Multicultural Leadership Institute + Program

Multicultural Leadership Institute + Program The Multicultural Leadership Program (MCLP) is a premier leadership development program.

MCLP alumni are making an extraordinary impact across industries and communities—leading with purpose, integrity, and a commitment to positive change.

The first few days of MCLP Class of 2027 are in the books.And what a few days it was. ❤️We looked inward through MBTI, S...
09/16/2026

The first few days of MCLP Class of 2027 are in the books.

And what a few days it was. ❤️

We looked inward through MBTI, Strengths, Emotional Intelligence and Leadership 360.

Then we turned outward.

Mentors. Community partners. Teams. Purpose. Influence. Tough conversations. Lots of laughs. And a little happy hour, too.

A special thank you to Heartland Community College for hosting us. It was wonderful to spend the weekend in the Gregg Chadwick Board Room. Gregg was a mentor and a member of the MCLP Advisory Council, so being in that room carried a little extra meaning for us.

At the heart of it all is something we talk about a lot at MCLP: recognizing the leader in each of us and becoming the best version of ourselves for the people, organizations and communities we serve.

But here's the thing about MCLP:

It takes a village.

Facilitators. Coaches. Mentors. Alumni. Community partners. Volunteers. Board members. And so many people behind the scenes.

Each one leaves a thumbprint on the experience.

To everyone who gave their time, energy, experience and heart to make these first few days possible, thank you.

And to our Class of 2027:

Welcome to the MCLP community.

We are off to the races. 🏁

This past Friday, our Class of 2027 began their Leadership 360 coaching conversations with 11 remarkable coaches who are...
09/13/2026

This past Friday, our Class of 2027 began their Leadership 360 coaching conversations with 11 remarkable coaches who are investing their time, experience, and perspective in our participants.

Different backgrounds. Different industries. Different leadership journeys.

One thing in common: a willingness to invest in someone else’s growth.

That’s servant leadership in action.

To our coaches, thank you for showing up with candor, curiosity, and care.

To our participants, be open. Ask the hard questions. Listen to the feedback. And then do something with it.

Because at MCLP, leadership development isn’t about collecting another credential. It’s about becoming a better leader for the people, organizations, and communities we serve.

We’re grateful to have these 11 leaders alongside our Class of 2027.

Unsung Hero Spotlight: Sharon DoddToday, the MCLP Board is excited to continue our tradition of recognizing an Unsung He...
09/10/2026

Unsung Hero Spotlight: Sharon Dodd

Today, the MCLP Board is excited to continue our tradition of recognizing an Unsung Hero: someone whose dedication, leadership, and service help advance our mission, often behind the scenes and without seeking recognition.

This month, we are proud to recognize Sharon Dodd for her extraordinary commitment, leadership, and service to MCLP during one of the most significant transitions in our program’s history.

As the last Executive Director of MCLP, Sharon helped guide the program through a period of tremendous change, including the transition to a hybrid learning environment. She navigated challenges with resilience, care, and a deep commitment to ensuring that MCLP continued to serve participants and develop future leaders.

Even after transitioning from her role as Executive Director, Sharon continued to support MCLP in countless ways. She generously shared her knowledge, answered questions with patience and kindness, and helped ensure a smooth transfer of institutional knowledge to the new group of volunteers stepping forward to lead the program. This transition would not have been possible without the incredible support of Sharon and Kali Thomas.

Because of the strong foundation created by Sharon and many dedicated MCLP volunteers, the Class of 2027 recruitment was completed, the curriculum was thoughtfully updated, and the path was paved for the future-state design of MCLP.

Beyond her contributions to the program, Sharon’s greatest impact may be reflected in the way she leads and serves. Her optimism, positive spirit, healthy perspective on life, and genuine commitment to servant leadership have inspired many individuals throughout her journey with MCLP.

Thank you, Sharon, for your time, talent, wisdom, and unwavering belief in the mission of MCLP. Your impact extends far beyond what can be measured, and we are deeply grateful for all you have done to help develop the next generation of servant leaders.

With gratitude, we celebrate you as this month’s Unsung Hero.

MCLP is proud to introduce Class of 2027 Participant Heather Brackney. Heather is the Assistant Finance Director at YWCA...
09/09/2026

MCLP is proud to introduce Class of 2027 Participant Heather Brackney.

Heather is the Assistant Finance Director at YWCA McLean County, where she combines financial leadership with a passion for supporting people, improving processes, and developing teams. Throughout her career, she has embraced opportunities to mentor others, create training resources, and strengthen organizational operations in service to the community.

Heather recently earned her Associate in Arts in Human Development & Family Studies and is committed to lifelong learning and leadership growth. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, spending time with her family and dogs, and finding meaningful ways to connect with her community.

Quote: Lead with kindness. Learn with humility. Leave every person and every place a little better than you found it.

