Inspire. Develop. Connect. Serve.

Leadership Springfield is the premier program for leadership development in the Ozarks, designed to inspire, develop and connect leaders to serve the Springfield community. In over 30 years of operating, we have graduated more than 2,000 community leaders who are motivated and inspired to make an impact.

Program Overview

As a member of the national Association of Leadership Programs, Leadership Springfield provides three distinct community leadership programs for the Springfield metro area: the Signature Class, the Leadership Springfield Academy Class and the Access Class. In addition to these three programs, we offer ongoing membership opportunities for alumni to continue putting their class experience into action, through alumni engagement opportunities and more. Explore our community leadership programs.

Leadership Springfield’s flagship program takes community leaders on a nine-month tour of the city’s blue ribbons and red flags, devoting time to better understanding our own strengths as leaders, identifying the city’s needs, resources and opportunities, recognizing the value of bonding and bridging social capital and making a long term impact both individually and collectively as community leaders.

Each year, high school juniors and seniors across the Springfield area’s public and private schools learn about leading with their strengths while gaining a deeper knowledge of what it takes to keep the city running. Modeled after the nine-month Signature Class, the Leadership Springfield Academy Class engages the future workforce of our community and allows students to become more engaged and informed citizens.

New transplants to the city can plug into the community immediately through the Access Class – a one time fast-paced, two day program offered quarterly. This delivery model allows local leaders to get up to speed on major industry, initiatives and contacts. The Access Class also allows longtime Springfieldians an opportunity to participate in a community leadership program and expand their professional network without the time commitment of the flagship program.

Alumni Testimonials

Emily LettermanEmily Letterman
The places you visit are eye-opening. The people you meet are inspiring. The lessons you learn are impactful. To say Leadership Springfield is a transformational program would be an understatement.
Emily Letterman
Signature Class 35
Dr. Tom PraterDr. Tom Prater
In the years since my Leadership Springfield experience (Class 5) I have continued to maintain social, professional and business relationships with many of my classmates. Even as a Springfield native, the experience certainly opened my eyes to new opportunities in the community.
Dr. Tom Prater
Signature Class 5
David WellsDavid Wells
My time in Leadership Springfield was full of valuable experiences. I learned about the inner workings of my community and how to conduct myself in a professional atmosphere. I developed my leadership skills and found the strength to say, “Follow me”.
David Wells
Academy Class 29

Calendar of Events

Wednesday, March 20
2:00 pm
Classic Rock Coffee Co. (Sunset)
1900 W Sunset St, Springfield, MO 65807

Signature Class Info Session

March 20 | 2-3pm | Classic Rock Coffee (Sunset) Do you have questions about the Leadership Springfield Signature Class? Meet up with our staff and alumni for a casual coffee break! We’ll be available to tell you all about the Signature program and answer any questions you might have. Drop in for a few minutes or stay for the entire hour to get a taste of how Leadership Springfield helps to inspire, develop, and connect local leaders!
Wednesday, March 20
4:00 pm
White River Brewing Company
505 W Commercial St, Springfield, MO 65803

Rosie Book Club March Meeting

March 20 | 4-5pm | White River Brewing Company Join the Rosie Book Club for our next meeting where we’ll talk about “A Room of One’s Own” by Virginia Woolf. The Rosie Book Club Committee will lead us through engaging small group discussions.
Thursday, March 21
8:00 am
Black Lab Coffee Co. Galloway
3541 S. Lone Pine Ave., Springfield, MO 65804

Signature Classes 41 & 42 Coffee with Classmates

LeadSGF Executive Director Carrie Richardson has picked one day and time a week to go have coffee and invite a class or two of alumni who have graduated from our programs to join her and connect with each other. No agenda or fanfare. No programming. No RSVP needed. If you can come, great! Show up, grab your coffee or tea, and connect with each other for 6 minutes or 60 minutes.
Wednesday, March 27
8:00 am
Kingdom Coffee (Downtown)
211 S Market Ave Unit #100, Springfield, MO 65806

Signature Classes 31 & 32 Coffee with Classmates

LeadSGF Executive Director Carrie Richardson has picked one day and time a week to go have coffee and invite a class or two of alumni who have graduated from our programs to join her and connect with each other. No agenda or fanfare. No programming. No RSVP needed. If you can come, great! Show up, grab your coffee or tea, and connect with each other for 6 minutes or 60 minutes.
Tuesday, April 2
10:00 am
Eurasia Coffee Co.
445 E. Commercial St., Springfield, MO 65803

Signature Classes 21-23 Coffee with Classmates

LeadSGF Executive Director Carrie Richardson has picked one day and time a week to go have coffee and invite a class or two of alumni who have graduated from our programs to join her and connect with each other. No agenda or fanfare. No programming. No RSVP needed. If you can come, great! Show up, grab your coffee or tea, and connect with each other for 6 minutes or 60 minutes.
Tuesday, April 9
10:00 am
Travellers House Coffee & Tea at Boomer Town
824 S. National Ave., Springfield, MO 65804

Signature Classes 39 & 40 Coffee with Classmates

LeadSGF Executive Director Carrie Richardson has picked one day and time a week to go have coffee and invite a class or two of alumni who have graduated from our programs to join her and connect with each other. No agenda or fanfare. No programming. No RSVP needed. If you can come, great! Show up, grab your coffee or tea, and connect with each other for 6 minutes or 60 minutes.

Ready to learn more about our programs?