The Leadership Waycross Class of 2025 celebrated its graduation on November 6, marking the completion of another successful year of developing local leaders committed to strengthening the Waycross and Ware County community.
This year’s class included: Brenda O’Steen; Brent James, Georgia Power; Jolie Hoyle, Okefenokee Swamp Park; Kari Piestrak, Hearing Plus Audiology; Kenya Williams, Coastal Pines Technical College; Anita Finn, Waycross Middle School; Valencia Baker, City of Waycross; David Jordan, Ware County Government; Chase McDonald, Waycross-Ware County Development Authority; Shumekia Brown, Ware County Government; Melissa Thrift, Ware County Sheriff’s Office; and Lin Boatright, Unison Behavioral Health.
Participants took part in a variety of sessions designed to deepen understanding of local issues, connect with community leaders, and inspire collaborative problem-solving.
The class began in January with an orientation and bonding retreat, setting the foundation for teamwork and leadership development through a series of programs — one each month — on a focused topic vital to the Waycross area:
• February (Local Government), offering an inside look at city and county operations.
• March (State Government), participants visited Atlanta to meet with state leaders and legislators.
• April (Regional Impact), focusing on partnerships and initiatives that strengthen Southeast Georgia.
• May (Health & Fitness), highlighting community health resources and wellness initiatives.
• June (Business & Industry), showcasing local economic drivers and workforce development.
• July (Human Services Day), addressing the social service needs
of the community.
• August (Agriculture), exploring the region’s vital industry.
• September (Education), spotlighting local schools, colleges, and workforce training programs.
• October (Arts & Tourism), celebrating the area’s cultural and natural attractions, followed by a vision retreat to reflect on the year and plan for continued community impact.
Leadership Waycross is a program fostering civic engagement, professional development, and regional collaboration. Through its curriculum, the program equips emerging and established leaders with the knowledge and networks needed to make a difference in the community and beyond.
For information, email the Waycross- Ware County Chamber of Commerce at www.waycrosschamber. org or Lauralee Beauregard, Steering Committee Chair, at lbeauregard@ coastalpines.edu
The Leadership Waycross Class of 2025 held its graduation November 6 to celebrate a near yearlong program of exposure to a variety of state and local topics in an effort to strengthen the community in the future. SPECIAL PHOTO
