Stamford, CT— Leadership Fairfield County (LFC), the professional development program run by the Business Council of Fairfield County (BCFC) since 1992, is set to relaunch under the Stamford Partnership. The relaunch comes at an ideal time as now, more than ever, the Stamford community is in great need of strong economic and community development leaders at the forefront of the response and recovery from COVID-19.

LFC served more than 450 executives from over 165 companies, non-profit organizations and government agencies, before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the program to cease operations in March 2020.

“This was one of the most popular programs offered by the Business Council and it left a large gap in the community for the development of future leaders when it was shut down,” said Jon Winkel, executive director of the Stamford Partnership. “We knew we had to provide an alternative program and we were fortunate to be able to strike a deal with the Business Council to absorb the IP and relaunch Leadership Fairfield County.”

Leadership Fairfield County is open to mid- and senior-level professionals who are nominated by their organization to take part in a series of focused learning seminars and activities aimed at building participants’ awareness of issues facing Fairfield County and Connecticut; expanding their professional, leadership and problem-solving skills; and giving them a seat at the table to affect positive change in their community.

Cynthia Lyon, who took the reins of the program six years ago, will now serve as LFC Vice President under the Stamford Partnership as program director.

“Oftentimes, when you look around a room of leaders who are making an informed and considered impact in the future of our region, you’ll find graduates of Leadership Fairfield County. The Board of Stamford Partnership is a prime example of this,” Lyon observed.  “It is very rewarding to see such tangible long-term results.”

April Condon, LFC alumna, Stamford Partnership Vice Chairwoman, and Real Estate Partner at Day Pitney LLP will lead the committee overseeing the effort. When asked about her interest in the role, she remarked, “I could not be more enthusiastic about the Leadership Fairfield County program continuing under the Stamford Partnership. As a LFC alumna, I’ve personally benefited from the significant impact this program has on its participants. The training I received from Leadership Fairfield County prepared me to immediately and effectively serve various vital, non-profit community organizations serving Fairfield County, including the Stamford Partnership. The Partnership is very fortunate to be continuing the legacy of excellence and positive impact that the Business Council built with this program.”

The program is designed to build experience and networks among Fairfield County’s current and developing community leaders looking to explore, understand and address the regional issues that affect Fairfield County, which is uniquely situated as part of the New York Metro Area. These include transportation, climate, financial, legal, government, education, health and wellness, social equity, social justice, innovation and entrepreneurship.

“There is no other program in the region offering the opportunity to make connections with leaders in all of these sectors, and no other place to get a frame for what makes our area so unique,” noted Lyon.

“Leadership Fairfield County is an excellent program to build strong civic leaders who understand our market. The Stamford Partnership relaunch is particularly timely given the economy and the need to respond to, and recover from, COVID19,” said Allan Colaco of KPMG Stamford Office Managing Partner, which was a former BCFC Board Member Company.

Stamford Partnership has immediately relaunched the program for members of the most recent class, who were unable to complete the program on account of the COVID-19 shutdown.

Applications are currently open for new participants who wish to join the first class of the newly relaunched program, set to begin in February.  A total of 30 applicants will be selected for the 2021 cohort, which will begin virtually with the intention of resuming the on-site experiential learning component (a trademark of the program) by June.

“For the purpose of community development, it’s important to have a pipeline of effective leaders at all times and with the relaunch of Leadership Fairfield County, we look forward to empowering future leaders with the information they need to make a significant impact in their community,” added Winkel.

For more information, and to fill out an application, visit  https://stamfordpartnership.org/leadership-fairfield-county/.

The Stamford Partnership is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on improving the quality of life for Stamford’s residents, workforce, businesses and stakeholders. Through public-private partnerships, talent development and programs aimed at encouraging innovation, growth and creativity in the region, The Stamford Partnership brings companies, governments, nonprofits and people together to reimagine the future.