Leadership Cabarrus
Leadership programs have been a Chamber staple in Cabarrus County since the 1980s. After merging the Cabarrus County Chamber and Kannapolis Chamber in 1998, Leadership Cabarrus has flourished as part of The Chamber.
Leadership Cabarrus is a program designed for business and community leaders in mid- to upper-level positions with experience. The goal is to educate and enhance awareness of the assets, resources and needs within the Cabarrus County region.
Through a series of monthly class days from September through May, participants are introduced to and examine how leadership in the historical, geographical, educational, economic, governmental, and cultural segments work together to perpetuate and advance the Cabarrus County region and its citizens.
The program is also designed to nurture and develop the leadership skills of current and potential leaders, offering a stimulating atmosphere that fosters diverse viewpoints and yields innovative solutions to the critical questions facing our community. The program’s focus is creating awareness and connecting leaders to the issues; it is not an academic leadership training program, but an excellent professional development opportunity to communicate with the Cabarrus County community. Furthermore, the program is non-partisan and does not recommend or advocate for partisan positions on public matters.
For more information about this program, please contact us and follow Leadership Cabarrus on Facebook.
Leadership Cabarrus Is Presented By:
Program Testimonials
Hear from our Leadership Cabarrus alums about their transformative experiences in the program. These testimonials reflect the impact of Leadership Cabarrus on personal growth, professional development, and community engagement. Learn how the program has empowered leaders to make a positive impact in Cabarrus County and beyond.
“We are incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by so many amazing businesses, agencies, non-profits, and leaders who pour into this community with such vision and purpose. Thankful for the Chamber and this Leadership program that invests in the people for a greater community.”
“Leadership Cabarrus isn’t just a program; it’s a starting point, a shift in perspective, and a foundation for growth. It opens doors you didn’t know existed and introduces you to a network of people who challenge and support you.”
“Leadership Cabarrus is undeniably the most meaningful professional development opportunity available. Each class session builds upon the previous one, providing participants with a behind-the-scenes tour of the collaboration, talent, intentionality, and relationships that make Cabarrus County such a special place to live, work, and play.”
Program Requirements
- This is an exceptional program requiring dedicated attendance. The program requires a commitment to attend two orientation events in August and nine day-long (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) monthly sessions held on the third Tuesday of each month from September through May. Eight hours of absence are excused, but if time is missed after that, the participant will not graduate from the program, and there will be no refund of tuition.
- These days are rigorous and planned to inform participants as much as possible. This requires total participation by classmates with no distractions. If you have responsibilities that keep you from this commitment, this program may not be a good fit for you. The days’ agendas are full of information, with some days requiring extended periods of sitting and other days requiring lots of movement.
- Applications to Leadership Cabarrus are open to individuals who live or work in Cabarrus County, with priority consideration and placement given to Chamber members. All applicants will be notified of their status by the end of July.
- Applicants must have the full support of the company or organization by which they are employed, with the applicant’s supervisor aware of the time required away from work for the program.
Program Objectives
- To inspire and identify current and future community leaders.
- To enhance leadership skills and qualities of participants through in-depth views of the county.
- To encourage conversation and communication among present and future leaders.
- To assist those already in leadership roles to increase their access to additional positions of community leadership in an informed and responsible manner.
- To motivate and encourage participants to assume leadership roles in community affairs.
The application period for the 2026-2027 class will begin in May 2026.
Program Requirements
- This is an exceptional program requiring dedicated attendance. The program requires a commitment to attend two orientation events in August and nine day-long (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) monthly sessions held on the third Tuesday of each month from September through May. Eight hours of absence are excused, but if time is missed after that, the participant will not graduate from the program, and there will be no refund of tuition.
- These days are rigorous and planned to inform participants as much as possible. This requires total participation by classmates with no distractions. If you have responsibilities that keep you from this commitment, this program may not be a good fit for you. The days’ agendas are full of information, with some days requiring extended periods of sitting and other days requiring lots of movement.
- Applications to Leadership Cabarrus are open to individuals who live or work in Cabarrus County, with priority consideration and placement given to Chamber members. All applicants will be notified of their status by the end of July.
- Applicants must have the full support of the company or organization by which they are employed, with the applicant’s supervisor aware of the time required away from work for the program.
Program Objectives
- To inspire and identify current and future community leaders.
- To enhance leadership skills and qualities of participants through in-depth views of the county.
- To encourage conversation and communication among present and future leaders.
- To assist those already in leadership roles to increase their access to additional positions of community leadership in an informed and responsible manner.
- To motivate and encourage participants to assume leadership roles in community affairs.
Applications for the 2025-2026 class must be received by Friday, June 27, 2025, at 5 p.m.
Leadership Cabarrus Selection Criteria
The Leadership Cabarrus class is selected based on the following criteria (Chamber members receive priority consideration and placement):
- Demonstrated ability to set and achieve personal and professional goals.
- Demonstrated personal commitment to the Cabarrus County community.
- A commitment to the time required by the program.
- A commitment to be a responsible and engaged participant, including the class project.
- Announced candidates for public office may not “campaign” and/or use class time to promote their candidacy in any way.
Leadership Cabarrus is a competitive program, and submitting an application does not guarantee placement. All applications are reviewed by the Leadership Cabarrus Steering Committee, which is comprised of program alumni who work closely with the program to continually update the curriculum, ensuring it remains relevant and meaningful.
LC Alumni Association
Established in Spring 2022 as a legacy project by the Class of 2022, the Leadership Cabarrus Alumni Association aims to reconnect program alumni and strengthen the bonds formed during the program. Our mission is to empower alumni to enhance Cabarrus County through ongoing service projects and mentorship for current class members.
Leadership Cabarrus Class Projects
The Leadership Cabarrus Class is not only focused on personal and professional development but also on leaving a lasting impact on our community. As part of our commitment to service, each class is tasked with creating and completing a class legacy project. This project is designed to benefit the community in a meaningful way.
Class of 2026 Dates
The 2026 program dates are firm, but the content may be subject to change. All program days are 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The class is also responsible for creating and completing a class legacy project that benefits the community, which will require additional time outside of class days.
