L3

Leadership Lowcountry Lab

 

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM
“Education is the Mother of Leadership”
– Wendell Willkie (businessman, lawyer, 1940 nominee for President)

2025 Tuition/Fees:
Tuition Price $1999.41 (additional application fee $75.00)
Application Fee: $75.00
Total: $2074.41 (Raleigh, NC Inner City Visit not included)
NOTE: Payment plans are available to those that qualify. Class meals and additional amenities included in tuition. All tuition and fees are non-refundable.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM

“Education is the Mother of Leadership”
 – Wendell Willkie (businessman, lawyer, 1940 nominee for President)

About L3: Leadership Lowcountry Lab
Founded in 2021, Leadership Lowcountry Lab(L3) is a regional leadership accelerator powered by the Southeastern Chamber of Commerce. It is designed for ambitious, forward-thinking professionals who are eager to move from middle management to executive impact. Participants develop civic IQ, economic fluency, and innovation skills that position them as future CEOs, mayors, and movement builders. It consists of eight-to-nine months of power-packed education, development and productivity designed to accelerate career goals, leverage leadership opportunities and make lasting connections.

While the world is ever-changing, especially with the wave of AI and modern government administrations, the idea of selecting leaders to engage in a rigorous, interactive curriculum in the Southeastern Region remains the pinnacle of our activities at the Chamber. Several dozen men and women selected from various communities will complete the program and take their place as leaders in the region. Nothing could be more important to us as an organization!

The impact of Leadership Lowcountry Lab is expected to be multi-dimensional.  Many of the Southeast’s most influential CEO’s, educators, judges, elected officials, entrepreneurs, community organizers, non-profit leaders and professionals graduate annually from the program.

Leadership Southeast applications and tuition agreements for the Class of 2026 are due by
Tuesday, June 16, 2025.

What Individuals Gain
Individuals will gain clear awareness and understanding of the region and a chance to network with regional decision-makers that impact how they live, learn and earn. The program will help identify areas for self-growth and provide opportunities for this new perspective to contribute to their own communities. 

You will have the ability to foster long-lasting connections to civic-minded local, state and national leaders who enhance and challenge your thought processes and economic aptitude.

You will have the opportunity to activate skills and talents within yourself that you never knew were there, all while learning about why and how enhancing local economies and communities can impact your own success as a resident, professional and overall team player.

What Organizations Gain
Leaders from organizations will meet and engage with fellow regional leaders, establish connections and expand their circle of influence.  Participants will deal first-hand with vital local and regional issues that can impact their organizations in numerous ways. Lasting relationships will be forged that will, in turn, open new doors for your organization, reveal new avenues for profit and ways to serve the community.

Through these networks and collaborations, citizens and supporters gain a deep respect for the companies involved and have the opportunity to develop a better understanding of the impact that they make in the local economy.

Time Commitment and Selection Process
The program is a eight-to-nine month commitment and includes an opening orientation followed by a get-acquainted reception. Classes take place 1-2 days per month. In addition to class days, class members will be part of a team that works toward a specific need within their assigned community. Candidates are selected through an application process and vetted by the Southeastern Chamber Board of Governors and the Leadership Lowcountry Lab Council. Candidates are selected based on their leadership and social abilities, involvement in the community, previous experiences, and abilities to set and achieve goals.

Class Sessions
The core of the Leadership Lowcountry Lab program is our signature 8-9-month, executive-level sessions. We choose a maximum of 40 candidates to represent a broad cross-section of the tri-county area.

Through retreats, full-day seminars, service projects, discussion groups, and community tours, candidates explore critical regional issues, examine their own leadership qualities and build valuable relationships of trust and mutual understanding.

Dedicated leaders, top executives and volunteers under the direction of the Chambers staff will donate their time, experience and expertise to create the best possible experience for all participants.

Class times are typically from 9:00am-5:00pm and classes will take place in interesting and compelling places (early outs are expected).

Program Calendar
The Leadership Southeast program is an opportunity for class members to deepen their knowledge of critical community issues, challenge themselves and their own assumptions, refine their leadership skills, and learn from one another. Like other regions, the Southeast is facing critical economic, environmental, and social issues that require regional, state and national leaders of all levels to work together. By the end of the 8-9-month program, class members will have a clear prospective of the significant issues facing our region and how they can affect those concerns through their leadership and service. Program calendar dates are below:

 

MODULE (1)

Orientation Day

Wednesday, June 18, 2025 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

MODULE (2)

Power & Policy - Governing the Region Day  

Thursday, July 17, 2025 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

MODULE (3)

Economic Development Deep Dive Day

MODULE (4)

Tuesday, August 12, 2025 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Economic Development Deep Dive Day (Continued)

MODULE (5)

Thursday, August 21, 2025 | 9:00 am – 9:45 pm (Split Day)

Communication, Media & Executive Presence Day +  Emerging Awards Gala- Chamber’s Official 20^th Anniversary Celebration

MODULE (6)

Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Two PART DAY)

PART 1: Revitalization, Real Estate & Regional Equity Session

PART 2: Leading Inside the Machine- Corporate Culture & Influence Session

MODULE (7)

Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Branding, Capital & Scale Day 

CHAMBER EVENT:

**Make-Up Credits for Chamber Involvement Day may be earned by attending this session:

Sunday, October 12, 2025 | 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Taste of North Charleston: “North Charleston’s Culinary Food & Wine Festival is back!”

