a leadership program.

The Minnesota Young American Leaders Program (MYALP) selected Amelia Barkley, Communications and Program Specialist for the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation, Kendra Norton Dando, Education Director for GREAT Theatre, Brady DeGagne, Director of Programming and Facilities for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota, Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Kristy Modrow, Student Relations and Experiential Learning Director for St. Cloud State University’s School of Public Affairs, Lacey Solheid, Orientation Specialist for Blattner Company, Nikki Sweeter, Director of Engagement for the City of Sartell and Reva Van Vleet, Donor Engagement Director for the United Way of Central Minnesota.

According to a press release, MYALP is for rising leaders to come together to focus on inclusive economic development in their cities, challenges, and concern across the state and region. The program includes education and idea-sharing. Fifty participants from Duluth, Fargo-Moorhead, Mankato, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Rochester, and St. Cloud applied and were selected.

The Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation says including this year’s members, 18 St. Cloud area young people will have attended a MYALP program. The program will be held from May 18th to the 20th at the University of Minnesota campus in the Twin Cities.

“Each year, our local cohort of impressive, young leaders returns after the sessions in Minneapolis with great ideas on how to make a difference for the Greater St. Cloud region,” said Patti Gartland, President of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation, which distributed calls for local MYALP nominations and coordinated the selection process locally. “Our community is fortunate to have a diversity of dedicated and innovative people ready to lead the next generation.”

Gartland said people chosen for MYALP have a record of civic engagement and cross-sector collaborations.