Leadership NOW – an intensive leadership development program led by the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Genesee County – will kick off its third cohort later this month, with a group of 18 high-potential leaders who live and/or work Genesee County.

Over the next 10 months, these participants will participate in more than 100 hours of training, covering everything from developing followership to creating and implementing a vision. They will also receive several hours of personalized coaching, focused on honing their personal leadership styles.

The cohort includes:

Timiya Banks, Grand Blanc, is a Data Manager at the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. She serves as a board member for the Center for Higher Educational Achievement. She has a Bachelor of Science in business from Ferris State University.

Shavonta Crawford, Flint, is a Teacher at Carman Ainsworth Community Schools. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan – Flint, Master of Education in educational administration from Jones International University and a Master of Science in special education from Western Governors University.

Michael Czop, Fenton, is the Senior VP/Chief Commercial Officer of TIDI Products, LLC. He has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in accounting from Central Michigan University. He has served as a Fenton Little League Baseball Coach since 2009.

Steven Elkins, Flint, is the Experience Manager at Flint & Genesee Chamber. He serves as president of both the Genesee School District Board of Education and Genesee County Association of School Board. He has a Bachelor of Arts in business administration from Baker College.

Jamie Florida, Grand Blanc, is a Project Manager/Research Assistant at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. She has a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Michigan-Flint and a Bachelor of Science in both biology and environmental studies from Central Michigan University. She aims to complete her Master of Public Health in health education this spring.

Tiffiny L. Griffin, Rochester Hills, is the Director of Council Initiatives at the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan.  She has an associate degree in applied arts from Kellogg Community College and Bachelor of Science in communication from Eastern Michigan University.

Rachel Johnson, Fenton, is the Director of Development & Sexual Assault Services at the YWCA of Greater Flint. She has an associate degree in social work from Mott Community College and a Bachelor of Science in counseling psychology from Rochester College. She aims to complete her Master of Social Work from Michigan State University this spring.

Lynette Kaiser, Grand Blanc, is a Nutrition Program Instructor at the MSU Extension.

Arther Mance, Flint, is a Team Leader at Morley Companies. He is the vice president of the Mott Park Neighborhood Association. He is pursuing a degree in business management from Baker College.

Nicole Mason, Fenton, is Director of Human Resources at TIDI Products, LLC. She has a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary social science and human resources and a Master of Business Administration, all from Michigan State University.

Jasmine McKenney, Flint, is a Senior Procurement Counselor at the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce. She has a Bachelor of Arts in communications and culture from Howard University.

Caitlin O’Neil, Davison, is a Marketing Assistant at Sloan Museum & Longway Planetarium. She serves as a committee member for the Flint Muslim Food Pantry. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan-Flint.

Shakya Pea, Grand Blanc, is the Intake Coordinator at Absolute Home Health and Hospice. She has a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of Michigan – Flint.

Tom Roark, Grand Blanc, is a Senior Director at Diplomat. He serves on the strategic leadership committee for Faithway Committee School.

Jessica L. Robinson, Flint, is a Program Manager at the Crim Fitness Foundation. She has a Bachelor of Science in health fitness and a Master of Arts in physical education and sport from Central Michigan University. She is pursuing a Master of Public Health in health administration from the University of Michigan-Flint.

Stacie Scherman, Grand Blanc, is the Vice President of Flint Distributing Co. She serves on the boards of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Committee and the University of Michigan-Flint’s Student Publications.

Shearese Nekail Stapleton, Swartz Creek, is an Associate Teacher at GISD Headstart. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in social work from Mott Community College.

Tom Travis, Flint, is the Director of the Personal Success Program at Carriage Town Ministries.