The Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn was the site of the first H.A.Y.D.E.N. Leadership Class graduation ceremony. The Thursday event saw 23 people parade to the podium to collect their plaques.  

Hayden Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Andrea Fulks was one of them.  

“I thought the leadership class was very successful — we had great participation overall,” Fulks said. “I went through the program because I wanted to see what the other participants were going through so I could pass the information along to the next class.” 

The H.A.Y.D.E.N. acronym stands for Harnessing Your Strengths, Achieving Effective Communication, Yearning for Innovation, Driving Results Through People, Elevating Your Leadership and Navigating Difficult Conversations.  

Fulks and local business consultant Michael Wolsten were the brain trust that designed the program, which equips participants with the tools and insights needed to grow as leaders within their businesses and the community.    

“The six-month leadership development program combines educational sessions with practical, hands-on learning experiences,” Wolsten said. “Each session focuses on a core leadership topic and includes opportunities to learn from local business leaders and successful community figures.”  

Fulks said she participated in the Post Falls River City Leadership Class in 2019 but wanted the Hayden program to be a richer experience. 

“I wanted it to be more leadership focused rather than just touring businesses — that’s what other chambers do,” she said. "I wanted people to be able to revisit some of the leadership skills that they may have taken for granted and apply them to their business.” 

Chelsea Warrington, operations manager for Waste Management, participated in the program. 

“I had just taken this new role and was still learning about the industry. During my first Hayden Chamber meeting, they introduced the new Leadership Program,” Warrington said. “One of my biggest goals in this new role was to build strong relationships, strengthen our community connection and continue growing as a leader. It felt like the perfect opportunity to do all three.” 

Warrington was named the class president. 

“I don’t idle well, and I think growth is very important," she said. 

Warrington said she learned a lot about herself during the program. 

“It helped me reaffirm a lot about myself as a leader,” Warrington said. “I know my greatest strengths are caring for people, understanding data and creating systems that help businesses run more effectively. 

She said she also became more aware of her weaknesses, especially when it comes to confrontation.  

“Tough conversations are hard, and they’ve never been my favorite part of leadership,” Warrington said. “What this class gave me was confidence and tools to approach those conversations differently. I learned that difficult conversations, when they come from a place of care and growth, are necessary."

Wolsten said Warrington did a remarkable job as class president. 

“She told me early on that she was nervous speaking in a public setting. And to see her transformation from day one to graduation was just awesome,” Wolsten said. “Stepping up to her presidential role and speaking to a room full of people was fun to watch.” 

Wolsten added that he felt the first year of the leadership program was a success. 

“People had lots of really great comments as far as what they took away from it,” Wolsten said. “Everyone really stepped up over the course of the time, got to network together and get to know each other more.” 

The next H.A.Y.D.E.N. Leadership Class will be in October. The program is limited to 30 participants.  

Visit www.haydenchamber.org or call 208-762-1185 for more information.