Ignite Community Leadership Classes are Going Strong

The Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce unveiled a new Leadership Program for the Fergus Falls community in 2024. It’s called Ignite Community Leadership, and the program is designed to bring together emerging and existing leaders to explore leadership within themselves and for their community. 

Participants in Ignite classes will develop and enhance their leadership skills, grow professional relationships, explore new leadership responsibilities, and foster an understanding of the forces affecting the Fergus Falls area. The chamber is developing the best, brightest, and most energetic people who want to build the skills necessary to assume leadership roles within their organizations and throughout their communities. They are learning from community experts in their field of expertise!

The 2025 Ignite Program began in January. After completing eleven class sessions, this year’s class will graduate on May 21. 

Ignite classes are kept small (12 participants) with topics taught by experts in the field. Below are a few pictures from this year’s class sessions. 

The Class of 2025 toured the Otter Tail County Historical Society Museum with OTCHS Director Chris Schuelke. Pictured left to right: Amanda Spohr (Leighton Media), Brady Stadum (Advanced Auto Care), Tad Budke (Park Region), Becky Bjerke (Gate City Bank),  Quinten Ulschmid (Carr’s Tree Service), Chris Schuelke (OTCHS), Curtis Sandahl (Olson Oil Company), Angie Crummy (Lake Region Healthcare), Anna Drenth (YMCA of the Northern Sky), Rose Dornbusch (Vector Windows), Spencer Sikkink (SCR Solutions) and Sydney Steffen-White (Otter Tail Power Company). Not pictured: Alisha Helgeson (FM Bank). 

Later this year, the Chamber will open up the application to enroll in the 2026 Ignite Program. If you or someone you know would be interested in participating in this program please watch for a sign-up! If you have questions about the program, feel free to reach out to Lisa Workman at (218)736-6951.