The Smyrna Business Association distributed the following announcement:
The Smyrna Business Association (SBA), with assistance from the City of Smyrna’s Department of Economic Development, is launching the Smyrna Leadership Exchange (SLE), a highly selective, 12-month civic leadership program designed to connect engaged business and community leaders with the people, organizations and systems shaping Smyrna’s future.
Beginning January 2027, SLE will bring together a cohort of Smyrna-area business owners, professionals and leaders for immersive, half-day monthly sessions focused on the issues and opportunities that matter most to the community.
“Smyrna is fortunate to have an incredibly engaged business community and residents who care deeply about the future of this city,” said Mayor Derek Norton. “The Smyrna Leadership Exchange creates an opportunity to bring those leaders together, give them a deeper understanding of how our community works and empower them to become even more active participants in Smyrna’s future.”
Unlike regional leadership programs, SLE is intentionally hyperlocal. Participants will gain direct access to city leadership, business leaders and community organizations while experiencing firsthand the people and systems behind Smyrna’s continued growth and quality of life.
Throughout the 12-month program, participants will explore topics including:
- Economic and tourism development
- Education and future leaders
- Workforce development and talent management
- City government and the military community
- Parks, recreation and youth sports
- Health and wellness in business
- Arts, culture and innovation
- Public safety
- Nonprofit and community outreach
The experience is designed to go beyond education. Participants will build relationships across industries, gain practical insight into local decision-making and identify ways they can contribute to the community. The program will culminate in a collaborative capstone project focused on an opportunity or challenge facing Smyrna designed be a pathway for participants to translate their experience into tangible community impact.
“SLE is about more than learning how Smyrna works,” said Denise Czarnik, co-founder of SLE and board member of the Smyrna Business Association. “It’s about building relationships and developing leaders who are prepared to ask better questions, collaborate across sectors and take an active role in strengthening the community.”
Who Should Apply
SLE is designed for individuals who:
- Are Smyrna-area business owners, professionals or emerging leaders
- Demonstrate a commitment to community involvement
- Want to grow as leaders while contributing to others
- Value relationships, collaboration and civic engagement
- Are prepared to participate fully in a 12-month experience
Participants will be selected through an application process designed to create a diverse, high-caliber cohort representing a range of industries, experiences and perspectives.
Selection will consider leadership potential, community engagement, diversity of professional backgrounds, and the applicant’s ability to contribute meaningfully to the cohort.
The annual participation investment is $1,500 per person, which includes all program sessions and experiences, including meals, throughout the year.
Applications for the inaugural 2027 Smyrna Leadership Exchange are due Sept. 15, 2026. More information about the program, application process and sponsorship opportunities is available on the SBA website.