As the 15th cohort comes to a close, we’ve decided to take the next year to review the impact of our work, better understand the leadership skills programming our community still needs and assess how we should lend support to area residents looking to take their service and support to the next level.

The Foundation expresses its deep appreciation to all the community members who have served as volunteers, steering the implementation and delivery of LPI in Waco as well as supporting the creation and delivery of engagement opportunities for alumni. We are also thankful to Baylor’s Office of External Affairs, especially Caelie Terrazas and Carlie Brown, who served as program coordinators. LeadershipPLENTY’s success stems from everyone’s commitment to ensuring Waco builds a diverse pipeline of leaders for the future.

Over the next year Waco Foundation plans to engage facilitators, alumni and the board in community building and networking opportunities. We’ll also reach out to these respective groups to hold input sessions that will help guide our next steps.

Together, we will continue to shape a future for Waco that offers everyone the opportunity to thrive. Please keep an eye out for LPI related invitations and correspondence from Waco Foundation in the coming months. In the meantime, if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions you would like to share, you may do so by contacting us at admin@wacofoundation.org (subject line: LPI).

Q&A:

What happens to those currently participating in LPI?

LPI Waco will continue offering classes to the day and evening cohorts. There will not be a disruption in service or support. Graduation celebrations will proceed on March 31 as previously discussed. Keep an ear out for messaging from Carlie Brown and the Office of External Affairs about this.

What will happen with the LPI Facilitators?

Oversight and support of LPI related programming and engagement will return to Waco Foundation. The Foundation plans to conduct some listening/input activities with all LPI audiences, so facilitators should keep an eye out for correspondence from the Foundation in the coming months. Facilitators are also invited to reach out directly to the Foundation, to share their thoughts and experiences on LPI.

What will happen to the LPI Board?

The Foundation recognizes that the board has done and continues to do the hard work of devising learning, network and support activities for alumni and will continue work with members of the board to facilitate delivery. The Foundation will also work with the board on Spring Social that is being planned for April.

Moreover, the Foundation hopes the board will be a part of future input sessions/activities as well as provide thoughts, input and guidance as we assess the ongoing leadership skills and development needs of program alumni and the community at large.

There were people who expressed interest in participating in future cohorts. What does this change mean for them?

We will reach out directly and communicate our immediate plans to each individual who expressed interest in participating in a future cohort. Individuals who deferred their participation in 2025, will be given the opportunity for first refusal, once our future skills development plans have been identified and are ready to be implemented. Individuals who expressed interest in participating in a future class will also be notified about training opportunities, once plans have been settled.

What Happens Next?

Carlie Brown, Baylor’s Office of External Affairs and Waco Foundation staff are working together to facilitate the transition of all information, materials and relationships related to the LeadershipPLENTY Institute Program. If you have questions or concerns about the

transition, feel free to reach out to Carlie directly or connect with Foundation staff at admin@wacofoundation.org (subject line: LPI) to begin a conversation.

Why is Waco Foundation Involved?

Waco Foundation served as part of the original Steering Committee that identified and brought the LeadershipPLENTY Institute Program to Waco. We have been the primary funder of this community program since its launch. Given our vision of supporting our community’s capacity to address Waco’s most pressing problems, we remain committed to identifying learning opportunities for area residents.

Who is the Point of Contact Moving Forward?

Support for LeadershipPLENTY Institute Waco sits with the Nicole Wynter, Sr. Director of Community Investments. Reach out by emailing us at admin@wacofoundation.org with the subject line: LPI, to connect about the program.