MODULE (8)

Thursday, November 6, 2025 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Cross Sector Collaboration & Regional Infrastructure Day

MODULE (9)

Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

PART 1: Executive Communication & Public Speaking Day  

PART 2: Wellness Burnout & Boundaries Session

MODULE (10)

Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

PART 1: AI, Tech & the Future of Work Day     

PART 2: The Action Lab: Capstone Strategy, Presentation Prep & Graduation Rehearsal

MODULE (11)

Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Graduation & Legacy Leadership Showcase | Charleston After 5

 

For more information regarding this Cohort- please contact Cam Oswald

843.263.3000 or cosw@southeasternchamber.org

 

DOWNLOAD FILLABLE APPLICATION HERE

 

Popular Asked Questions

Who should apply for L3?
Everyone has an opportunity to lead in some form – in our personal lives, on the job and in our community. We encourage you to apply if you live in the tri-county area of Charleston, Dorchester or Berkeley counties and want to deepen your leadership skills, practice collaborative problem solving, and put new skills to work immediately to build a stronger community.

In order to offer the broadest possible perspective and richest participant experience, Leadership Lowcountry plans to enroll a cohort that reflects our entire community in terms of geography, industry, race, gender, age and more.

What will I gain by participating in L3?
As a program participant, you’ll learn best practices in conflict resolution, multi-party negotiations, cultural competence, meeting facilitation, and many more skills. You’ll create a leadership development dashboard to track your personal progress.

You will also have a chance to build relationships with other motivated leaders and emerging leaders. Program graduates become part of a “network of doers” in our region, with ongoing collaboration encouraged.

What will the sessions be like?
Leaders Lowcountry meets for one full day each month of the 8-9-session program. Each session includes elements of leadership development, community knowledge-building, and community problem-solving. We will hear from local experts and engage directly with local issues. Be prepared to think, discuss, and learn a lot! Lunch will be provided during each session.

How much does it cost?
Program tuition is $2,078.00 (Raleigh Inner City Visit Not Included)

What if I can’t afford the tuition?
First, check with your employer. Many employers are willing to cover all or part of the tuition through employee continuing education/training programs, or discretionary spending. Click here for the information summary link you can share.

If your tuition is not fully funded by your employer and you are unable to shoulder the full tuition on your own, PLEASE APPLY ANYWAY!

Leadership Lowcountry Lab is committed to providing a sliding scale for all selected applicants who cannot pay the full tuition. Applicants will be selected without regard to ability to pay. We will work with individuals to determine the appropriate tuition scholarships based on need.

When does the program start, and how long does it last?
Sessions take place 9:00am to 5:00pm on an established day of each month.

What if I can't attend every month?
If you don't expect to be available for all of the sessions, we encourage you to consider applying next year instead. Participants who miss more than two sessions for non-emergency reasons will not receive a certificate of completion for the program. These individuals may complete the program by attending their missed sessions with the next cohort the following year.

Where will the program take place?
Leadership Lowcountry Lab sessions will be held at a variety of locations in the Tri-county region, but mainly at rented event space on the campus of EPCI University in North Charleston, SC OR Southeastern Chamber Headquarters in Charleston/West Ashley area.

Will transportation be provided?
Participants will need their own transportation to and from the sessions. If you do not have transportation, please let us know so that we can explore solutions.

Will there be a virtual option for this program?
All Leadership Lowcountry Lab sessions will take place in person only.

Are there any additional costs or fees?
The program tuition is all-inclusive. There will be additional costs to travel to Raleigh, NC to include travel and hotel (hotel rooms will be discounted). Raleigh is a 4.hr drive from Charleston, SC and flight times range from 1.5- 2.5hrs. The program covers most meals in Raleigh and as mentioned, excellent hotel discounts for cohort members.       `

Can Leadership Lowcountry provide documentation of my participation to my supervisor?
Absolutely! Please let us know what kind of documentation is required, and we will be happy to provide it.

Can I earn professional development credits?
This depends on the accreditation program for which you wish to earn credits. Check with your program director about the requirements for earning credit, and we will gladly provide appropriate documentation.

I’m a Leadership Charleston or Berkeley or Dorchester graduate. Can I participate in Leadership Lowcountry Lab?
Yes, Leadership graduates are encouraged to apply! Leadership Lowcountry Lab builds on the popular community engagement curriculum of various leadership programs across the Southeast. The new elements of focused leadership skills development will benefit anyone who previously participated in leadership development courses. Information is always changing, scaling and refreshful.

How will applicants be selected for the cohort?
A selection team will carefully review applications. We will craft the cohort based on individual excellence and enthusiasm as well as overall diversity in terms of geography, industry, race, gender, age and more.

When will I find out if I’m selected?
Dates for the 2025 application cycle will be announced in June 2025.

How do I apply?
Online applications for 2025 are open. Now is a great time to talk with your employer about this professional development opportunity.