Becoming a servant leader is one of the most powerful expressions of community love. There is no higher calling than serving to help others. Locally, there are many opportunities to serve the community. There are also several programs available that can enhance the servant leadership experience, including Leadership Middle Tennessee, Leadership Sumner and Leadership Gallatin.
Lee Rucks
President of Leadership Middle Tennessee, Leadership Anderson, SC 2000, Leadership Sumner 2012
What is the purpose of leadership programs such as Leadership Middle Tennessee?
“Each leadership program provides participants with opportunities to work alongside each other to accomplish goals such as fundraisers and service projects. Learning to work together for the common good helps everyone become better servant leaders.”
What did you learn about yourself when going through the programs?
“I discovered that I have a servant’s heart and enjoy leading from behind. I’m thankful for my experiences as both a participant and a leader for helping me learn and grow.”
What would you say to a prospective leadership program applicant?
"I highly encourage anyone who is interested in strengthening leadership skills, making new friends, and learning more about the community in which they live, to apply to a leadership program – it will be a wise investment!”
Erin Birch
CEO of United Way of Sumner County, Leadership Sumner 20
How did you become interested in Leadership Sumner?
“I have always been interested in serving my community. I kept hearing from multiple people about the value of Leadership Sumner, and how it was a great way to meet other community-minded leaders.”
Each leadership program requires a considerable time investment – was it worth it for you?
“The September kick-off overnight retreat was a great way to get to know your fellow classmates in a casual setting. During the remainder of the program, each day was intentionally planned out so that there was great value and no wasted time. I found the commitment to be completely worth it.”
What did you learn about yourself when going through the Leadership Sumner?
“I learned that I truly enjoy history, particularly the rich history of Sumner County.”
Andy Gilley
Director of Hendersonville Parks & Recreation, Leadership Sumner 2020
What did you enjoy the most about Leadership Sumner?
“The thing I enjoyed most was getting to know some incredible people and leaders in our community with whom I would have never met otherwise. Since then, it has been a joy watching them do some amazing things in our community.”
What is something that you learned about the community that you did not know before Leadership Sumner?
“I learned about some great little farms being run by passionate young entrepreneurs that are providing food all over Sumner County. It was also my first time seeing the Temple Theater in Portland. It has been exciting to see that venue come to life over the past few years. Finally, I was fortunate to be in the same class as Desneige VanCleve from Grace Place Ministry. It was wonderful getting to know her and to learn about the great things that her organization does.”
Ingrid Korgemagi
Chief Strategy Officer at CAMPFIR3, Leadership Louisville, KY, Leadership Sumner 202
How did you become interested in Leadership Sumner?
“My neighbors, Lee and Matt Rucks, both past Leadership Sumner graduates, recommended the program to me after my husband and I moved to Hendersonville from Louisville. They both felt that it would be a great way for me to network and to learn about my new community.”
Have you become more involved with the community since going through Leadership Sumner?
“Yes, most definitely. After graduating, I joined the board of Leadership Sumner to help the program continue to grow and evolve. I also became interested in the Hendersonville Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the Planning Commission to keep up with how things are being managed in our community. Someday, I hope to serve my community with one of those organizations.”
Would you recommend the leadership programs to others?
“Yes. Last year, I recruited a member of the Leadership Sumner class of 2025.”
John Isbell,
Sumner County Mayor, Leadership Middle Tennessee 2024, Leadership Sumner 2002
What did you enjoy the most about the leadership programs?
“I loved getting the opportunity to meet many new friends, build stronger relationships and learn more about our great county and region.”
What did you learn about yourself when going through the Leadership Sumner?
“I learned that had a strong desire to give back to my community through service. I also developed a greater commitment to helping to maintain the charm and character of Sumner County and Middle Tennessee.”
Have you become more involved with the community since going through the leadership programs?
“I was already involved in several areas of the community prior to attending Leadership Sumner. However, after going through that program followed years later by attending Leadership Middle Tennessee, my commitment to serving our community was reinforced, and my desire to give back increased.”
Karen Mitchell
VP of Resource Development at Volunteer State Community College, Leadership Sumner 2001
What did you enjoy the most about Leadership Sumner?
“Leadership Sumner was a great experience, both personally and professionally. I feel like I grew as a person, and I developed relationships with people I would likely have never met. I also learned a tremendous amount about the county that had become my home.”
What is something that you learned about the community that you did not know before Leadership Sumner?
“I learned so much that it is hard to be specific. However, I learned a lot about Westmoreland, White House and Portland, three communities that I didn’t know much about beforehand.”
What did you learn about yourself when going through the Leadership Sumner?
“I learned that we live in a great county with a lot going on, and that I wanted to become involved and contribute everywhere that I could.”
Brenda Payne,
Community Activist and Volunteer, Leadership Middle Tennessee 2002, Leadership Sumner 1996
Have you become more involved with the community since going through the leadership programs?
“Absolutely. I’ve chaired several nonprofit boards, helped raise funds for many other organizations and I have developed regional connections that foster better communications and coordination across our community.”
Each leadership program requires a considerable time investment – was it worth it for you?
“While the commitment is significant, the return for the time invested is priceless. The leadership programs foster strong relationships between classmates and alumni that create foundations of trust and credibility that help our community grow and prosper.”
Would you recommend the leadership programs to others?
“Absolutely. We have lots of creativity in Sumner County and the surrounding region and programs such as Leadership Sumner and Leadership Middle Tennessee help us to tap into it for the betterment of all.”
"I’ve seen careers changed, lifelong friendships developed, perspectives gained and much more from the leadership programs."
Lee Rucks
"Leadership Sumner is for anyone wishing to serve."
John Isbell