Hayden chamber leadership program celebrates first graduating class of 23 participants

The first class of the H.A.Y.D.E.N. Chamber Leadership Program turned a chamber idea into a visible local network Thursday, as 23 participants collected plaques at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn.

The graduation marked more than a ceremonial finish for the Hayden Chamber of Commerce program. Chamber President and CEO Andrea Fulks was among the graduates, underscoring how closely the initiative is tied to the organization’s own leadership bench. The program was created through a collaboration between Fulks and local business consultant Michael Wolsten, who said the goal was to build something deeper than a standard chamber tour or networking series.

Instead of a short introduction to business contacts, the six-month program was built around a structured leadership curriculum. Its name is an acronym for Harnessing Your Strengths, Achieving Effective Communication, Yearning for Innovation, Driving Results Through People, Elevating Your Leadership and Navigating Difficult Conversations. Each session focused on a core leadership issue, with local business and community leaders serving as teachers or presenters, a format meant to connect professional development directly to Hayden and North Idaho’s day-to-day business environment.

That focus matters in a fast-growing part of Kootenai County, where chambers often serve as more than social hubs. They can become pipelines for people who later influence hiring, partnerships, neighborhood development and civic priorities. Fulks said she went through the class herself so she could better understand the experience and carry that perspective into the next cohort, a sign the chamber sees the program as a repeatable investment rather than a one-time event.

Among the graduates was Chelsea Warrington, operations manager for Waste Management, who was named class president. Warrington joined during a period of transition and said the program gave her a chance to strengthen relationships and build a deeper connection to the community while growing as a leader. That mix of private-sector experience, civic exposure and chamber networking suggests the class is already being used to build a recognizable leadership pipeline in Hayden, one that could shape the city’s business growth and the conversations that come with it.