Pebble Club: 2015 Campaign, Part 4

The final post in our Pebble Club series introduces you to three more donors. Meet Ted, Hope, and Viancca:

Ted Grossnickle
Connection to LeaderShape: 
Cluster Facilitator at Campus Session, Summer 2011
On-Site Coordinator at National Session, Summer 2011

Why I support LeaderShape through the Pebble Club:
I believe in supporting organizations that align with my core values and make a positive change in society.  At one point in my life, I was able to dedicate time to LeaderShape, and hope to again in the future.  Currently not having the schedule flexibility to be directly involved with LeaderShape sessions, I embrace the opportunity to stay connected via monetary support as a member of the Pebble Club.  I am proud to know that I am part of the support group that contributes to the advancement of this wonderful organization.

One piece of advice I would share with someone participating in a LeaderShape program is:
Embrace the opportunity.  Fully embrace it.  Diving in head first to this experience will be a decision you never regret when reflecting on how positively such a short amount of time could be so impactful on your life.

I live the lessons and mission of LeaderShape in my own life by/through:
Currently, I am the Director of the Michigan Creativity Association - an organization charged with creating the next generation of innovative thinkers and leaders.  I have the opportunity to live the lessons of LeaderShape by creating opportunities for K-12 students to live, lead, and learn with integrity in a creative exploration context.  Embracing a healthy disregard for the impossible, I have taken on the monumental task of providing international learning experiences for students, which have included trips to Beijing, China and Wrocław, Poland for global celebrations of student creativity.

Hope Miller Miles
Connection to LeaderShape: 
Our institution hosted the Catalyst program and has also sent students to the annual Leadershape Institute hosted by Baltimore Collegetown organization. I am also a close personal friend of Leadershape staff member Kristen Bendon Hyman.

Why I support LeaderShape through the Pebble Club:
I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to take part in this life-changing program and I fully believe in the mission of Leadershape.

One piece of advice I would share with someone participating in a LeaderShape program is: Go in with an open mind, open heart, and be open to learning something you might not have recognized in yourself and in others.

I live the lessons and mission of LeaderShape in my own life by/through:
Living with passion and remembering to make each day an opportunity to impact the world around me.


Viancca Williams

Connection to LeaderShape:

Co-Lead Facilitator

Why I support LeaderShape through the Pebble Club: 

I believe LeaderShape is the preeminent leadership and personal development program in the nation for college students. The focus on leading with integrity and having a healthy disregard for the impossible lines up with my values set and gives me hope for a better world.

One piece of advice I would share with someone participating in a LeaderShape program is: Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable! This allows you to reflect in a deeper manner on who you are and allows others to see that you’re human. 

I live the lessons and mission of LeaderShape in my own life by/through: 

Reflecting on my values daily and making sure that my decisions and actions match those values

If you are ready to join the Pebble Club, you can do so by visiting the Donate page on our website. Don't forget to click the "Pebble Club" box. 

Pebble Club: 2015 Campaign, Part 3

Here it is! The third post (here are the first and second) in our Pebble Club series. We are excited for you to meet donors Maddie, Randy, and Maureen:

Maddie Brink

Connection to LeaderShape:

I graduated from the Institute in May of 2013. 

Why I support LeaderShape through the Pebble Club:

I support Leadershape through the Pebble Club because I genuinely believe in the ideals of Leadershape. I wish everyone could experience Leadershape because it has made my life so much fuller. I hope Leadershape becomes a huge community.

One piece of advice I would share with someone participating in a LeaderShape program is:

Be aware of how large the Leadershape community already is before you became a part of it. Be humble because you are not the first person to experience something so life-changing. Reach out to the broader community and pay attention to stories. This way, you will be okay existentially as you ponder on whether or not Leadershape is something different from the "real" world.

I live the lessons and mission of LeaderShape in my own life by/through: 

The way I embody Leadershape is by repeating it like a mantra in my mind. There are some situations where I feel anxious or unsure of how my own behavior is going to affect other people. Whenever I say Leadershape in my mind for myself, I feel more comfortable just being me. Whenever I do so, my heart feels calmer and I can better serve myself and the people near me.

Randy Lewis

Connection to LeaderShape:

Co-Lead Faciliator

Why I support LeaderShape through the Pebble Club:

It is another way that I can try to make a difference in someone's life. I love the teachings

and learnings of LeaderShape's Institute program and all it stands for!  

One piece of advice I would share with someone participating in a LeaderShape program is:  Hold On! It's a bit of a wild ride, and at times it starts to seem like another class or workshop you have taken, but believe me it's not. 

I live the lessons and mission of LeaderShape in my own life by/through:

Being the highest level of integrity I can at work and within my personal life! The value of my word is huge for me so I will always follow through what I promise in doing!  

