Sometimes, leadership is being the only person in the room willing to raise their hand. 

Post Falls Chamber of Commerce Chamber President and CEO Christina Petit said one of her favorite parts of the River City Leadership Academy is seeing quieter members of the class of community leaders take charge. 

“Most of the people are just looking to get to know the community better at the get-go. Then by the end of the program, we hear how they were inspired by all of the leadership and the connections they make with the class,” Petit said. “There were people who really came out of the shadows and got inspired by something and then just started to lead.” 

By arming leaders in the program with community connections and extensive mentors in a variety of industries, she noted that those relationships solidify their ability to affect change. 

That starting point, however, isn’t the same for every member of RCLA. 

“They're already in the workforce and this last class that graduated ranged from brand new leaders who are under the age of 25, all the way up to a CFO and a CEO in the program at very different phases of leadership,” Petit said. 

One of the newest graduates, Megan Hexum, just changed careers after reflection during the leadership training. 

After the death of a close family friend, she had to start RCLA training the next day. 

“When I started, it was so hard for me to get out of bed,” Hexum said. 

The friendships and connections she made jettisoned her through her depression and even helped connect her to a new career in event coordination at the Kootenai Health Foundation. 

“I always wanted to work for nonprofits and this was right up my alley of what I like to do,” Hexum said. 

She wanted to learn more about the whys behind community successes and work with other leaders who are passionate about making a difference. Overall, she was challenged to grow both personally and professionally. 

“Through the program, I strengthened my leadership skills in communication, collaboration and relationship building, while gaining valuable insight from community leaders across a wide variety of industries,” Hexum said. 

Petit said the leadership program only graduate 25 to 27 leaders a year. Graduates of RCLA now total more than 400 people, with some even starting their own businesses as a result of epiphanies they had during the training.  

“It becomes very personalized to those leaders, where they’re at and their past, and we provide all of these different angles to where they want to plug in,” Petit said. “Our goal is to really just to develop people who are committed to the community, because a solid community with committed people is a successful community, so it’s our little piece. I think it makes a big impact.” 

Public speaking is always among the requests for leadership training they receive year over year, but new requests have also required them to update the speakers and resources they connect RCLA leaders with. 

Recently, topics like AI in business, navigating difficult conversations and financial management have been important to members. 

For Carter Cassidy, his reason why stemmed from his connection to his home and how he can help. 

“I live in Post Falls and I’m super passionate about where I live,” Cassidy said. “You get to see behind the curtain for a lot of experiences that makes our community tick, that was one of the biggest things that drew me in.”  

He currently works at ICCU, but will soon begin work at Kootenai Health 

“I’ve always been in a role that cross-industry connects,” Cassidy said.  

He said he was excited to get more of a holistic view of how local leaders work, not only of Poat Falls, but for the surrounding area. 

“I think I grew a lot. I’m a person who always likes to see the big picture,” Cassidy said. “As far as leadership, I’m always looking to hone those skills and we have so many amazing leaders in our community that we got to hear from.” 

    Megan Hexum takes a seat behind the wheels of a Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Truck during a River City Leadership Academy event.
  

    Carter Cassidy sits in the driver's seat of a Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Truck during a River City Leadership Academy event.