The 2021-2022 Leadership Springfield program year has come to a close and we are saying farewell to some incredible community leaders rolling off of our Board of Directors and a warm hello to the talented leaders beginning their board terms with us.
To the five individuals exiting our board, thank you for your service! We are extremely grateful for your leadership and all your hard work and dedication to Leadership Springfield over the years, and we can’t wait to see what you do next!
“It has been an honor and privilege to have served as Board President this past year. I would like to acknowledge and thank those of you who have joined our alumni group as well as those who have volunteered to serve on the Board. A special shout out and thanks to those Board members whose terms have come to a close, and I do hope you will be able to stay active in some way with Leadership Springfield.
This is a really exciting time for our organization and I would also like to acknowledge the great work of Carrie and each and every staff member for the outstanding work they each have done.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who gave of your time and provided input as advisors and or committee members. The committees really did a great job this year and are of great importance to the overall services and programs our organization can provide. The Academy committee, for example, made some significant changes to several parts of our Academy program and the Development committee developed and rolled out our Legacy Leaders League fundraising program (please consider joining at one of the various levels).
Those are just a couple of examples of the really good work the committees achieved this past year.
‘Inspire-Develop-Connect’ is our mission here at Leadership Springfield and we continue to evolve to better serve our community with the highest possible quality in our programs and offerings as possible.
It has been a great year and I am excited about many more to come and the growth of our organization and program offerings as well.”
— Larry Stock, 2021-22 Leadership Springfield Board President
Bruce Nasby
President of Global Advisory Associates
“I’ve served on numerous boards and led several nonprofits as a staff officer for over 40 years and Leadership Springfield is one of the best organizations I’ve ever worked with. Amazing staff leadership and hands on committed and passionate volunteers.”
Candy Letterman
Co-Owner of Letterman Rentals, LLC
Signature Class 26
“I truly believe in the Mission and Vision of Leadership Springfield. It is now stronger than ever and making a huge impact on our community. It was a true honor to serve on the board.”
Celeste Cramer
Versus
Signature Class 36
Thank you for your board service!
Crystal Mapp
Marketing Account Manager with Wipfli, LLP
Signature Class 31
“I feel really lucky to have had a front row seat to watch the growth of Leadership Springfield over the last six years. Betting big on the organization and hiring the first executive director and then incredible team, developing new programs, and expanding the flagship program has been a very rewarding experience to be a part of. One of my favorite board member responsibilities has been reviewing the Signature Class applications each year – it’s amazing to see how many impressive leaders we have serving our community!”
Natalie Murdock
Executive Director of Foundation for Springfield Public Schools
Signature Class 25
“When I first joined the Leadership Springfield Board of Director’s we were just beginning to have conversations about full time staff and expanding programs. Today we have accomplished so many of those goals. I am extremely proud of the work this organization and its team continue to do! I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
We are excited to welcome five new board members as we kick off the 2022-2023 program year! This group of leaders is dedicated to the mission of Leadership Springfield and eager to serve the Springfield community. Stephanie Wan, incoming Leadership Springfield Board President would like to help welcome our new board members to the team:
“I am thrilled to be given the privilege to preside over the Leadership Springfield board for the coming year. Outgoing President Larry Stock has done so much work to grow Leadership Springfield, while dealing with the pandemic, and I can only hope that we can continue to build on what Larry has started. I am also excited to welcome our new board members. The five new members joining the board are some of the best and brightest that Springfield has to offer and are going to lend unique perspectives and expertise to the Leadership Springfield organization. I am so proud to be part of this organization and so proud of the work that the staff has put into Leadership Springfield to allow us to move forward despite the challenging year. Leadership Springfield is committed to continuing to inspiring, developing, connecting, and serving the leaders of Springfield and the Springfield community as a whole and I can’t wait for our community to see what Leadership Springfield has in store for the coming year!”
— Stephanie Wan, 2022-23 Leadership Springfield Board President
Gretchen Russell
Tax Manager with KPM CPAs & Advisors
Signature Class 38
What was your favorite Leadership Springfield experience?
“Viewing local Red Flags/Blue Ribbons through the lens of my classmates’ diverse personal experiences and having open, honest discussions about causes and solutions.”
What do you most look forward to being part of the Leadership Springfield board?
“Having the opportunity to lend my talents to continue and expand the impact of the Organization while developing new/deeper relationships with local professionals.”
Kevin Kropf
Executive Vice President of Enrollment, Management, Marketing & Communications with Drury University
Signature Class 33
What was your favorite Leadership Springfield experience?
“So many to choose from, but my teams program day has to be my favorite. A close second was my split jump intro during a Beth Dolman improv activity during another program day.”
What was your favorite Leadership Springfield experience?
“So many to choose from but my teams program day has to be my favorite. A close second was my split jump intro during a Beth Dolman improv activity during another program day.”
Maggie Rollwagen
Director of Community Education with Abilities First
Signature Class 42
What was your favorite Leadership Springfield experience?
“Learning more about our community and developing relationships.”
What do you most look forward to being part of the Leadership Springfield board?
“Being an ally for people in the intellectual and developmental disability community.”
Dr. Spencer Harris
President & Co-Owner of Mostly Serious & Habitat Communication & Culture
Signature Class 41
What is your favorite Leadership Springfield experience?
“I thoroughly enjoyed the diversity, equity, and inclusion discussions we had towards the end of our program days. I was also overwhelmed (in a good way) with the Arts day, and specifically the tour of Juanita K. (Honorable mention for the Strengths work we did during both the kick-off and wrap-up retreats)”
What do you most look forward to being part of the Leadership Springfield board?
“I believe that this program has a meaningful impact on our community, as Leadership Springfield is one of the few organizations focused specifically on providing regional leaders with the tools, resources, and connections they need to move the Springfield needle. I am excited to bring my expertise and background (as a teacher, facilitator, and executive advisor) to the table and collaborate on ways to ensure the program does even more for area leaders.”
Tim Baltes
Senior Compliance Manager with Bass Pro
Signature Class 24
What is your favorite Leadership Springfield experience?
“Our program day—having a member of the class get handcuffed after a drug dog sniffed planted drugs on him and we carted him out into the police van.”
What do you most look forward to being part of the Leadership Springfield board?
“I like to give back, I like to be involved in a group that is making a difference. I think this Board does this—makes a difference. I want to push on how to really teach leadership—what parts of leadership can we teach/share/develop with the small amount of time in which we have? Let’s establish a part of that, identify the learning outcomes and impart that knowledge on the group.”