Maureen Metcalf

Connection to LeaderShape: 

Former leader in residence for LeaderShape and also author who collaborates with

LeaderShape and donates portion of books

Why I support LeaderShape through the Pebble Club: 

I believe that developing solid young leaders is directly tied to the quality of future for our country. The work LeaderShape does is highly significant in accomplishing the goal of building strong young leaders

One piece of advice I would share with someone participating in a LeaderShape program is: Take it seriously – get as much out of it as you can. What you learn now will shape the rest of your life!

I live the lessons and mission of LeaderShape in my own life by/through: 

My clarity about my own mission /vision and living those every day. My life is dedicated to living my dream to make the world a better place.

If you are ready to join the Pebble Club, you can do so by visiting the Donate page on our website. Don't forget to click the "Pebble Club" box. 

Pebble Club: 2015 Campaign, Part 2

As we mentioned in our previous blog post, the Pebble Club is up and running and accepting new members. We are using this campaign as an opportunity to introduce some of the great people who make up the Pebble Club. 

Meet Lindsay, Ally, and Zauyah:

Lindsay Carpenter

Connection to LeaderShape: 

In 1999, I was Director of Training for Nordstrom on the West Coast. My counterpart for the Midwest Region had attended the Institute as an undergrad at KU, then years later volunteered to be a Cluster Facilitator at a national session. He returned from that experience and called to tell me he'd signed me up to be a Cluster Facilitator! I protested - no time - but ended up doing it anyway and the rest is history - I was hooked!

Why I support LeaderShape through the Pebble Club:

The question should be why not support Pebble Club? Why miss the opportunity to show support for an organization I work for and totally believe in and represent when I facilitate? For a very nominal fee you also get a T-shirt - how cool is that!!!

One piece of advice I would share with someone participating in a LeaderShape program is:

When participating in a LeaderShape experience, approach with an open mind and just let it happen. No two experiences will ever be the same. Facilitating the Institute reaffirms my value system and solidifies my passions. Plus the conversations that ensue during that week are far more profound than those I normally have with life-long friends.  It is a special time, savor every minute.

I live the lessons and mission of LeaderShape in my own life by/through: 

I look at my prioritized values all the time and strive to live life according to those values. In retirement, I am giving back to my community on a daily basis through volunteer work. By being the best authentic me, I make my immediate surroundings a more just, thriving, caring space.

Ally Vertigan​
Connection to LeaderShape: 

​2009 Elmhurst College Institute participant, 2010 Elmhurst College Institute On-Site Coordinator​.

Why I support LeaderShape through the Pebble Club: 

​LeaderShape instilled in me a belief that one person can make a difference, in any cause and in any circumstance. It also taught me that being idle in the pursuit of justice is not an option; it will take all of us to create a just, caring, and thriving world.

One piece of advice I would share with someone participating in a LeaderShape program is:
Trust the process! Give yourself fully to it and allow yourself to experience each activity as if it were the first time.​

I live the lessons and mission of LeaderShape in my own life by/through: 

​Thinking deeply and critically about my decisions, particularly how they match up with my values of integrity, authenticity, and relationship.

Zauyah Waite

Connection to LeaderShape: 

I was recommended and applied to be a Cluster Facilitator for the Institute. I participated in the June 2000 Institute held at Allerton Park in Illinois.

Why I support LeaderShape through the Pebble Club:

After I  participated in the Institute in 2000, I was sold for life. I have sponsored students from the universities I served since then and supporting LeaderShape through the Pebble Club is just one more natural progressive move.

One piece of advice I would share with someone participating in a LeaderShape program is:

Keep an open mind take in everything to gain lessons that will last a life time.

I live the lessons and mission of LeaderShape in my own life by/through: 

Although it has been 15 years since I was a facilitator at a session of the Institute, the experience affirmed for me that the best way to live and lead is with integrity. I have also strived to connect and serve alongside others who want to improve and reach their highest potential while contributing positively to their communities.

If you are ready to join the Pebble Club, you can do so by visiting the Donate page on our website. Don't forget to click the "Pebble Club" box. 

Pebble Club: 2015 Campaign, Part 1

Not too long ago we started the Pebble Club, a giving campaign for LeaderShape. 3 years and almost 300 members later, the Pebble Club is going strong. And now it's time to kick off this year's campaign! 

The Pebble Club is filled with wonderful LeaderShape community members and advocates - and we want to introduce you to some of them! We hope you enjoy learning about our donors and why they are a part of the Pebble Club. Maybe you'll even be inspired to think about your own responses to the questions we posed to them. 

And now, the first post in our series. Meet Anne and Zak.

Anne Arseneau

Connection to LeaderShape: 

Devoted Fan and Supporter! Current Co-Lead Facilitator, former staff member, Cluster Facilitator, and my favorite role…On-Site Coordinator.

