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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 22, 2025
Benton Harbor MI - The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, in collaboration with Lake Michigan College and Legata Leadership Solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its latest leadership development initiative: Management Accelerator. This cutting-edge program is designed to strengthen the skills of those managing teams—whether newly promoted, seasoned supervisors, or small business owners—by equipping them with the tools and insights necessary to inspire performance, build trust, and drive organizational success.
Launching this fall under the Chamber’s Leadership Development umbrella, the program builds on the foundation laid by the highly successful Leadership Accelerator program, which focused on developing individual leadership styles. Management Accelerator shifts the focus from self-leadership to people leadership, recognizing that the ability to lead others effectively is a skillset all its own—and one that’s increasingly vital in today’s fast-moving, talent-driven economy.
“Strong leadership is the cornerstone of thriving businesses and communities,” said Arthur Havlicek, President & CEO of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber. “This program reflects our continued investment in that belief, offering a comprehensive and practical curriculum tailored specifically to those who lead teams, departments, and businesses.”
Developed by Experts, Delivered Locally
The Management Accelerator program is delivered in partnership with Lake Michigan College, whose Todd Center will serve as the host venue for the three-session experience. The college’s commitment to workforce development, regional prosperity, and community collaboration makes it the ideal institutional partner.
“Lake Michigan College is thrilled to expand our leadership development offerings in partnership with the Regional Chamber,” said LMC President Trevor Kubatzke. “We’re proud to host this program and provide a space where local leaders can grow their impact and sharpen their ability to lead others with confidence.”
Helping to shape and facilitate the program is Kim Kavala, founder and president of Legata Leadership Solutions, whose firm specializes in helping leaders grow through development, coaching, and organizational strategy. With more than 25 years of experience in Fortune 500 companies—including Whirlpool and McDonald’s—Kavala brings both strategic insight and a down-to-earth approach to the challenges faced by today’s managers.
“Exceptional leaders drive exceptional results,” said Kavala. “Management Accelerator is designed to help managers navigate the complexities of team leadership—from communication and coaching to decision-making and delegation. By focusing on both the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of leadership, we’re helping them elevate not only their teams, but their organizations as a whole.”
What Participants Will Learn
The Management Accelerator is structured as a cohort-based experience consisting of three full-day sessions, held September 11, October 2, and November 6 at LMC’s Benton Harbor Campus. With enrollment capped at 25 participants, the program is intentionally designed to foster interaction, reflection, and real-world application.
Over the course of the program, participants will explore topics such as:
- Building their leadership brand
- Understanding Hogan personality insights
- Delegating for development
- Providing impactful feedback
- Navigating performance and career conversations
- Handling conflict and managing time wisely
Each participant will complete a Hogan Insights Assessment, a powerful personality tool that reveals how others perceive them as a leader. They’ll also receive a one-on-one coaching session with a certified leadership coach to help translate those insights into action.
“Our goal is to empower managers to lead with purpose, authenticity, and clarity,” said Kavala. “That means helping them understand themselves, align with their values, and then translate that into daily interactions that build trust and deliver results.”
Who Should Apply?
The Management Accelerator is ideal for:
- Newer leaders who have recently stepped into people management roles.
- Supervisors and managers looking to enhance their impact and develop their leadership toolkit.
- Small business owners who manage teams while juggling operational demands.
Applicants do not need to be Chamber members, and there is no cost to apply. Selection is competitive and based on several criteria, including current leadership role, demonstrated commitment to growth, and willingness to attend all three sessions in full. Alumni of the Chamber’s Leadership Accelerator program will be granted early access to apply before enrollment opens to the broader business community.
Program tuition is $1,500 per participant, typically covered by the employer or sponsoring organization. The investment is a tremendous value, given the depth of the curriculum, personalized coaching, assessments, and tools included in the experience.
Apply by August 1
Applications for the inaugural cohort are open now and due by August 1. Those selected will be notified shortly after with an invitation to join the program and further logistical details.
For more information or to apply, visit the Chamber’s website (smrchamber.com/management-accelerator ) or contact the team directly. Space is limited, and demand is expected to be high.
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