Leadership Aberdeen
We are excited to be kicking off the 2026 Leadership Aberdeen program on January 8th with 31 participants. Leadership Aberdeen, established in 1987, is an immersive leadership development program designed to equip participants with the skills, insights, and connections needed to lead with purpose. Set in a dynamic, fast-paced, and supportive environment, the program challenges individuals to explore their personal leadership style, enhance key skills, and make a lasting impact in their workplace, community, and region.
Running from January through April, the program features a robust schedule of workshops, hands-on learning, and community engagement. It begins on January 8 with an introductory session and networking mixer, followed by a full-day deep dive into CliftonStrengths on January 9. Weekly evening sessions explore a variety of leadership topics.
A key component of Leadership Aberdeen is its close partnership with local businesses. Throughout the program, participants hear directly from business leaders, tour local facilities, and gain behind-the-scenes insights into the economic and operational drivers of the region. These experiences offer a unique opportunity to connect theory with practice and see leadership in action across industries.
Participants will also take part in a collaborative class project, attend a Legislative Coffee and Aberdeen Day at the Legislature, and learn about city government and civic leadership. The program concludes on April 16 with a graduation celebration, recognizing the accomplishments and growth of each participant.
Whether you’re an emerging leader or a seasoned professional looking to grow your influence, Leadership Aberdeen offers the tools, experiences, and connections to take your leadership to the next level.
2026 Schedule and Brochure
2026 BUSINESS PARTNERS: 3M Company, Agtegra Cooperative, Avera, Dacotah Bank, Demkota Ranch Beef, Glacial Lakes Energy, My Place Hotels. Northern State University, and Sanford Health.
Class Projects
Each year, the Leadership Aberdeen class gives back to the community by facilitating a local project or event that will have a positive impact on the Aberdeen community. Here is a list of the incredible projects and events that were facilitated by Leadership Aberdeen participants since 2004:
2004: The class originated the “Shoot for the Stars” Special Olympics Basketball Game. The class organized a community basketball game where Aberdeen “celebrities” played against the Special Olympics team to give them practice before their state tournament. The event raised money for Special Olympics and the event continues to this day with Thrivent as a major partner.
2005: The class hosted a “Taste of the World” event where different foods from different cultures were highlighted as way to help the community be more understanding and welcoming of different cultures. The event raised approximately $1600 that was donated to the Dacotah Prairie Museum
2006: The class hosted the “Community Cares Music Fest” at Presentation College’s Strode Center and featured nine local musical acts from grade school groups to adults. Close to $2000 was raised by admission tickets and presented to local military troops and their families.
2007: The class used information compiled by Catalytix to engage young people and showcase what our community had available to them. The SOAR event (Students, Opportunities, Activities and Resources) was held at both Aberdeen middle schools and close to 35 organizations promoted what they had to offer to students.
2008: The class organized a “Link to Life” event that was held in conjunction with the Spring Job Fair. The class served as community ambassadors, visiting with job seekers on resources and opportunities available to them in Aberdeen. Aberdeen continues to have a booth at each job fair which showcases the community.
2009: The class project was “Pay it Forward” and focused on securing volunteers for community service clubs and organizations. The class organized a service club fair in conjunction with the Great Outdoor Show in an effort to get more people volunteering in the community.
2010: The class held and event called ”All About Aberdeen: Discover the People, Discover the Fun” where they set up a carnival-type atmosphere which included games, snacks and prizes. It was held at Roncalli Elementary School and was designed to bring the community together to have fun and find out what Aberdeen has to offer families.
2011: The class hosted an event called “A Tall for them All” which was a kick-off for the newly formed Sidekicks mentoring program. The class raised money for the program and secured “talls” (mentors) and “smalls” (youth participants).
2012: The class worked with Volunteers of America Dakota’s to develop The Children’s Closet. They physically set up the store with donated items from the community and donated funds to the organization. The VOA uses the closet as a way to incent and assist program participants.
2013: The class held a “SNOLF” Snow Golf Tournament at Wylie Lake to raise awareness and money for juvenile diabetes. The class donated over $8,000 to Camp Gilbert from business donations and team registration fees.
2014: The class held “A Goal For Safe Harbor” event to raise funds for the Safe Harbor new building campaign and to raise awareness of Domestic Violence. The class held the event during an Aberdeen Wings Games and raised more $35,000 through business donations, the shoot out and raffle.
2015: The class opened the “Help Build It Center” for Hub Area Habitat for Humanity. The store sells donated construction and household renovation items. They raised over $6,000 to go towards the center and to help the organization to build Habitat homes in our area as well as other habitat for Humanity programs.
2016: The class raised over $16,000 for Spurs of Aberdeen. They held a “Horse Pie Bingo” event, bake sale and raffle. Spurs used the funds to build a barn and coral at their facility. The group was also able to work with local companies and contractors to donate time and equipment for the building project.
2017: The class hosted the 1st Annual Day of Distinction to provide people in the Aberdeen area to gather with their peers and listen to five locally and nationally recognized speakers for personal and professional development. The class donated $1000 to the Boys and Girls Club.
2018: The Class worked with local artists to refurbish “ghost advertising signs” in the downtown Area. The project is still continuing today with 6 total signs completed to date in the downtown area.
2019: The class hosted “Night In A Car For Journey Home” to raise awareness about homelessness in our community. They raised $20,000 for The Journey Home.
2020: The class facilitated the Hub City Hound Contest, a photo contest and fundraiser in support of the Aberdeen Area Humane Society campaign for a new building. They raised $21,130 for the Humane Society.
2021: The class organized “Ask Me About Aberdeen” where participants set up booths at community events to welcome newcomers with information and Aberdeen “swag” bags.
2022: The class worked with Lutheran Social Services and the Aberdeen School District to implement the Hub City Heroes Mentoring Program.
2023: The class held the first Aberdeen Burger Battle with ten participating restaurants. The driving mission behind the Aberdeen Burger Battle, was to raise awareness of food insecurity in the community. The class donated $10,000 to the Salvation Army of Aberdeen. Burger voters also generously donated about $500.
2024: The class raised $175,000 to purchase a snow-making machine and groomer for Area Federal Credit Union Sledding Hill at Baird Park. The project was a collaborative effort with the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department who will maintain the park and provided continual upgrades and additions.
2025: The class raised over $48,000 to support the building of a pump with Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry. The track will include a circuit of rollers, banked turns, and other features all designed to be used by bicyclists, skate boards and scooters.