“Community leadership is the courage, creativity and capacity to inspire participation, development and sustainability for strong communities.”
- Gustav Nossal
Why a Leadership Program?
Leaders and emerging leaders play a vital role in the workplace and in our communities. It is important that they understand what is unique to their region and that they learn to navigate and embrace opportunities and challenges so that they can help build, define and promote the regions in which they work and call home. Informed leaders make informed decisions.
What is Leadership Metro South?
Leadership South Shore was established in 2016 by South Shore Bank in partnership with the South Shore Chamber of Commerce. In 2023 the Bank partnered with the Metro South Chamber of Commerce to bring the same leadership program to the Metro South region.
These celebrated programs select participants from a pool of applicants and leads them through a yearlong immersive learning curriculum, resulting in a group of individuals who are committed to transformative leadership in our community.
We are proud of the more than 160 highly motivated graduates whose commitment to using their knowledge has made a positive change in the region. Alumni of the program serve on the Program Planning Committees to help shape future learning experiences and keep the program fresh and relevant to current topics of interest.
The Leadership programs are not a starting point, but rather a process for emerging and established leaders to connect and inspire others to increase civic engagement, build vibrant communities and strengthen the regions where they work, live and play. Our graduates have formed new partnerships and collaborations amongst themselves as well as the new connections they make during the year. We are especially proud of those who have used their new knowledge to become actively involved in their community through volunteerism, board positions and civic and political service.
Program Content:
These yearlong, thought-provoking community leadership programs examines regional challenges and opportunities through expert panel discussions, virtual and on-site visits, presentations, focus groups, interactive activities and other innovative, experiential activities. The cohort convenes 8 times over a year, beginning in September.
Leadership Program Day themes in years past have included:
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Day explores various DEIB topics like creating and maintaining healthy workplace cultures, supporting marginalized employees, and strategies to build DEI awareness.
Past panelists have represented the following organizations: The Arc of the South Shore, MERGE, Diverse Abilities Inclusion Consulting, Global Partners LP, Pembroke for Racial Justice, Quincy Asian Resources Inc., Opportunities for Inclusion, Mass General Brigham, Hingham Pride Project, CarGurus, Bridgewater State University, St. Mary’s Center for Women & Children, Harvard Business School, YW Boston, Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, Foley Hoag LLC, Rotary District 7950, LN Westgate LLC and Betterment Works.
Exploring topics such as The Addiction Crisis: Response, Treatments and Supports; Homelessness and Food Shortages; Mental Health & Wellness; Effects of workforce shortage on the healthcare system. Some of the organizations involved previously include South Shore Health System, Interfaith Social Services, Father Bill’s & Mainspring, New Way Recovery Center, South Shore Peer Recovery, Bay State Community Services, BID Milton Hospital, MGH Harbor Medical, Road to Responsibility, Cohasset Working Dog Foundation, Norwell Visiting Nurse Association, Lynch Wellness, Manet Community Health Center, Bay State Community Services, MOAR, Braintree Community Partnership and Braintree Police Department Family Services Unit.
Exploring topics such as Post-Secondary Options Outside Traditional Four-Year University; STEM Learning Access; Changing Face of Early Education. Some of the organizations involved previously include South Shore Charter Public School, Weymouth High School, Massasoit Community College, MassHire South Shore Workforce Board, Southeastern Regional Vocational School, Carver Public Schools, Quincy Public Schools, Map Academy, New Heights Charter School, Stonehill College Photonics Program, South Shore Technical Regional High School, United Way, SSYMCA, Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and Sargent Child and Family Services.
Exploring topics such as Programming and Classification for Inmates; K9 Demonstration with Plymouth County Sheriff; Crime Lab Analysis; Drug Court and the new face of Community Policing. Some of the organizations involved previously include Plymouth County Sherriff’s Department, Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, Hanover Police Department, the office of the Plymouth County District Attorney, Norfolk County Sheriff’s department, Braintree Police Department, Kingston Police, Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro, P.C., Bay State Community Services, Quincy District Court and Sweeney & Associates LLC.
Exploring topics such as Economic Development in Braintree, Brockton, Weymouth, Quincy, and Bridgewater; Real Estate and Commercial Expansion; Manufacturing on the South Shore and Metro South regions; the Effects of Covid on business growth and the housing shortage effect on economic growth. Some of the organizations involved previously include South Shore Chamber of Commerce, Metro South Chamber of Commerce, Union Point, Jack Conway Realty, The Kingston Collection, Atlantic Mechanical, SEED Corporation, the local Mayors of Braintree, Quincy, and Weymouth, Hynes Restaurant Group, Fireking Baking, Widowmaker Brewing, In Good Health, Crown Uniform & Linen, South Shore Economic Development Council, Hanover Crossing, Rustic Marlin, NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, Brockton Beer Company, Concord Foods, Ellis Realty, FoxRock Properties, Yankee Traders Seafood.
Exploring topics such as Impact of Arts on Economic Development; Growing our Community with Arts & Culture; Hospitality & Tourism; Creative Arts Therapies. Some of the organizations involved in the past include Mass Cultural Council, South Shore Conservatory, Company Theatre, Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, South Shore Art Center, Plymouth Bay Cultural District, Zildjian, South Shore Children’s Chorus, Brockton Public Schools Music Department, Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, High Output Studios, Pilgrim Hall Museum, The Spire, Rodman for Kids, Specialized Career Guidance, Sing/Explore/Create, Map Academy, A.R.T.S. Foundation, Genesis Dance Therapy, Enso Flats Gallery, Brockton Arts, Fuller Craft Museum, Drama Kids, and Plymouth Center for the Arts.
Program Timeline:
The Leadership Programs runs from October through May, with a September orientation and graduation date. Participants attend a program day once monthly during fall/spring, with dates provided at the start of the program year. As attendance is a key pillar to program success, participants are required to attend all program days. Applicants also must submit an Employer Commitment Form to assure mutual understanding and support of anticipated participation requirements with their employers.
Applying to the Program:
Each year we select a diverse group of emerging leaders who want to advance their personal and professional development and make genuine connections within their cohort. There is a Tuition Fee of $500 to participate in the program, which covers all program-related activities, transportation and materials.
Applications for the 2025-2026 cohorts for both programs are open as of April 2, 2025 and close on May 2, 2025. Each applicant will be invited to an in-person interview with members of the program’s Steering committee during the month of May, with selections announced mid-June. There are limited seats available for each program, therefore participation is generally limited to one person per organization.
Questions? Email leadership@southshorebank.com.