Why I support LeaderShape through the Pebble Club:

I’m privileged to be able to give my time and talent to groups that I care about. The Pebble Club is one small way to support LeaderShape. And on a deeply personal note related to the pebble used on Day 6 at the Institute, I actually played a part in adding that into the curriculum way back in the mid-90’s. While I was on staff at LeaderShape, I attended a workshop that closed out their activities using the metaphor of the ripple effect and each participant was given a pebble as a reminder. I thought it was a great metaphor and way to remember and would be a perfect thing to enhance how we close out a session of The LeaderShape Institute. It’s been a part of the curriculum ever since – so I feel a special personal connection to the Pebble Club!

One piece of advice I would share with someone participating in a LeaderShape program is:

Come prepared for introspection, connection, relationship building, and some fun!

I live the lessons and mission of LeaderShape in my own life by/through:

It’s helped me stay in the practice of being committed to being a person of integrity.  I try to work hard every day to be someone who can be trusted and respected by the people I am in relationship with. And when I mess up, I try to admit, apologize, and attend as quickly as possible.

Zak Bittinger
Connection to LeaderShape: 
Ohio State - 2010 Institute Participant, 2011 Steering Committee Member, 2012 On-Site Coordinator

Why I support LeaderShape through the Pebble Club: 

LeaderShape is a constant inspiration for why I'm in medical school. If the program can drive me to believe in myself and my vision, I know it can inspire students (and everyone else!) to achieve amazing things. And I want to help that happen in any way I can.

One piece of advice I would share with someone participating in a LeaderShape program is:

Live the program every day. Everyone gets swept up in the beauty of LeaderShape while they're participating because it's so enlightening and uniting. But it takes real strength, courage, and conviction to continue living your vision each and every Day 7.

I live the lessons and mission of LeaderShape in my own life by/through: 

Being a patient advocate. As a medical student I'm in a position where I can spend more time with patients--I can sit with them, talk with them, and listen to them and it doesn't even necessarily have to be about their conditions. I try to build my own little just, caring, thriving world inside those rooms by letting patients express themselves even while they may be suffering.

If you are ready to join the Pebble Club, you can do so by visiting the Donate page on our website. Don't forget to click the "Pebble Club" box. 

Institute FAQs

Institute FAQs

The Institute is LeaderShape’s six-day immersion program that challenges participants to lead with integrity while working towards a vision grounded in their deepest values. Participants explore what they want to do and who they want to be.

Who is the Institute for?

The curriculum was created for individuals who are committed to taking their leadership to the next level and who want to make a significant impact on campus, in the communities, and in the world.

Those who attend generally do so through an affiliation through the college or university they attend. We are fortunate to work with so many wonderful campus and organization partners who are committed to the development of ethical leaders. We also have the opportunity to welcome participants even if there isn’t institutional or organizational involvement.

How is the Institute different from other conferences and residential programs?

Everyone who attends the Institute engages in the same activities and contributes to the same conversations. While the involvement of the individual is honored and expected, everything during the Institute is approached with a sense of community. Everyone is viewed as a learner and as a teacher. This belief is evident as the community is created through the contributions of everyone at the Institute, with time spent in meaningful conversation serving as its foundation.

Unlike conferences, participants don’t only leave the six days with a few tips and ideas. Graduates of the Institute experience a breakthrough in their leadership capacity.

How will we spend our time during the Institute?

Everything in the curriculum is anchored to four themes: community, inclusivity, integrity, and vision. Therefore the work that we do during the six days is tied, in some way, to these concepts.

We participate in large group activities, in small group exercises, in conversation with one another, and in personal reflection. We set out to discover our most deeply held values and greatest passions and how they can come together to give our lives and work purpose. We learn how developing a vision and plan of action can create lasting change. We reflect on how our personal styles and life experiences influence our leadership and our relationships. Those who graduate from the Institute leave as an agent of positive change in the world.

Why Six Days?

Six days is a lot of time to give – and we ask that time of participants because we see such value in the extended time together. Six days allows us to remove ourselves from the day-to-day demands of life and focus more intently on discovering who we want to be. It gives us the chance us to move beyond the masks of our composure and embrace the opportunity to share our authentic selves. Six days for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Six days to make the experience your own.

Bigger Picture

LeaderShape believes in the possibility of and is working towards the creation of a just, caring, and thriving world. If every one lives and leads with integrity and if everyone holds a healthy disregard for the impossible we can get there! We aren’t alone in the desire to live in this type of world! Participants from the Institute engage in this extraordinary work and make a difference in their communities and in the world.

I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.
Mother Teresa

Make Ripples

Earlier this summer we invited the members of our community to be a part of the Pebble Club. The pebble holds significant meaning for folks who have participated in The LeaderShape Institute. It is a physical reminder of the far-reaching - and sometimes unknown - impact each of us can make, just like the many ripples a pebble creates when it is tossed into the water.

But sometimes we forget. We forget that our words and actions have the power to make a difference far beyond our own understanding. We get distracted from doing the work we are passionate about.

Let’s remember today. Let’s focus today.

Take time right now to think, to plan, to act. Where do you want to make a difference? What do you need to do to create the time and space to do so? Who shares your passion and how can you move forward together?

What can you do today?

Remember. Focus.

Make ripples.