Young professionals.
Big ideas.

Emerging Leaders

Where tomorrow’s community leaders make an impact.

United Way QC Emerging Leaders is a passionate group of friends and colleagues – all connected by the causes we believe in. We’re young professionals, creatives and philanthropist leaders who are working to solve big community problems, together. 

If you’re under 40 years old, motivated to help and are looking to connect with like-minded peers, we’re the group for you.

Making new connections. Elevating voices. Cultivating leadership.

Why become a member of Emerging Leaders?

As tomorrow’s community leaders and as the most influential generation in America, our Emerging Leaders will set the standard for generations to come. An ambitious group of individuals with common goals of growth and giving back, we hope to motivate and support others to be leaders and succeed.

Emerging Leaders believe they can be the drivers of change in our community. Our group provides young professionals a voice in the future of the Quad Cities. 

What are the benefits of joining Emerging Leaders?

There is so much that comes with joining our community. Members enjoy networking, leadership and professional development and community involvement opportunities. Not only that, but you can also…

  • Get a backstage pass into the nonprofit sector through United Way Quad Cities networks.
  • Connect with a diverse group of peers and local business and community leaders through exclusive events held throughout the year.
  • Grow your leadership skills through exclusive professional development workshops and programs.
  • Advocate for what you believe in.
  • Invitation to serve on United Way committees to have a more direct influence on programs and initiatives.
  • Engage with like-minded Emerging Leaders in our member-only LinkedIn Group Chat.
How do you become a member?

Membership is open to Quad Citizens ages 22-40 across all industries. Our group represents a diverse range of companies, industries, backgrounds, family dynamics and ideologies and provides them a space to build relationships, volunteer, and engage with community, political, civic, and business leaders.

Become an Emerging Leaders Member by giving $30 a month. If you are not quite ready to join Emerging Leaders at those levels, the ELQC step-up program allows you to gradually increase your gift over a period of three years while enjoying full membership and recognition benefits. Step-up members make a commitment to give $20 a month in year one, $25 in year two and $30 in year three.

Make your monthly gift and join Emerging Leaders.

What is an Emerging Leaders Champion Investor?

Emerging Leaders Champion Investors are generous individuals or companies who contribute to this Emerging Leaders’ overall efforts year-round at a recommended level of $2,500 per year.

Champion Investors enjoy all the same benefits of Emerging Leaders Members along with perks like:

  • Be recognized as an impactful ELQC leader and investor of change.
  • Connect with like-minded QC leaders.
  • Grow personally and professionally through events and resources.
  • Invitation to participate in special events and committees.
  • Empower Emerging Leaders for lives of wise leadership.

Become an Emerging Leaders Champion Investor.

Portrait of a smiling young man, Ty Lewis.

The people behind the progress.

Guiding our community’s most enthusiastic and energetic young people to help change lives is what Emerging Leaders is all about.

—Ty Lewis, Director of Emerging Leaders & African American Leadership Society

Contact Sydney Elliott at selliott@unitedwayqc.org or call 563.344.0335 for more information on these events.

young-man-sitting-at-a-table

'Systems for Change' Series

Join us Thursday, June 20 from 5pm - 7pm at Iron Tee Golf. FREE for members and $40 for non-members.

Systems for Change series offers dynamic learning on a quarterly basis which include expert speakers and tangible lessons that can be applied to make a difference in our community immediately.

Emerging Leaders members can RSVP by responding here! 

Group-of-young-adults-posing-together-for-a-picture

Think Like a Futurist

Engage in a six-month program to learn Strategic Foresight skills that can shape your future — and the future of the community.

group-of-young-adults-standing-in-an-office-setting

After 5 Socials

Casual bi-monthly gatherings for relationship building.

Group-of-young-adults-posing-together-for-a-picture

Think Like a Futurist

Engage in a six-month program to learn Strategic Foresight skills that can shape your future — and the future of the community.

group-of-young-adults-standing-in-an-office-setting

After 5 Socials

Casual bi-monthly gatherings for relationship building.

Emerging Leaders Co-Chairs

Collin Nelson
Emerging Leaders Co-Chair

Heather Waffle-Terrance
Emerging Leaders Co-Chair

Emerging Leaders Advisory Committee
  • Autumn Buesking
  • Lukas DeWitt
  • Joanna Drake
  • Kristin Enright
  • Maxwell Gellerman
  • Collin Guinn
  • Erica A. Hill
  • Alec J. Jensen
  • Michi Lacefield
  • Emily Marriott
  • Samuel R. McCullum
  • Daisy Cordelia Moran
  • Ashley Perkins-Armetta
  • Alyssa N. Rice
  • Jordon R. Williams
Headshots-of-a-young-adult-man-and-woman
Emerging Leaders Advisory Committee

Ashley Perkins-Armetta
Estes Construction

Autumn Buesking
IMEG Corp.

Lukas DeWitt
Estes Construction

Joanna Drake
Quad Cities Chamber

Kristin Enright
MindFire Communications

Maxwell Gellerman
Hawkeye Commercial Real Estate Company

Collin Guinn
I.H. Mississippi Valley Credit Union Quad Cities

Erica Hill
John Deere

Alec Jensen
Russell

Michi Lacefield
Family Resources, Inc.

Emily Marriott
Quad City Bank & Trust / QCR Holdings

Samuel McCullum
STEAM on Wheels

Daisy Cordelia Moran
Quad Cities Community Foundation

Colin Nelson
Nelson Brothers Agency

Alyssa  Rice
Grace Technologies

Heather Waffle-Terrance
I.H. Mississippi Valley Credit Union Quad Cities

Jordon Williams
Cordogan Clark

Special thanks to the Annual Sponsor of Emerging Leaders.

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#EmergingLeadersQC

#UnitedWayQC

Get in touch!

To learn more about Emerging Leaders, contact Sydney Elliott at selliott@unitedwayqc.org or call 563.344.0335.

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