CANTON – Eleven emerging leaders received their certificates of completion in a Graduation ceremony of the St. Lawrence Leadership Institute (SLLI) at the Best Western University Inn on Wednesday, May 13.

The graduates included Kirk Davis (of Con Tech Building Systems, Inc.), Kristine Demeter (Cornell Cooperative Extension), Jennifer Gollinger (North Country Savings Bank), Olga Grant (St. Lawrence University), Karla Keruskie (Legacy K Elderly Care Homes LLC), Wendy Lawton (St. Lawrence University), Christine Lauzon (The Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence), Scott Morgan (AmeriCU), Seamus L. O'Brien (North Country Savings Bank), and Abigail Wilson (Children’s Home of Jefferson County), and Lisa Mitchell.

Over the course of eight monthly classes, the participants in the SLLI developed their leadership skills with expert speakers and workshops on subjects that included Strengths-Based Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Building and Leading Effective Teams, Organizational Change, Conflict Resolution & Negotiations, and Ethical Leadership.

Classes also featured discussions of county community issues with panels of leaders in their field sharing perspectives on the state of agriculture, government, public health, justice, education, the arts, environment, and business development.

Handing the torch of leadership to the graduates were members of the SLLI Board of Directors, which includes Cassondra Caswell (of Cornell Cooperative Extension), Ben Dixon (St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce), Malissa Hale (Children’s Home of Jefferson County), Josh LaFave (Clarkson University), Brandon LaShombe (St. Lawrence Federal Credit Union), Felicia Neahr (Workforce Development Institute), Laura Pearson (St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce), Kenneth Rhee (SUNY Canton), Stacy Vassar (St. Lawrence University), and Elizabeth Yenchko.

Closing remarks were provided by Ben Dixon, President of the SLLI Board, 2007 SLLI alumnus, and Executive Director of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. “In working with many partners in the North Country since 2006, we have continuously recognized the need for leaders to champion creative new approaches to community development,” said Dixon. “That [these individuals have] chosen to hone skills and knowledge in this program and accept the mantle of leadership is critical to the vitality and quality of life in our communities.”

The St. Lawrence Leadership Institute was established in 1993 to foster the development of emerging and existing leaders for the advancement of St. Lawrence County, its businesses, and its communities. This leadership development is achieved through three program elements: leadership skills development, issues awareness, and networking. The not-for-profit Institute is managed, and the program developed, by a volunteer board of directors with administrative support from the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce.

The St. Lawrence Leadership Institute is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 program. Interested parties should visit www.visitstlc.com/slli for an application or more information. Questions can be directed to Laura at Laura@slcchamber.org or 315-393-3620, or to any member of the Board of Directors.