Testimonials
Past Graduates Talk About The Program
"I am a relative newcomer to Saline and hoped the Leadership Institute would help me find ways to contribute to the community and meet people. It did that and more. I looked forward to each session and felt a genuine warmth from the group. We each grew professionally and committed to making Saline a better place in the future. SLI was, without a doubt, one of the best gifts I have ever given myself."
- Anne Balazs, Marketing Department Head, EMU College of Business, Class of 2010
"This was a great opportunity to learn about people and organizations that I had heard of but knew little about prior to SLI. I cannot think of another venue that would allow such a vastly different array of people to spend such quality time together."
- Jason Pickett, School Social Worker, Varsity Women's Basketball Coach, Class of 2009
"You get a wonderful perspective on how a great community is built through the efforts of so many people from so many different disciplines. It was a richly rewarding experience."
- Les Sharon, Principal, Harvest Elementary School, Class of 2008
"They say that 'all politics is local.' Well, when you experience Saline Leadership Institute, you can say that 'all professional and personal development is local' too. The range of learning was amazingly wide. And it was all personally relevant to me as a local business owner and member of the Saline community."
- Chris Kochmanski, Owner, DesignHub, Class of 2007
"Saline Leadership vastly exceeded my expectations! Its diverse curriculum and world class instructors made the experience extremely rewarding. I learned a lot about what makes Saline such a special place."
- Bruce Temby, The UPS Store, Class of 2006
"I was a very reluctant Leadership participant at first, but have found it so valuable in showing me how to get involved in the community. I am so grateful for the people I met and the skills I learned."
- Stacey Breedveld, Executive Director, St. Joseph Mercy Saline Hospital, Class of 2005
“Being a part of the Saline Leadership Institute has been inspiring and educational. Team learning has helped me realize that no matter who you are, we all have a common goal--to help, contribute and support community values.“
- Adam Nola, The Fabulous Mr. Fix-It, Class of 2004
“I have attended other Chamber leadership programs—they’re more about getting to know the community. This one goes much deeper and is truly a 'leadership' development program.”
- Mary Kerr, Ann Arbor Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Class of 2003
“The Saline Leadership Institute is the most worthwhile professional development I have ever experienced. I continually draw upon the knowledge I acquired through SLI. The quality of the workshops is incredible and definitely worth the commitment.”
- David Northrop, Principal, Redner Elementary School, Lincoln, Class of 2002
“The Saline Leadership Institute is a truly unique community training program. Each monthly session provided valuable insights and tools that I could incorporate into my life the very next day.”
- Lisa Flynn, PTA President, Pleasant Ridge, Class of 2001
“I gained new ideas, new friends, and new opportunities to serve. Given a choice between a Winter break in Mexico and my last training session, I stayed here and enjoyed every minute!”
- Phyllis Martin, Saline City Council, Class of 2000
“I found the Saline Leadership Institute to be an innovative training program designed to introduce new approaches to problem solving and management styles. It also generates frank discussions of important community issues.”
- Patrick Little, former Mayor, City of Saline, Class of 1999
“The Leadership Institute has been, without a doubt, the best leadership training program I have ever attended. The power of these methods and practices cannot be described, they have to be experienced! I didn’t want the program to end!”
- Sandy Nadig, School Board President, Class of 1998