There is something pretty special about seeing CEO come full circle. π
This morning, we welcomed Lauren Berry, Jefferson County CEO Class of 2021 alum, back to Jefferson County CEO, this time as our guest speaker! Lauren serves as the Community Engagement Director for the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.
Lauren shared a message centered around the power of community and reminded our young entrepreneurs that they donβt have to wait until someday to make an impact.
Community = people + connection + shared purpose.
Drawing from her own CEO experience and the years since, Lauren encouraged students to recognize that their ideas and talents have value right now. She challenged them to support the people and businesses around them and to take advantage of the opportunities CEO will give them to become more connected to their community.
Lauren also gave our young entrepreneurs their first challenge of the year! She tasked them with working together to develop an idea for something our local community could use to serve young people. It was an opportunity to begin putting the CEO mindset into action by identifying a need, sharing ideas, listening to one another, and thinking about how they can create value for others.
As someone who has already walked in their shoes, Lauren offered some great advice for making the most of their CEO year:
β’ Listen to everyoneβs ideas
β’ Use each personβs strengths
β’ Communicate clearly
β’ Stay organized
β’ Ask your community for support
β’ Remember, you are one team
β’ Take advantage of every day
And as an extra special touch, Lauren came prepared with a handwritten note of encouragement for each of our young entrepreneurs and our Facilitator as we begin this CEO year. It was a simple but meaningful example of the very message she shared: taking the time to invest in people and add value to those around you.
One of the greatest parts of CEO is watching the impact continue long after students complete the program. Our alumni become business owners, professionals, community members, mentors and, like Lauren, the people who come back to invest in the next generation.
Thank you, Lauren, for coming back to invest in our current young entrepreneurs and reminding them that they donβt have to wait to make a difference in their community. Thatβs CEO coming full circle! π
#JeffersonCountyCEO #CEOAlumni #Community #CEOMindset #FullCircle
