Strong Leader Series™ 2026
Build Confidence. Strengthen Connections. Lead with Clarity.
The Strong Leader Series™ is a three-part professional development experience designed to help leaders at every level increase their influence, think strategically, and bring out the best in others.
- Thursdays, Oct. 8, 15, 22, from 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Lake Michigan College, 125 Veterans Blvd., South Haven
- Investment: $500 for all three sessions
Sessions are led by The Purpose Partners, a diverse group of experienced local leaders.
- Kathleen Curtis Wolf, Chief Experience Officer, former Whirlpool corporate brand creator empowering businesses through purpose-focused experiences..
- Deb VanDrasek Visin, Chief Inspiration Navigator, former Whirlpool diversity network leader driving strategic results through market launch expertise.
- Mollie Waller, Senior Partner, former dairy industry communications leader fostering positive, strengths-based organizational cultures.
The deadline to register for the Strong Leader Series is September 24, 2026.
Program Details
Each half-day workshop blends real-world leadership tools with the power of CliftonStrengths®, helping participants connect their natural talents to how they lead.
Over three sessions, participants didn’t just learn, they applied.They practiced new approaches, challenged their thinking, and began to see their leadership in a new light.
Whether you’re stepping into leadership for the first time or scaling a team and making high-stakes decisions, this series will help you:
- Understand and apply your natural strengths to everyday leadership challenges
- Communicate with influence and build trust across your team and organization
- Think strategically to make better, faster, and more aligned decisions
- Inspire and develop others by focusing on what makes each person thrive
Through engaging discussions, practical exercises, and self-reflection, leaders learn how to communicate more effectively, make confident decisions, and motivate their teams with clarity and focus.
What’s Included
- Three interactive half-day workshops
- CliftonStrengths® 34 assessment and personalized report
- Practical leadership tools and templates
- Opportunities for networking and peer learning
- Sessions are led by a diverse group of experienced local leaders.
Participants will complete the CliftonStrengths® 34 Assessment before the first session to personalize their learning experience.
Session 1 Communication & Influence, October 8
Lead conversations that create connection and commitment.
Learn how to adapt your communication style, strengthen your credibility, and turn conversations into action. Discover how your strengths shape your influence and practice skills that build trust and drive collaboration. Key Objectives:- Understand how communication styles and strengths shape influence
- Practice adaptive communication for different audiences and situations
- Learn how to give and receive feedback that builds trust and accountability
Session 2 Strategic Thinking & Decision Making, October 15
Think bigger. Decide smarter.
Develop a stronger strategic mindset and learn to balance intuition and analysis. Explore frameworks that help you move from reactive to proactive, and gain tools for making confident, strengths-aligned decisions that keep your team focused and aligned. Key Objectives:- Explore how different strengths inform the way we see problems and possibilities
- Practice frameworks for analyzing, prioritizing, and communicating decisions
- Learn to balance intuition and evidence when making strategic choices
Session 3 Motivating & Developing Others, October 22
Unlock potential. Build stronger teams.
Understand what drives individual motivation and learn how to coach and develop others through their strengths. Create an environment where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to perform at their best. Key Objectives:- Use Emotional Intelligence to recognize what motivates different individuals
- Approach performance conversations with a strengths-based lens
- Create a development culture that fosters growth, accountability, and engagement
Who should attend and why
The 2026 Strong Leader Series™ is an opportunity to invest in yourself and your future as a leader. Get ready for a transformative experience that will refine your skills, expand your network, and empower you to lead with greater confidence and impact.
What was your main objective when you decided to participate in this Strong Leader Series™?:
- 60% Gain new knowledge
- 20% Get clarity or direction
- 20% Access to useable frameworks
Confidence increased across all three focus areas.
- 100% said they would recommend the series to others.
- Every participant achieved their goal for attending.
100% Recommended By Peers
The primary motivation for participants attending the series was the pursuit of new knowledge.
Most impressively, the program maintained a 100% success rate, with every participant reporting that they accomplished their primary objective.
“The Leadership Series gave me a new perspective on how individual strengths shape the way people learn, communicate, and respond to motivation and coaching. One of the biggest takeaways for me was learning to influence through the 4 Cs — Connect, Clarify, Co-Create, and Commit. The Co-Create and Commit steps can easily be overlooked, but when they are used intentionally, both the coach and team member feel more engaged and motivated to follow through on the plan they built together. This experience helped me grow as a leader by understanding my team from a different perspective and better supporting each person in developing and using their strengths.”
– Stacey Smith, AVP Branch Manager, Sturgis Bank & Trust Company
Join the Strong Leader Series™
Invest in your growth and your organization’s future.
Learn how to lead with clarity, confidence, and connection—leaning into your unique strengths.
The deadline to register for the Strong Leader Series is September 24, 2026
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy: If Lake Michigan College South Haven’s campus is closed due to weather or other circumstances at the time of the Startup Series (typically 6 p.m.), then the session will either be rescheduled or offered virtually. You will receive notification in your inbox at the email you used to register.
All South Haven Regional Business Hub programs or co-sponsored events are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Arrangements for persons with disabilities are made when requested two weeks in advance.