Northwestern College’s Center for Innovation & Leadership welcomes the 2024–25 cohort selected for the Accelerate Siouxland leadership development program. Starting Sept. 12, the participants will develop relationships in the region and be equipped to become stronger community leaders.
“Our goal is to help all of our participants grow in their understanding of leadership, of themselves, and of the many opportunities that exist in the Siouxland area,” says Russ Adams, who will lead the program along with Laura Jeltema, co-owner of KinderZone, Orange City.
Adams joined the Northwestern College staff in April 2024 after retiring as an award-winning superintendent, and former principal, from the MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District. Having served as an instructor in Northwestern’s online educational administration master’s program, Adams now serves as director of the Master of Education program in educational administration and as assistant director of the Center for Innovation & Leadership.
“Service and leadership are passions of mine, and Accelerate Siouxland is a program designed to help develop leaders in our region,” continues Adams. “I could not be more excited to be part of such a meaningful program that helps grow the Siouxland area by strengthening and connecting people.”
The cohort will learn how to impact communities through local leaders as they meet at locations throughout Siouxland on the second Thursday of each month. Additionally, participants will read and discuss acclaimed materials such as Franklin Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” “6 Critical Practices for Leading a Team” and “Unconscious Bias.” Using the tools they develop in the program, participants will complete a practical project designed to benefit the region.
“The more we understand people and get to know citizens in different communities, the more we care and the more we invest,” says Adams. “Participants will learn from and get to know Siouxland leaders, gaining a deeper understanding of, and commitment to, the communities and people in this area.”
This year’s selected participants include:
Taylor Decker – Orange City, Northwestern College
Boone DeKramer – Sioux Center, Link Manufacturing
Robin Harvey – Marcus, City of Marcus
Cindy Prewitt – Sheldon, Sheldon Community School District
Andrew Ruden – Le Mars, Link Manufacturing
Colby Shelton – Clive, Northwestern College student
Lindsey Van Bemmel – Doon, People’s Bank in Sioux Center
Cara Van Dam – Orange City, Schiebout Window & Door
Mariah Vande Brake – Orange City, EZ-Liner/Vogel Traffic Services
Bethany VanderZee – Sioux Center, Interstates
Nathan Wedel – Orange City, Iowa State Bank