MCLP is proud to introduce Class of 2027 Participant Aemun Lupeyok. Aemun Lopeyok is a junior at Illinois State Univers...
09/09/2026

MCLP is proud to introduce Class of 2027 Participant Aemun Lupeyok.

Aemun Lopeyok is a junior at Illinois State University, majoring in political Science with a minor in Psychology. An international student from Kenya and Heartland Community College alum, he served as President of the Student Government Association and later represented students on the Heartland Board of Trustees as Student Trustee.

Outside of academics, Aemun enjoys riding his bike and Djing.

Quote: Take a step back and let life surprise you.

MCLP is proud to introduce Class of 2027 Participant Rebecca Long. Rebecca serves as the Electrical Engineering Departme...
09/08/2026

MCLP is proud to introduce Class of 2027 Participant Rebecca Long.

Rebecca serves as the Electrical Engineering Department Office Manager and Building Coordinator at the College of Engineering at Illinois State University. She is devoted to serving and supporting others with compassion and empathy.

Rebecca loves learning across a wide range of topics, particularly history and cultural studies. Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys discovering "firsts" with her daughter and husband, Zack.

Quote: "Well, the Ugha word for 'gold' translates as 'treasure.' But their treasure wasn't gold; it was knowledge. Knowledge was their treasure." - Harrison Ford in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"

MCLP is proud to introduce Class of 2027 Participant Bart Hickey. Bart Hickey has been with COUNTRY Financial for 19 yea...
09/08/2026

MCLP is proud to introduce Class of 2027 Participant Bart Hickey.

Bart Hickey has been with COUNTRY Financial for 19 years, starting as an intern and growing through multiple roles, including leadership positions, before becoming a Sr. Product Owner. Passionate about community service, he has served on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters, ABC Counseling & Family Services, and currently the Ecology Action Center.

Bart enjoys connecting with others, sharing life experiences, and learning from different perspectives. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his husband and their cats and tending to his large native pollinator garden.

Quote: Leadership begins when we stop wishing for the situation we want and start leading the situation we have.

MCLP is proud to introduce Class of 2027 Participant Danielle Faith. Danielle Faith is a Product Manager at COUNTRY Fina...
09/07/2026

MCLP is proud to introduce Class of 2027 Participant Danielle Faith.

Danielle Faith is a Product Manager at COUNTRY Financial, responsible for the Claims product vision and strategy. She believes leadership comes in many forms and that meaningful impact often stems from how we support, influence, and show up for others every day.

Beyond work, Danielle is active in the school community, serving in leadership roles that support students, teachers, and families. Danielle is passionate about continuous learning, challenging the status quo, and building strong relationships. She enjoys traveling with her family and cheering on Illinois State - Go Birds!

Quote: “I see potential where others see obstacles. By turning complexity into clarity and challenges into opportunities, we create an environment where people and ideas flourish, and where we learn and grow together.”

MCLP is proud to introduce Class of 2027 Participant Ryan Church. Ryan is an Information Security leader who believes le...
09/07/2026

MCLP is proud to introduce Class of 2027 Participant Ryan Church.

Ryan is an Information Security leader who believes leadership is about empowering others, building strong relationships, and creating opportunities for people to succeed. His leadership journey began before holding a formal leadership title, with experiences as a technical team lead and acting Project Manager.

A key part of Ryan's leadership approach is investing in others' growth. He looks for opportunities to give team members new experiences, greater responsibility, and a chance to develop and demonstrate their strengths. He encourages people to take ownership and helps create opportunities for them to grow professionally as leaders.

Quote: Leadership is not defined by a title, but by how we serve others, seek diverse perspectives, and create opportunities for people to grow and succeed.

MCLP is proud to introduce Class of 2027 Participant Olivia Brownlee. Olivia Brownlee is a nonprofit leader, care worker...
09/06/2026

MCLP is proud to introduce Class of 2027 Participant Olivia Brownlee.

Olivia Brownlee is a nonprofit leader, care worker, and community advocate serving as Senior Manager of Shelter Operations at Home Sweet Home Ministries, where she supports daily shelter operations and the development of programs that promote stability, recovery, and connection for individuals experiencing homelessness. Having volunteered in the Bloomington-Normal community from a young age, Olivia continues that commitment through her involvement with the McLean County ROSC Council, McLean County Housing Coalition, Bloomington-Normal Young Professionals, and Liberatory Care Collective: Chicago.

Olivia is passionate about building accessible, relationship-centered systems and cultures of care and ensuring people most impacted by systems have a voice in shaping them. Outside of work, Olivia enjoys reading, creating art, gardening, and spending time with the people she loves.

Quote: I strive to support the people, places, and communities around me in becoming more caring, accessible, and human.

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P. O. Box 854
Bloomington, IL
61701

Telephone

+13095563589

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