From the President & CEO
Homecoming Reflections:
The Power of Connection Over Networking
As we reflect on the incredible Homecoming event this past week, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the energy, passion, and commitment each of you brought to the event. Seeing so many alumni, partners, and supporters come together to share ideas, celebrate achievements, and envision the future left me inspired and hopeful for the impact we will continue to make as a community. 
But as we bask in the afterglow of this event, I want to share a thought that came up repeatedly in conversations throughout the week: the difference between networking and connection.
Networking often carries a transactional connotation—a brief exchange of business cards, a polite conversation, or a LinkedIn request. While valuable in certain contexts, networking can sometimes feel shallow or fleeting, with interactions focused solely on what one person can offer the other.
Connection, however, is something more profound. It’s about building relationships rooted in trust, shared values, and mutual growth. It’s about caring for the person in front of you, not just what they can offer, but how you can support each other long-term. At LM, our work is grounded in creating spaces where connection—not just networking—creates impact. This is how we create thriving, inclusive workplaces and communities.
I am always impressed by the myriad ways people who interact with Leadership Montgomery are working to improve the world around them. There is no shortage of individuals leading incredible work, community initiatives, and civic engagement aimed at thriving.
So, how can you harness the connections you’ve made during Homecoming? Here are a few suggestions:
- Collaborate for Good: Take the initiative to reach out to those you connected with and explore opportunities to collaborate on a project that aligns with your values. No matter your sector, collaboration across industries allows for fresh perspectives and creative solutions to complex challenges.
- Mentorship: Consider offering or seeking mentorship. Our community is full of leaders at different stages in their careers. A connection made this week could blossom into a long-term mentorship relationship, one where both the mentor and mentee grow through shared experiences and learning.
- Build a Peer Support Network: Life is full of professional and personal challenges. Having a group of peers to turn to for advice, encouragement, or even a sounding board can make all the difference. Our new Online Community is the perfect place to conduct these conversations. Strengthen your connections by building a peer support group that can meet regularly to share ideas and provide guidance.
- Co-Create Community Impact Projects: As you heard at the event, LM program participants are creating impact with their Community Impact Projects in a wide variety of areas. Many of them can be continued to create even more impact. Consider learning more about those projects and partnering with your connections to continue the initiatives. Working together not only strengthens your connection but magnifies the impact you can make. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel, right?
I encourage you to deepen these connections and leverage LM to help. Did you know that LM is here to help you with all four suggestions? Thank you again for your presence, energy, and passion at Homecoming. Together, we will continue to grow, connect, and make a difference. Let’s keep building toward a future where thriving, inclusive workplaces and communities are the norm, not the exception.
Yours in Connection,
Dana Pauley, President & CEO
Leadership Montgomery