Hollie Tometich stepped into uncharted territory in 2012 when she joined the Legacy Foundation as the Executive Director of the Ottumwa Leadership Academy. At the time, the Academy was just an idea. She had a blank slate to design a program that would develop effective leaders for the betterment of our community.
To say she has been successful is an understatement.
In years one through nine, 165 outstanding leaders have sharpened their leadership skills and gained a greater understanding of Ottumwa and Wapello County’s economy and community networks. As a result, the Academy has created a pool of knowledgeable community leaders with the ability to apply their skills to government, business, and civic activities. And those leaders are positively shaping the future of Ottumwa and Wapello County.
While building the Academy, Hollie has also continued to grow her skill set, enabling ongoing development for community leaders. During her tenure, she has added several certifications to her repertoire, including:
- Gallup Certified CliftonStrengths Coach
- Certified Speaker, Trainer, Coach with the John Maxwell Team
- Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University
As she looks towards year 10, Hollie is eager to continue to Educate, Equip, Encourage & Engage participants in civic and community service and leadership. “It’s an honor to be part of the leadership journey of 165 graduates and the 24 participants in this year’s class. When the Legacy Foundation set this endeavor into motion 10 years ago, their vision was to deepen the pool of leaders for our community. It’s gratifying to know that we are seeing that happen – graduates are filling nonprofit boards, running for local office, volunteering, furthering their careers, and starting new initiatives.,” Tometich said.
