People

Jessica Bender, auxiliary services and college card manager, is among 59 professionals accepted into the 2018-19 Leadership Palm Beach County (LPBC) Engage program.

The Leadership Engage program is a highly-competitive 10-month program which offers participants a powerful new network and a transformative learning experience, with the intent to better Palm Beach County.

According to Marlee Brannock, events and marketing manager for LPBC, the organization received a record number of applicants this year.  She was selected by a committee for her professional leadership and service.

“This program will help me gain a deeper understanding of my own leadership style but will also greatly benefit the College,” Bender said.  “I will be able to promote the College within this group and gain connections throughout the community. Palm Beach State College is an integral part of this community, and me being a part of this group would only enhance the College’s visibility and show its commitment to educating the leaders of today and tomorrow.”

Participants, who come from diverse industries and backgrounds, will gain a deeper understanding of their own leadership styles, as well as understand the ways in which they can make significant improvements in the community.

They will meet as a group for one full day each month, from September to May, and travel on a bus to all areas of the county, exploring program topics such as agriculture, education, public safety and healthcare. They will also break up into smaller groups to do community engagement projects benefiting local nonprofits and aimed at tackling challenges facing the region.

Leadership Engage is the flagship program for LPBC which unites leaders to improve Palm Beach County and deepens their civic commitment and awareness of diverse issues and industries.