Step Into Leadership with the Elgin Area Leadership Academy

Are you looking to get more involved in your community? Gain firsthand knowledge of local organizations and make a lasting impact?

The Elgin Area Leadership Academy (EALA), founded by the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce in 1991, is inviting community members to join its 2025-26 class of leaders.

EALA is an award-winning program dedicated to educating, developing, and empowering current and future leaders. EALA inspires participants to engage with civic, charitable, and business organizations, strengthening the Elgin area. Since its inception, over 600 individuals have graduated from this transformative experience.

The program continues to shape leaders and enrich the greater Elgin community. “We are currently recruiting participants for the Class of 2025-26,” said Carol Gieske, President & CEO of the Elgin Area Chamber. “This is your opportunity to connect, grow, and become part of a critical and expanding leadership community.”

Recent 2023 graduates found their EALA experience very beneficial. “I cannot recommend it highly enough for anyone looking to grow personally and professionally,” says Emily Tyler, director of development, Food For Greater Elgin. “It provides connections with many of the key leaders in the community – in education, local government, non-profits, community organizers, healthcare, and local business owners. EALA did that and so much more. It didn’t just connect me with others; it immersed me in the heart of Elgin’s vibrant network of leaders, advocates, and changemakers. I gained insight, inspiration, and a deeper sense of belonging.”

Denise Momodu, Associate Planner for the City of Elgin agrees. “I was drawn to the program’s emphasis on collaboration, learning, and service, and I wanted to challenge myself to step outside my comfort zone, gain new perspectives, and strengthen my leadership skills in a meaningful way. Without a doubt. EALA is an incredible experience that I would encourage anyone to be part of.”

EALA consists of 12 Saturday morning sessions from September 27, 2025, through May 2, 2026, running from 8 a.m. to noon. Participants will gain insight into: Leadership development, Volunteerism and board governance, ethics and social justice, health and economic development.

A key highlight is the exclusive bus tour, providing an inside look at Elgin’s civic, business, nonprofit, educational, and healthcare sectors. EALA provides hands-on opportunities and interactions with the City of Elgin, local education and healthcare institutions, businesses, not for profits, and much more to develop and expand each individual's leadership qualities.

Ready to lead? Now is the time to join this impactful network. Apply now at www.elginchamber.com/eala.