More than professional development

When I joined the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) in May 2024, I didn’t expect that a few months later I’d be part of something truly special. That September, Carolyn Mitchell, our VP of sales and marketing at Hughes Recruiting & Consulting, signed me up for the Leadership Rockford program. She wanted me to build connections, learn more about our city, and hopefully make lifelong friends.

I wasn’t born and raised in Rockford—I moved here after college—so I was excited to dig deeper into the community where I live and work. What I didn’t expect was how strongly this program would connect me to the people, places, and purpose that make Rockford thrive.

In my role as a client specialist at Hughes Recruiting & Consulting, I see every day how important professional development is for attracting and keeping great talent. People don’t just choose jobs, they choose communities. When professionals feel connected to where they live, they’re more likely to stay, grow, and give back. Leadership Rockford was a crash course in creating those connections.

From our first day, we explored Rockford in ways I’d never experienced. The History of Rockford & Downtown Tour took us all over the city, sharing stories of resilience and reinvention. I even learned about my late great-grandfather’s business, Lawson Transfer. At Prairie Street Brewing, we not only heard about the building’s historical significance but also the vision it took to bring new life to a community landmark. It reminded me that talent retention isn’t just about pay or benefits; it’s about pride in the place you call home.

Our Public Safety session at the Winnebago County Jail was just as eye-opening. We toured the facility and heard from law enforcement professionals about the challenges they face. Seeing the investments in safety gave me a deeper appreciation for the systems that keep our community strong.

The Health Care session at the Rock River Valley Blood Center offered another perspective. We often think of health care as a workplace benefit, but that day I saw it as a shared community responsibility. A strong local health care network doesn’t just support employees—it supports families and future generations.

What tied everything together was the people. One of my favorite memories was volunteering with classmates John Gleason, Danielle Angileri, and Salvador Morales. We painted Santa houses and Christmas presents for Stroll on State, then ended the night at the Top of Embassy Suites, rewarding ourselves for our “elf” work. We all came from different industries and backgrounds but shared a desire to understand Rockford better and give back. Those relationships don’t end with the program; they grow, strengthen networks, and inspire new ideas.

The program wrapped up with one more unforgettable moment. In our final session, all 50 classmates voted for the top four people they believed could guide and inspire the next Leadership Rockford class as moderators. I was honored to be chosen, alongside Whitney Martin (Made for Rockford), John Gleason (COO at Anderson Gardens), and Kaleb Price (i3 Broadband community engagement specialist). That vote of confidence was humbling and energizing—a perfect example of how this program builds leaders ready to serve.

For businesses, Leadership Rockford is more than professional development, it’s a retention strategy. It helps employees grow, see their community in a new light, and develop a true sense of belonging. It left me with more than knowledge; it gave me a renewed investment in Rockford’s future.

If you’re a business leader looking to keep your best people engaged or a professional wanting to deepen your roots here, I can’t recommend Leadership Rockford enough. It’s not just a program. It’s an invitation to step into the heartbeat of the city and see where your leadership can make a difference.

The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce.