Written by: Josh Guyer, MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center
When Allyson asked me to join the Leadership North Iowa Alumni Advisory Committee, I did not have to think about it for long.
In my fundraising work, I connect people with causes worth caring about. Leadership North Iowa (LNI) did something similar for me by helping me connect more deeply with North Iowa. The program got me out of my building and my usual routine when I was new to the area. It put me in rooms with people I might never have met otherwise. I connected with manufacturers, bankers, health care providers, real estate professionals, and others who share an interest in helping North Iowa thrive.
It has been rewarding to watch members of my cohort advance in their careers since we graduated. It has been especially meaningful to currently serve alongside two of them on the Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa board!
Looking back, what mattered was not any single session or tour. It was building local context and relationships that helped root me in North Iowa long beyond graduation. That is why returning to LNI made sense. I want to be a part of the next class building those same connections, growing as leaders, and finding new ways to make North Iowa an even better place to live and work.
This year’s class has some exciting experiences ahead. Participants will look inside Stellar Industries, which recently expanded into Mason City. They will also go behind the scenes at MercyOne North Iowa, where they will learn how the hospital and Mason City High School are working together to prepare the next generation of health care professionals. Another highlight is Day on the Hill, which was added after my 2023 class and has been a big hit. Participants will travel to Des Moines and spend the day meeting with our state legislators.
If you have been thinking about applying, or encouraging someone on your team to apply, I recommend it. You will learn a great deal about North Iowa, but I think you will find that the people you meet are what stay with you.
Applications are due December 1, apply HERE or contact Allyson Krull at [email protected].