Over a ten-month period –beginning in August and adjourning in May– participants meet monthly for daylong sessions where they learn leadership skills, as well as more about Chattanooga and what’s needed to ensure all have an opportunity to thrive.

Nominations are accepted each year throughout the month of February. Candidate applications are then distributed to nominees for completion, and the Chamber will publicly announce each incoming class roster in July.

A maximum of 45 leaders are admitted each year through a competitive selection process. Applicants are evaluated based on their:

• Sincere commitment, motivation, and interest in serving the community
• Demonstrated dedication to civic engagement through previous volunteerism and/or other key leadership roles rooted in public service
• Recognized potential for career advancement to top leadership positions
• Alignment with community diversity through representation of different socioeconomic sectors, professions, viewpoints, ages, cultural perspectives, ethnic backgrounds, and geographies throughout Hamilton County

Participants must meet attendance requirements in order to graduate; therefore, candidates are encouraged to apply only if their calendar accommodates the entirety of the class schedule.