The mission of Leadership Winston-Salem--educating, connecting and energizing leaders to serve and improve the community--guides everything we do. This program is all about building strong, lasting relationships with other leaders, learning more about our community than you ever thought you could, and being inspired to make a difference in our community. Leadership Winston-Salem, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization, was started in 1984 by a group of local leaders to increase the understanding and commitment to the city’s future during a time of significant change. The flagship program ran for 20 years and then was taken offline to undergo a redesign effort using adult learning principles and best practices in experiential learning. The current program, re-started in 2005, reflects the results of that effort. Over 1500 individuals, representing the rich diversity of our community, have graduated from the program.
External link for Leadership Winston-Salem
624 W. 6th St., Suite 110
Winston-Salem, NC 27101, US
Do you need an updated headshot? We are here to assist. Join us on August 16 at Leadership Winston-Salem for a professional headshot session with a skilled photographer. You will receive two photos and full rights to your digital proofs, which will be sent to the email address used for registration within 10 business days. Please reserve your 10-minute slot.
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C. Edward Pleasants is a dedicated leader and visionary whose impact on Winston-Salem and beyond is truly inspiring. Ed Pleasants was born on November 21, 1940, in N.C. Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem has deep roots in this community. His commitment to education began early, as he graduated from Wiley School and R.J. Reynolds High School before earning a B.A. in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served our nation as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Supply Corps. Ed's professional journey is nothing short of extraordinary. For 35 years, he led Pleasants Hardware Company, transforming it from a small operation into the most enormous architectural door and hardware distributor in the United States. Under his leadership, the company grew from $2 million in annual revenues to nearly $90 million, eventually becoming the Cook and Boardman Group, a national leader with over $750 million in revenue. Ed has been very successful in his professional career and has also shown exceptional dedication to community service. Ed's leadership has played a crucial role in fundraising campaigns for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the United Way, and the Winston-Salem Symphony. He has also been involved in various boards and committees, including the Winston-Salem Foundation, the Rotary Club of Winston-Salem, and Leadership Winston-Salem, which he co-founded with Thomas Hearn and Julius Corpening. As the only surviving founder of Leadership Winston-Salem, Ed remains dedicated to preserving the organization's legacy by consistently demonstrating his unwavering commitment to serving the community. In addition to his tireless efforts and steadfast leadership, Ed has also made significant financial contributions to ensure the organization's continued success and impact. His contributions both in terms of time and resources have been invaluable to the organization's ability to serve the community effectively. Ed's influence extends to educational and cultural institutions as well. He has held significant roles at Winston-Salem State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and the Winston-Salem Arts Council. His efforts have consistently aimed at improving the quality of life in our community through civic engagement and philanthropic support. His family life is equally impressive. He was married for 60 years to Nancy Wood Thompson, with whom he shares two daughters and five grandchildren. Together, they have fostered a legacy of service and community involvement. Ed Pleasants lifetime of achievements embodies the spirit of leadership and dedication. His work has shaped the business landscape and enriched our community's social and cultural fabric.
Join Leadership Winston-Salem for our upcoming Community Coffee "Business Before Hours" event. This event is designed to bring our community leaders together to network and support local small businesses. Enjoy a hot cup of locally brewed coffee and engage in meaningful conversations with like-minded individuals. What a great way to jumpstart your day! We look forward to seeing you there. RSVP REQUIRED: https://bit.ly/4daIVMV For more information contact: [email protected]
What a fantastic time we had yesterday at our first Wine Down Wednesday Networking Mixer! We were happy to see many people connecting, exchanging business cards, and conversing over great food with a glass of wine. Thank you to our sponsor BYGood Coffee, for their support! No worries if you missed this event or could not register due to capacity limits; our next event will be held on August 14. RSVP REQUIRED: https://bit.ly/3y5cRuW
Wine Down Wednesdays was a huge success! Leadership Winston-Salem would like to express gratitude to our small business sponsor, ByGood Coffee, and everyone who joined us yesterday. We enjoyed seeing so many familiar faces. ByGood Coffee was founded in 2016 by Abbey and Darrell Garner, who wanted to bring awareness of specialty coffee and loose-leaf tea to the suburbs of Long Island. Their core values are to put people first, listen, respond, innovate continuously, and give back to the community. At ByGood Coffee, the only thing missing is "U" to buy good coffee. Please visit their website https://lnkd.in/e2X3bxbi to learn more.
Good Afternoon Friends! If you are registered for our first Wine Down Wednesdays Networking Mixer on tonight, please make sure to read the following reminders and important information before attending: Location: Sir Winston Wine Loft and Restaurant, located inside the Hotel Indigo, 104 W 4th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Parking Options: · Valet ($26/ pull up to the valet station and an attendant will assist you) · Public Parking (One West Fourth Garage)- $4/Hour 495 N Liberty St Winston-Salem, NC 27101 · Public Parking Garage (City of Winston-Salem 4th/Church Street Parking Deck)- $1/Hour 455 North Church Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101 · Parking Meters are free after 5PM Upon Arrival, please note the following: Please make sure you check-in - we want to greet you with a smile! For any LWS Alum who has not already purchased your lapel pin, we will have them available for sale (debit/credit only). For efficient service, all wine purchases will be made upstairs in the Wine Loft, while all beer and alcohol purchases will be handled on the lower level near the main entrance. Sir Winston will have their full dinner menu available, and they will also offer a small plates menu with appetizers for those looking for lighter options. Additionally, there will be drink specials available for your enjoyment. Donations: While this is a complimentary event, we would greatly appreciate your willingness to donate to our Wine Down Wednesdays fund. Any amount (great or small) is truly appreciated and it allows us to continue to provide top-tier programs and services each year. You can make a contribution here: https://bit.ly/3W15IUc Thank you in advance for your participation! We are excited and look forward to seeing you!
Food for Thought: What a great post!
Good leadership shouldn’t be a mystery. It’s a skill that can change lives. Credit to Jessica Luna ! The impact of a strong leader goes further than day-to-day work. The best leaders positively impact your: ↳ Mental-health ↳ Work-life balance ↳ Personal Development If you’re a manager looking to make a genuine difference. Here’s how you do it: ↳ Lead by example ↳ Make you feel heard ↳ Boost your confidence ↳ Treat others with kindness ↳ Provide valuable mentorship ↳ Guide you through hard times ↳ Trust you to work independently ↳ Are friendly and easy to approach ↳ Embrace positive change and ideas ↳ Create a feeling of community at work ↳ Have hard but necessary conversations ↳ Celebrate achievements both big and small ↳ Give constructive feedback to help you progress Be the leader who people work hard for. Not the one they work hard to avoid. Know a leader who’s changed your life? Tag them below to show them they are appreciated! ⬇️ ♻️ Repost this to support the leaders in your network. And follow Chris Donnelly for more
In case you missed it, the 2024 graduating class of Leadership Winston-Salem was featured in Sunday's edition of the Winston-Salem Journal | JournalNow! See someone you know? Tag your favorite graduate below! #LWS2024
Due to an overwhelming response, we are at capacity for our upcoming Wine Down Wednesdays Networking Mixer. If you were able to attend or missed the opportunity to RSVP, please be on the lookout for our next event which will be held on August 14 (more information to come). To those who will be in attendance, we look forward to seeing you on Wednesday. #itsalmostTIMETOUNWIND