TOPEKA — Leadership Kansas, one of the country’s oldest and most distinguished statewide leadership programs, on Wednesday announced its Kansas Emerging Leaders (KEL) Class of 2024. 

KEL is a statewide program designed to enhance and motivate young leaders from various Kansas communities. Each year, Kansans in their 20’s and 30’s are nominated to apply for the program. 

Developed in 2019 based on feedback from the nearly 1,600 Leadership Kansas alumni, LK created KEL to give outstanding young leaders a format to learn more about Kansas and about the opportunities within the state for professional growth. 

LK Executive Director Aaron Miller said the 20 individuals selected to participate in the 2024 program reflect Kansas’s demographics and geography as well as the state’s make up of private and public sectors. 

“We are excited to help them begin their journey of leadership and discovery. Upon completion of the program, these young professionals will be better equipped to shoulder important leadership responsibilities in their individual careers and for their respective communities because of their experience and training through Kansas Emerging Leaders,” Miller said. 

The class will learn about a myriad of topics important to Kansans through five monthly sessions, including:

• Learn about Kansas’ business, social, educational, and government issues of our past, how they impact us today, and how they will shape our future.

• Build a network of fellow Kansans who are committed to our state’s success.

• Meet mentors and connect with Kansas leaders.

• Create a pipeline of potential future Leadership Kansas program participants.

The class will visit Dodge City, Hays, KC Metro, Manhattan, Topeka, and Wichita.

To qualify for the program, nominees must work or live in Kansas, be an outstanding leader, who have been involved in campus or community programs and express an interest to stay in Kansas and become more involved.