The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the 2025–2026 Leadership Effingham class during its Commencement Luncheon and Celebration on June 24 at Honey Ridge Agricenter’s Hereford House. The 16-member cohort concluded a year of learning, relationship-building, and community exploration by reflecting on the experience and presenting Friendsgiving: Leaders Set the Table, its class-designed community initiative.

Leadership Effingham gives participants a deeper understanding of the people, organizations, systems, and opportunities shaping Effingham County. Throughout the program year, class members engage with local leaders and explore issues affecting the county’s quality of life and economic vitality, then work together to translate what they learn into meaningful community action.

As the class discussed how it could make a lasting impact, members returned to an observation that surfaced throughout the year: Effingham County is home to exceptional nonprofit organizations and generous businesses eager to serve, yet many are working independently and have too few opportunities to connect, collaborate, or share resources. The class saw an opportunity to strengthen the community by creating the missing shared table.

The result is Friendsgiving: Leaders Set the Table, an annual, potluck-style community luncheon planned for the weeks leading up to Giving Tuesday. The shared meal is intentional: participating nonprofits, businesses, and community partners will each have an opportunity to contribute to the table, reflecting the broader purpose of bringing their ideas, resources, relationships, and capacity together in service to Effingham County.

More than a luncheon, Friendsgiving will provide a structured forum for nonprofit leaders to exchange best practices, share successes and challenges, identify resources, and form partnerships that strengthen their collective impact. At the same time, business, civic, and emerging leaders will gain greater insight into the organizations serving Effingham County and discover meaningful ways to contribute their time, expertise, financial support, and other resources. Details about the inaugural event—and opportunities for organizations and individuals to participate, contribute, or provide support—will be announced as plans are finalized.

By encouraging organizations to collaborate rather than operate in isolation, the program is intended to expand their collective reach, strengthen charitable engagement, keep community support local, and ultimately increase the benefit delivered to the individuals and families they serve. The class envisions Friendsgiving becoming an annual Effingham County tradition rooted in gratitude, generosity, and shared responsibility.

“This class did exactly what we hope Leadership Effingham participants will do: listen closely, build genuine relationships, recognize an opportunity, and turn what they learned into action,” said Susan M. Kraut, IOM, GCCE, president and CEO of the Effingham County Chamber. “They brought different professional and community perspectives to the table, yet worked as one class to create something that can strengthen Effingham County well beyond commencement. We are enormously proud of their thoughtfulness, collaboration, and commitment to serving this community.”

The class project has since earned statewide recognition. The Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives awarded the Effingham County Chamber an Innovative Program Grant to advance Friendsgiving: Leaders Set the Table. The award, made possible through the support of Georgia Power, was announced during the 2026 GACCE Executive Leadership Conference at the Jekyll Island Club Resort.

2025 2026 Leadership Effingham Cohort

CLASS MEMBER - SPONSORING ORGANIZATION
Scott Russell - Efingham Health System Foundation
Alyssa Schoonover - Greenland Developers
Shannon Patrick - Jake Patrick & Son Plumbing/Coast & Country
Stephanie Derfus - Savannah Technical College
Danielle Carver - Effingham County Board of Commissioners
Douglas Faircloth - Coleman Company, Inc.
Lindsey Gerow - Effingham Artists, LLC
Joel Jurado - DarkHorse Express Solutions, Inc.
Kendall Berlin - Effingham County Chamber of Commerce
Joy Francis - Hospice Savannah, Inc.
Emanuel Walker Flecha - Georgia Power
Stephanie Rosser - Queensborough National Bank & Trust
Tori Johnson - Renasant Bank
Tony Castellano - Armor Fire Protection
Brandon Philbeck - Marchese Construction

The grant provides momentum to carry the graduating class’s vision forward and underscores the larger purpose of Leadership Effingham: developing informed, connected leaders who are prepared to make a constructive difference. 

The next Leadership Effingham cohort is now forming. Applications will be accepted through August 18 for a competitively selected class of up to 25 participants. The selection process is designed to assemble a diverse cohort representing businesses, nonprofits, government, education, and other areas of community life. Interested candidates may review program expectations and apply at https://form.jotform.com/skraut/leadership-effingham-2027-cohort-ap.