Over the last 42 years, the Chamber and our Foundation have sponsored Leadership Overland Park. Not to train leaders, but to better prepare them, connect them and challenge them.

In June, our 2025 class completed its six-month program. One of the perks of my job is spending time with the class each year. I particularly enjoy their opening and closing sessions, where we do a community SWOT analysis, examining the areas of health care, economic development, education, transportation, quality of life, and housing. This year’s class was thorough, demonstrating keen insights about the strengths that have long contributed to Overland Park’s growth and success.

There was also robust conversation about the threats and weaknesses which potentially hinder future success, such as aging office stock, politicization, lack of attainable housing, public transportation, and NIMBYs.

The World Cup and AI were new to the list of opportunities. Our school districts’ strengths in career readiness provide a significant opportunity for our talent pipeline, along with an emphasis on mental health services. This class believes there are opportunities to capitalize on our wealth of health care facilities by attracting patients from outside the region (health tourism), and promoting our affordability to attract more business and talent from other cities.

One of our final exercises is writing a vision statement for Overland Park. This is the first year some breakout groups have used AI to assist them, though most collaborated traditionally. Here’s a representative example of one of the groups:

“Overland Park builds on its strengths through community engagement, creating opportunities for future generations and fostering pride, optimism, and a culture of progress.”

During report outs, I heard words emphasizing growth, welcoming and engagement. This group of leaders will spread throughout the region, taking their energy and what they’ve learned about our challenges and opportunities to collaborate on solutions. Their class project is a prime example. Hillcrest Transitional Housing of Kansas has a fabulous new Thrift Center at College & Quivira, but identified a need for a food pantry. The class built them one, stocked it, and raised $17,000 for more food.

LOP alums are doers. You’ll find them everywhere – leading scout troops and civic and community boards, and in faith organizations. Forty-eight percent of the Chamber’s Board of Directors are graduates. Many go on to elected office, serving on school boards, in the Statehouse, and the Overland Park City Council, where we have three running for seats in this election.

If you or someone in your company is interested in being nominated for the 2026 class, contact Celia at cbyers@opchamber.org or click here.