Laramie is a community that thrives on collaboration, and nowhere is this more evident than in the creation of the Laramie Leadership Series, a local initiative designed to foster leadership development through monthly luncheons and presentations. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Jessica Stonum, Training and Development Director at Trihydro, and Doug Roehrkasse, General Manager of ATBS, two key members of the committee responsible for organizing the series. Together, they shared the story behind the Leadership Series and its growing impact on the Laramie business community.

A Vision for Leadership Development

The Leadership Series began as a response to a gap that several committee members noticed after completing Leadership Laramie, a two-year program offered by the Laramie Chamber Business Alliance. As Doug explained, “After Leadership Laramie, there wasn’t much to continue developing leadership skills within the community. So, in the summer of 2022, a few of us got together to brainstorm how we could fill that gap.” Along with Doug, Kayle Palmer (Financial Advisor at Northwestern Mutual) and Jenny Downs (Director of Employee Relations at Mountain West Farm Bureau) helped kick off what would become the Leadership Series, launching its first session in January 2023.

The committee expanded quickly to include a range of community leaders, such as Terry Moss (Chief Operations Officer at Ivinson Memorial Hospital), Myranda Sirdoreus (Controller at UniWyo Credit Union), and David Decker (Executive Assistant at WyoTech), each bringing unique perspectives from their respective industries.

Themes Rooted in Real-World Leadership

Over the past two years, the Leadership Series has tackled topics aimed at strengthening leadership “toolboxes” for attendees. “We initially brainstormed what we wanted to hear about leadership, but over time, we learned to start with the speaker’s expertise,” Doug mentioned. The committee now focuses on finding strong leaders with practical, relatable experiences, and shaping the topics around their strengths.

Jessica shared some of the key leadership themes explored in recent sessions, including wellness in the workplace, goal-setting, and overcoming imposter syndrome. The sessions draw a dedicated following of community members, many of whom return each month and refer others. Jessica noted that one attendee, Lisa Moehrke (Associate Broker at Hammontree Real Estate), has integrated lessons learned from the wellness session into her own team’s practices, particularly around financial and physical well-being.

Rotating Venues to Foster Connections

One aspect of the Leadership Series that makes it unique is its rotating venue format. Each month, a different committee member’s workplace or a local community venue hosts the session. “It’s great for branding, but more importantly, it fosters connections,” Jessica said. “We’ve hosted sessions at places like WyoTech, where people get to see behind-the-scenes tours of the facility. It really opens up the business community for participants who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to visit these spaces.” Other notable locations have included the fire station in West Laramie, the historic train depot, and upcoming sessions will be held at the Lincoln Community Center.

What’s Next for the Leadership Series?

Looking forward, the committee has big plans for the coming months, with topics like teamwork, imposter syndrome, and corporate goal setting already on the schedule. Speakers such as Dave Krause, Doug Faus, and Chris Haller from the University of Wyoming will share their leadership expertise.

The series is open to everyone in the community, from business professionals to those simply looking to improve their leadership skills. “We encourage people to attend, introduce themselves, and share their experiences,” Jessica emphasized. “The more voices we hear, the better the conversations become.”

For those interested in attending, sessions are held monthly, and information is available through the Laramie Chamber Business Alliance. You can also reach out to Melissa Blanco at the Chamber to get involved.

With such a diverse group of local leaders driving the program and a commitment to growing the next generation of leaders, the Laramie Leadership Series continues to evolve, offering valuable opportunities for connection, learning, and growth.

This initiative is spearheaded by a dedicated committee that includes:

• Doug Roehrkasse, General Manager, ATBS
• Jenny Downs, Director of Employee Relations, Mountain West Farm Bureau
• Myranda Sirdoreus, Controller, UniWyo Credit Union
• David Decker, Executive Assistant, WyoTech
• Terry Moss, Chief Operations Officer, Ivinson Memorial Hospital
• John Phillips, Hits 106
• Jessica Stonum, Training and Development Director, Trihydro Corporation
• Kayle Palmer, Financial Advisor, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company

Each member plays an essential role in ensuring the success of the series, offering their time, resources, and insights to strengthen leadership in Laramie.