Two Spring-area school district employees will spend the next 10 months building cross-sector relationships with government officials, health care executives and nonprofit leaders through Lone Star College's flagship regional leadership program.
Yolanda Merritt of Spring ISD and Amanda Simmons of Klein ISD are among 36 professionals selected for Leadership North Houston Class XXXII, Lone Star College announced Aug. 9. The cohort represents 16 industries and will begin orientation Thursday, Sept. 3, at Sawyer Park Icehouse.
Both districts open the 2026-2027 school year on Aug. 12. The program starts three weeks later.
What the program does
Leadership North Houston brings together established and emerging leaders to explore regional issues including economic development, health care, education, public safety and quality of life. Participants attend monthly sessions over 10 months, with leadership development led by Jon Kidwell, founder and CEO of Houston-based firm Leadwell.
Founded in 1995 through a partnership between Lone Star College and area chambers of commerce, the program has graduated more than 850 leaders across its 31-year history. About 35 professionals are selected each year through a competitive application process.
"They leave with a stronger network, broader perspective and an even greater capacity to lead and serve their communities," Kay Fitzsimons, Lone Star College's executive director of Leadership and Economic Development, said in the announcement.
Other Spring-area connections in the class
Beyond the two school districts, the class includes Brandon Hodge of LSC-North Harris, the Lone Star campus that serves much of the Spring area. Representatives from Tomball ISD, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and five other LSC campuses round out the education contingent. Charles Farmer of Harris County Emergency Services District No. 11, the Spring-based ambulance provider, is also in the cohort.
Jordan Anderson, ESD 11's CEO, graduated from the immediately preceding Class XXXI. In a May 21 statement upon graduating, Anderson said the program "allowed me to collaborate with leaders from all aspects of our community."
What's next
The Sept. 3 orientation kicks off the program, followed that evening by an alumni reunion and welcome reception at Sawyer Park Icehouse. Applications for Class XXXIII open in spring 2027. Interested professionals can visit LoneStar.edu/Leadership-NHouston, call 281-813-6623 or email [email protected].
