Southwest Michigan professionals looking to sharpen their leadership skills and elevate their impact now have a new tool at their disposal. The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, in collaboration with Lake Michigan College and Legata Leadership Solutions, is launching the Management Accelerator, a hands-on leadership development program designed specifically for those managing people—whether they’re newly promoted, mid-career supervisors, or small business owners.
What’s in it for Participants and Employers?
For employers, the return on investment is clear: stronger leaders build stronger teams. For participants, the program offers more than just theory—it’s a practical, immersive experience designed to enhance real-world leadership capabilities, drive team performance, and deliver organizational results.
“This program is about helping good managers become great leaders,” says Arthur Havlicek, President & CEO of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber. “We’re targeting people who are already responsible for others and giving them the tools to lead with clarity, confidence, and consistency.”
Shifting Focus from Self to Team
The Management Accelerator builds on the foundation of the Chamber’s previous Leadership Accelerator program, which helped individuals explore their personal leadership style. This new offering shifts the spotlight toward leading others—addressing the day-to-day realities of managing teams in a fast-paced, results-driven environment.
With support from Lake Michigan College, the program will be held on the Benton Harbor campus at the Todd Center, emphasizing both accessibility and local collaboration.
“Strong leadership is key to a thriving regional workforce,” says LMC President Trevor Kubatzke. “This program fills an important gap in helping frontline managers and team leaders grow their influence and their skillset.”
A Curriculum That Delivers
The three-session cohort-based program will run on September 11, October 2, and November 6. Participation is capped at 25 to encourage interaction and deeper learning. Each session focuses on critical leadership areas, including:
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Building your leadership brand
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Understanding how others perceive you using Hogan personality insights
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Delegating for development
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Giving meaningful and effective feedback
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Handling conflict and performance conversations
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Managing time and priorities as a leader
Each participant will also receive a Hogan Insights Assessment and a private coaching session with a certified leadership coach to help turn insight into action. The program is led and facilitated by Kim Kavala, president of Legata Leadership Solutions, who brings decades of leadership experience from companies like Whirlpool and McDonald’s.
“Great managers don’t just keep trains running on time—they create teams that thrive,” says Kavala. “This program gives participants the strategies and confidence to lead well in today’s workplace.”
Who Should Apply?
The program is open to anyone managing people or teams—including:
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Newly promoted supervisors or team leads
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Managers looking to expand their leadership toolkit
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Small business owners juggling people leadership with daily operations
Chamber membership is not required to apply. Tuition is $1,500 per participant—often paid by an employer or sponsor—and includes the full curriculum, materials, assessment, and coaching. There’s no fee to apply, but the selection process is competitive.
Deadline to Apply: August 1
Applications for the inaugural cohort are due by August 1, with notifications going out shortly thereafter. With space limited to just 25 participants, early application is encouraged. Alumni of the Chamber’s previous Leadership Accelerator will receive early access to apply.
To learn more or submit an application, visit smrchamber.com/management-accelerator.
