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NEW ULM – The New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the return of the Leader Collaboratory, an interactive leadership development program designed to help professionals strengthen their leadership skills, build stronger workplace cultures, and create lasting impact within their organizations.
The 2026-2027 series begins Wednesday, September 16, and continues monthly through April.
Led by leadership and culture coach Ann Vote, the Leader Collaboratory was created in response to feedback from local employers who identified communication, employee engagement, workplace culture, conflict resolution, managing change, and leadership development among their greatest workplace challenges. Rather than traditional lecture-style training, each session provides practical strategies, guided discussion, and real-world tools that participants can immediately apply within their organizations.
Designed for managers, supervisors, business owners, team leads, emerging leaders, and anyone responsible for leading others, the program offers flexibility to meet participants where they are. Individuals may register for the complete eight-session series, which includes additional networking, discussion, and implementation support, or attend individual sessions focused on specific leadership topics.
Throughout the series, participants will explore topics including foundational leadership skills, employee motivation and engagement, communication and feedback, strategic planning, workplace culture, conflict resolution, managing change, and sustainable leadership. Each session is intentionally designed to provide actionable takeaways that leaders can begin implementing immediately, helping them build stronger teams, improve workplace communication, and create positive organizational cultures.
The Leader Collaboratory is held on the third Wednesday of each month from September 2026 through April 2027. Full-series participants attend from 8 a.m. to noon, while those registering for individual sessions attend from 9 to 11 a.m.
“I think this program is valuable for employees at every level,” said past attendee Renee Thordson of Alliance Bank. “Everyone needs a chance to reset sometimes, and it encourages you to rethink habits and perspectives that may have worked in the past but could be improved.”
To learn more or register for the full series or individual sessions, visit www.newulm.com or contact the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce at 507-233-4300 or chamber@newulm.com. The New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce has a membership of nearly 400 members, including New Ulm’s largest employers, retailers, professional services, and interested individuals. The Chamber’s mission is to encourage economic growth in our community by supporting members through business development, networking, education, advocacy, and access to resources.