A new leadership initiative in Josephine County is entering its final phase and turning its focus outward, inviting a local nonprofit or community organization to partner on a project designed to create measurable impact across the region.
The Rogue Leadership Training Experience, now completing its inaugural cohort, was formed with a clear premise: communities grow stronger when leadership development and economic development move in tandem. Organizers describe the program as an investment in people, grounded in the belief that sustainable regional growth depends on leaders who understand not only business and organizational strategy, but also civic responsibility and community engagement.
Over the past five months, 30 participants from across Josephine County have taken part in an intensive curriculum that addresses leadership on multiple levels, including personal growth, relationship building, organizational effectiveness, civic involvement, and broader community stewardship. The cohort reflects a cross-section of the local population, drawing from private-sector professionals, nonprofit representatives, and youth participants who are beginning to shape their own leadership paths.
The program is co-facilitated by Trever Yarrish of The Hivve and Ashley Crews of Weekend Beer Company, in partnership with the Grants Pass and Josephine County Chamber of Commerce. Coursework is delivered through a custom-built technology platform created specifically for the training experience. Participants engage in monthly sessions, accountability partnerships, and hands-on leadership challenges designed to bridge theory and real-world application.
Youth involvement has been supported through the Rogue Workforce Partnership’s Southern Oregon Youth Works program, helping ensure younger voices are included in conversations about the county’s future. Community sponsors, including AllCare Health, Evergreen Federal Bank, and RenTec Direct, have provided financial backing to make the program accessible and sustainable during its first year.
As the cohort enters its final three months, attention shifts to what organizers describe as the capstone phase. Rather than launching a brand-new initiative, the group plans to serve as an accelerator for an existing nonprofit or community organization that already has a promising project underway. The idea is to provide concentrated leadership capacity, strategic planning assistance, and execution support that could help move a project from concept or early implementation into lasting impact.
The selected nonprofit partner will benefit from the collective expertise and coordinated effort of all 30 trained participants. Organizers say the goal is to produce tangible, measurable outcomes that strengthen Josephine County in a lasting way. Community organizations interested in applying for the capstone partnership are invited to submit information through the program’s online portal.
Terry Hopkins, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Grants Pass and Josephine County Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the broader vision behind the initiative. “When we invest in leaders, we invest in the future of our businesses and our community,” Hopkins said. “This cohort represents the kind of collaboration and forward-thinking leadership that will help Josephine County continue to grow and adapt.”
The program’s structure reflects a long-term strategy to build local capacity from within, rather than relying solely on outside solutions. By bringing together individuals from business, nonprofit, and youth sectors, the Rogue Leadership Training Experience aims to strengthen connections across industries and generations.
For many participants, the capstone represents more than a final assignment. It serves as a practical test of the principles they have studied and applied over the past several months. By focusing their collective skills on a single community partner, the cohort hopes to demonstrate how coordinated leadership can translate into meaningful change.
Organizers also note that interest in future cohorts is already building. Individuals who wish to participate in upcoming leadership classes are encouraged to contact the Chamber of Commerce for additional information.
With three months remaining in its inaugural year, the Rogue Leadership Training Experience is positioning its first capstone project as both a culmination and a beginning. If successful, the partnership model could become a recurring feature of future cohorts, embedding leadership development directly into community progress and reinforcing the idea that when local leaders grow, the entire region benefits.