Leadership Lakes Region kicks off the 2026-27 program year

BRISTOL — Leadership Lakes Region launched its 2026-27 program year with Orientation Day at the Mayhew Program center, marking the official start of the journey for its newest class of civic and community leaders.

The program began with a warm welcome from Peter Saliba, executive director of The Mayhew Program, who defined the mission of the Mayhew Program and offered a tour of the facility. Ben Hill, class of 2025 and principal of Belmont Elementary School, led the class members on "The Leadership Journey Timeline." Participants created personal timelines mapping out their individual paths to current leadership roles and discussed "Leadership in the Lakes Region."

Jennifer Kelley, class of 2020 and executive director of the Greater Lakes Region Charitable Fund for Children, shared an inspiring presentation detailing her personal journey and lessons learned through nonprofit leadership across the region.

Scott Hunter, operations director at the Mayhew Program, led hands-on team-building exercises where class members constructed hockey nets to donate to The Mayhew Program. Once finished, participants put their creations to the test in a spirited floor hockey game.

Later in the day, Lisa Miles-Trefrey, regional training manager and leadership development at Casella Waste Systems, presented "Developing Yourself as a Leader." In this interactive session, participants designed personal "family crests" reflecting their core leadership qualities and values.

For more information about Leadership Lakes Region, visit leadershiplakesregion.org.