More About Emerging Leaders
Emerging Leaders was formed in 2015 by community leaders with a desire to recognize and honor the contributions of Emerging Leaders who are making a difference in the community while raising support.
Founding Committee Members above left to right: Jason Reese, Sharre Whitson, Tricia Hibner, Greg Unger, and Ella Smillie.
“Emerging Leaders was born from a deep belief that young professionals are not just the future—they are the present. Time and again, I have seen them step up, take initiative, and drive real change in their communities. They lead with heart, vision, and an unshakable commitment to making a difference. This program is a testament to their ability to shape a better world” – Sharre Whitson
Current Committee Members: Justin Hon, Sharre Whitson, Heather Case, Polina Leiser, Skyler Tacchini, Lisa Stadtmiller
Get Inspired. Take Action!
It was the hope of the founding committee that honoring leaders would also inspire others to engage in leadership as well. It isn’t enough to just be inspired by leadership, but communities can be transformed if you take action.
You are never too young or too old to make a significant difference. The fundraising challenge is a key element of Emerging Leaders. The chosen Top 10 Leaders and Student Leaders engage in a fundraising challenge to raise support for youth based charities. Their leadership during the challenge has inspired others and demonstrated that taking action, regardless of how busy these leaders are, can make a tremendous difference.