LSC - It’s Your Turn to Stand Out from the Crowd
Leadership Shenandoah County inspires, develops, engages and connects diverse leaders to one another, across sectors and experience. The Leadership program increases leaders' knowledge and perspectives on key local and regional issues, and provides an environment for challenging and strategic conversations.
Leadership Shenandoah County participants have included senior level executives, nonprofit executives and staff, entrepreneurs, local government employees, community and education leaders, farmers, young professionals and more.
Leadership Shenandoah County is an eight-month program with the objective to develop the skills of participants so they will be able to provide the leadership necessary to recognize and address business and community needs. Participants will gain an understanding of the complex issues facing Shenandoah County through educational programs, exposure to community leaders and the structures within which they operate, and through discussions and examination of current issues facing the County. Topics include Leadership, Agriculture/Tourism, Local Government, Education, Public Safety, Health Care and Human Services, Economic Development and Business/Industry. Sessions are led by a combination of community leaders, professional facilitators, and specialists in the respective fields.
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Goals:
To develop and foster leadership potential in the community to ensure citizen involvement, community prosperity, and overall community success in Shenandoah County.
Objectives:
To develop the skills of participants so they will be able to provide the leadership necessary to address community needs.
To enhance an understanding of the complex issues facing Shenandoah County through educational programs, exposure to community leaders and the structures they operate within, and through discussions on current issues facing the County.
Format:
This is an eight-month program from April through November. Sessions will be held once a month during this timeframe on a Friday and will generally run 8:30-4:00. Lunch and a light breakfast are provided for each session. Topics include Leadership, Agriculture/Tourism, Local Government, Education, Public Safety, Health Care, Business/Industry, Non-Profit Organizations, and the final session involves group presentations from the cohort. Sessions are led by a combination of community leaders, professional facilitators, and specialists in the respective fields.
LSC Advisory Board:
Consists of selected business leaders invited by the Chairperson to have oversight of the program and select the Leadership Shenandoah County participants. Each Director would coordinate and facilitate their respective Session.
The Board consists of the LSC Chairperson Chamber President, Sharon Baroncelli; County Administrator, Evan Vass; SCPS Superintendent Melody Sheppard; and representatives from Industry/Business- Greg Hoover with First Bank; and NonProfit- Katie Furneisen with Shenandoah Alliance for Shelter.
2026 COURSE OUTLINE
Days typically begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. Attendance is mandatory
Orientation Session & Retreat
April 10, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Location: Shentel Headquarters in Edinburg
Class Sessions
April 24, 2026
Health Care and Human Needs–An overview of medical care in Shenandoah County including tours of SMH, Dept. of Social Services, clinics, and special care facilities. Discussions will focus on the current health care and human needs issues facing our community.
May 15, 2026
Local Government – An overview of the structure and function of our local government along with discussion of government’s role in addressing local challenges. This class requires independent attendance at a county government meeting prior to the session.
June 5, 2026
Agriculture & Tourism-Discover agricultural resources as they affect Shenandoah County. Accomplished by involvement in touring various farms, facilities and venues relating to agricultural and tourism activities.
July 10, 2026
Non-Profit – We discover Shenandoah County’s non-profits and learn the role these entities serve in commerce and our quality of life.
August 14, 2026
Public Safety – A look at our fire service and law enforcement agencies and how they interact. Includes tours of the RSW Regional Jail, Sheriff’s Department, and County Courthouse.
September 11, 2026
Business/Industry – A look at the diversity of the local business economy including a statistical overview of the county in the Northern end of the County. Includes tours of several area businesses and industries.
October 9, 2026
Business/Industry – A look at the diversity of the local business economy including a statistical overview of the county in the Southern end of the County. Includes tours of several area businesses and industries.
November 13, 2026
Education –A look at the structure and operation of our public and private educational systems. Includes discussion and interaction relating to education’s role in our economic prosperity. This class requires independent attendance at a Shenandoah County School Board meeting prior to the session.
Wednesday, Dec 2, 2026, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Location: TBD
Graduation – A special event honoring those who have completed the Leadership Shenandoah County Program
Join us in Congratulating the LSC Class of 2025!
Logan Baker, Mount Jackson Police Dept
Cassandra Barrow, United Bank
Jessica Barton, First Bank
Ashley Bauserman, DuPont Community Credit Union
Sarah Carper, Preslee Real Estate
Tammy De Phillip, Town of Woodstock
Allie Fauber, Shenandoah County Administration
Jennifer Grace, Shenandoah County Dept of Social Services
Kim Green, Edinburg Insurance Agency
Nick Livesay, Lord Fairfax Soil & Water Conservation District
Emily McCoryn, Strasburg Town Council
Mindy Miller, First Bank
Darla Moomaw, Shenandoah County Public Schools
Carly Rhodes, Johnston and Rhodes
Emily Ritenour, Town of Strasburg
Brian Schennum, Town of Woodstock
Brandon Shiflet, Town of Mount Jackson Public Works
Leigh Sicina, Shenandoah Community Health Clinic
Aaron Springer, Strasburg Police Department
Ingrid Thompson, Shen-Paco Industries, Inc.
Katie Wakeman, Woodstock Police Department
Kim Williams, Shenandoah Community Health Clinic
Nancy Young, Shenandoah Valley Local Ministries