LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

NORA offers a Regional Leadership Academy designed to develop essential skills such as communication, strategic thinking, decision-making, and team building. This program is tailored for emerging leaders, mid-level managers, and executives. The program gives participants a greater understanding of the regional assets and challenges.

Applications are now open!

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Through the NORA Leadership Academy, participants develop a broader awareness of the region. They acquire a greater knowledge of the interdependence of the diverse communities that constitute Northeastern Oklahoma. Additionally, participants sharpen leadership skills while networking with decision makers and professionals statewide.

The NORA Leadership Academy helps individuals build their personal, professional, and community leadership skills. Participants gain insight into the challenges facing Northeast Oklahoma and its 15 rural counties, develop effective leadership skills, and create a network to drive positive change in the region.

Join the NORA Leadership Academy and embark on a transformative 10-month program designed to develop your leadership skills, expand your professional network, and deepen your understanding of regional dynamics.

Program Highlights

Leadership Development: Gain valuable insights and practical skills through interactive workshops and expert-led sessions tailored to enhance your leadership capabilities.
NORA Legislative Reception: Engage with policymakers and influential leaders at our exclusive reception, gaining a unique perspective on regional and legislative issues.
NORA Summit Participation: Contribute to and learn from high-impact discussions at the NORA Summit, a key event for regional growth and development.
Regional Exploration: Explore different areas of the region each month, experiencing firsthand the diverse communities and industries that drive our area's growth.
Professional Networking: Connect with fellow regional professionals, fostering relationships that can lead to future collaborations and career opportunities.
NORA Membership: Graduates who complete the entire leadership program will receive a one-year membership to NORA, offering continued access to resources, events, and networking opportunities.

TESTIMONIALS

I have participated in many leadership programs, but NORA has been the most impactful by far. The experience was so inspiring that it shifted my career trajectory, leading me to my current role as the head of an organization where I can truly influence change, create meaningful impact, and bring greater value to Northeast Oklahoma.

Bridgette Nichols -Pryor Main Street Director

I attended Leadership prior to taking on my job as mayor. I will say having been part of other leadership classes, this was my favorite. The perspective that I gained for our special region was invaluable. I understand more of the dynamics of our region and why it's important for us to work in collaboration. I met others that I still have contact with today and made connections with businesses/entities which help me do my job better as a result.

Becki Farley - Mayor of Jay, Oklahoma

I heard about NORA and applied and was accepted into the third NORA Leadership Class in 2019. It was very interesting to learn about the growth and expansion of Northeastern Oklahoma. The collaboration between the cities and counties, businesses and coops (like Lake Region and GRDA), the Cherokee Nation, our education systems, and our elected officials have helped Northeast Oklahoma thrive and grow. I have taken what I learned in the NORA Leadership Class with me to the Capitol in Oklahoma City where I continue to be a strong voice for the people in my district. I highly recommend the NORA Leadership Class to anyone that shares my belief that we ALL need to learn as much as we can and serve our communities in any way we can.

Bob Ed Culver, State Representative -House District 4

I was privileged to participate in the inaugural NORA Leadership Academy in 2017. It was my first introduction to regionalism and its importance to Oklahoma. I gained a new respect for what we can accomplish together. We all love and admire our region and want to see it prosper and be the best place for the next generation to reside. We choose where to focus our efforts, and if we decide to concentrate as a group on the issues that make our region more robust and resilient, the goals are easier to obtain.

Another benefit of the academy was the people I met and networked with every month. Those relationships have proved beneficial over the years for guidance and direction. The NORA Leadership Academy would benefit anyone who calls Northeast Oklahoma home.

Glen Clark - General Manager/CEO, Lake Region Electric Coop