“Talking about women and being a leader in the workplace really empowered me. In the very first session we talked about some of our fears and insecurities. I realized that a lot of the things that worry me also worried my cohorts. I appreciated knowing that I wasn’t alone and we are all really not that different from each other. I felt seen and understood. Since I’ve graduated I look at things differently. I am stronger. I encourage other women in my team to look at things the way I am now. I have learned so much. I feel responsible now to share this and encourage my team in a different way.”

“The Emerging Leaders program was such an amazing experience for me. Robin and Denise made me feel like an individual and I LOVED this! They had individual talks with us about our goals AND when life happened for me they kept in touch to make sure I was ok!! Even my cohort mates were wonderful. I promise this program is amazing and you will NOT regret the time spent developing yourself with other women like yourself!!“

“Initially I wasn’t sure how much I would benefit from the program. I have my master’s in management and have attended so many leadership programs. Eventually they all just run together. However, Emerging Leaders was much different. I didn’t realize how much I needed it. My engineering undergrad, my masters, and all my leadership programs have all been taught by men. I grossly underestimated hearing these concepts taught by women. It allowed me a different perspective and completely changed the way I looked at many things. To have so many women understand and agree with your past was a very powerful thing. Denise and Robin taught things in a way that had not been delivered to me before even though the content had, the way they worked through it hadn’t. It was very powerful.”

“In August 2021 I wrapped up my favorite part of the previous year – my Emerging Leaders course through Central Exchange. We met each month for a few hours and covered a variety of topics from negotiation to influence to risk-taking.

I am not exaggerating when I say I use something from this program – whether it is a tangible tool or a bit of advice – every single day at work. The program has helped me show up better for my team, be more confident and – most importantly – figure out what I ultimately want to accomplish in my career.”

“Emerging Leaders is for all women who have big ideas and need support with sharing and shaping these ideas in the rooms that matter most.

Emerging Leaders is for all women who are ready for a purposeful change within their position, their company, their agency, or community.

Emerging Leaders is a program that supports women where they’re at, on the way to where they’re going. The support in these spaces is top notch and will make any woman feel like they are capable beyond their imagination. This program will increase your resources, skill sets, confidence, and network.

Do it for you!”

“We feel fortunate at UMB to have the Emerging Leader Program at Central Exchange available to our dynamic female talent. The continued focus on providing relevant development topics and top-notch facilitators is one of the many reasons our leaders have found this program to be beneficial. Our leaders have enjoyed both the professional and personal growth they experience during their time in the program. I would recommend it to any company looking to improve how they build and retain top female talent.”

“About a month before graduation, I received the best yearly evaluation that I have had in my career to date.  Emerging Leaders has played a large part in my growth this year. The content of the program has challenged me to think and evaluate myself more than I ever have before about who I am and who I want to be as a person, colleague, peer, and leader. I have also met some outstanding women during my time that have inspired and given me the confidence I needed to take that next step.

Thank you to Denise and Robin for the time and work they put into the program and for the inspiration and confidence they bring to the women who have the opportunity to be Emerging Leaders.”

“We send women from Black & Veatch each year because the Emerging Leaders Program provides in-depth high quality programming and we see the difference it makes in our graduates. We believe in this investment, the women benefit as does our organization. Our graduates consistently tell us that this program has been very valuable to their development and is definitely worth the time that they dedicate to this initiative. Kansas City is very lucky to have such a unique program to help develop a pipeline of talented women leaders!”

“My cup was filled each month I attended the Emerging Leaders sessions. Taking the time out for yourself, your growth and your career is the best thing to do for yourself, which I know can be hard for us as women to do. Denise and Robin are the kind of teachers and mentors you need in your life. They don’t tell you what you want to hear, they tell you what you need to hear. No one is in control of your career but yourself and it’s up to you to take the action. Do that by signing up for Emerging Leaders.”

“As someone in the later stages of a successful career, I fully admit I came in quite skeptical about a program with “emerging” in the title… However, EVERY SINGLE SESSION provided to me useful tips / tricks and insight that I have since applied to everyday situations, tough challenges, and even toward my future career and life plans! Thus proving my initial thoughts wrong, these newly learned skills weren’t just aimed toward the early career (or “emerging”) leaders, but truly for everyone!

I’m thankful that I was able to be a part of this great program and thoroughly enjoyed the helpful guidance and teachings from Denise and Robin. If you haven’t signed up for this Central Exchange leadership program, run, don’t walk, and do it today! I promise you won’t regret it!”

“Emerging Leaders was an amazing way to both make new connections and gather new tools for leading in our ever changing environment. It was a great reinforcement of things I thought worked well as well as a new perspective on different ways to develop myself and others throughout their careers.”

“Emerging Leaders is a wonderful opportunity to add to your leadership toolkit and build your professional network. The ladies in the program are so supportive of each other. I even gained friendships from various cohorts during the program that I know will be long-term professional and personal connections.”

“This has been a year I chose to leap out of my comfort zone. One of my greatest professional accomplishments is to be a 2021 graduate of the Central Exchange Emerging Leaders program!

With a year focused on strategic thinking, influencing, innovating, negotiating and networking, through the program I met some seriously amazing women who make me want to rise up, to be more.”

“The Emerging Leaders Program is the best female-focused leadership development program in Kansas City. All of the participants are from outstanding companies, of all sizes, that are committed to the personal and professional growth of their valued employees.”