The United Way of Gloucester County, the County of Gloucester, and Rowan College of South Jersey representatives signed a Memorandum of Understanding on March 11th, 2024, to start a new program called Lead Gloucester County (Lead GC). This comprehensive certificate course aims to develop a pool of well-informed, skilled and resourceful individuals, positioned to serve as business and community leaders in Gloucester County.

“Lead GC exists to educate, empower, engage and enhance the individual and collective capabilities of our next-generation leaders to advance their careers and to foster progress and prosperity in our county,” shared Michael Gower, Executive Director of United Way of Gloucester County. “With many of our businesses, corporations, and nonprofit organizations facing succession challenges, this program seeks to create well-informed and empathetic leaders who are ready to fill open roles. Through transformative leadership experiences and a structured overview of the issues and opportunities facing Gloucester County, Lead GC enhances the industry and position-specific training employers may currently offer,” he added.

Hosted by RCSJ President Dr. Fred Keating, the signing included the Lead GC founding members: Jim Jefferson, Deputy Director of the Gloucester County Board of County Commissioners, Joann Gattinelli, Commissioner Liaison to the Department of Economic Development, County Economic Development Director Tom Bianco, United Way of Gloucester County Executive Director Michael Gower, and United Way of Gloucester County Board Members Dr. Joanne Connor and Claire Riggs.

Lead GC spans nine months, with sessions held from September to May on the first Friday of each month. Each class will consist of 24 diverse participants dedicated to learning, engaging and growing as individuals and as a collective. In addition to broadening their leadership skills and knowledge of the County where they work and/or reside, upon completion, each participant will receive a Nonprofit Governance Board certificate to prepare them to serve on local nonprofits in volunteer leadership capacities.

The Lead GC seminars will take place at RCSJ’s Gloucester campus, located on Tanyard Road in Deptford, NJ. The application process for Lead GC opens on May 15, 2024, with a deadline for submission on July 31, 2024. Tuition of $750 covers all seminars, leadership training, lunches, and tour related transportation. Scholarships will be available on an as-needed basis. The first class of 24 cohorts will be selected and announced by mid-August, with the first monthly class commencing on Friday, September 6.

About Lead GC: Lead Gloucester County (Lead GC) is a collaborative of the United Way of Gloucester County, Rowan College of South Jersey, and the County of Gloucester. For more information about this program, including how to become a Lead GC sponsor, visit uwgcnj.org/LeadGC.