Leadership Corpus Christi develops emerging and existing leaders by building the skills, knowledge, and relationships needed to strengthen the Coastal Bend community.
Ready to step up? Contact LCC 55 General Chair, Carla Green at: LCC@unitedcorpuschristi.org
in Texas
Strengthening Communities.
Coastal Bend
Program Overview
Leadership Corpus Christi is a 10-month leadership development program that brings together emerging and established leaders from across the Coastal Bend. Through immersive sessions, meaningful conversations, and hands-on community experiences, participants gain the perspective and connections needed to make a lasting impact.
10-Month Program
Monthly sessions from August through May exploring key community topics.Community Immersion
Participants engage with leaders, organizations, and challenges shaping the Coastal Bend.Leadership Development
Build skills in communication, collaboration, and civic leadership.Powerful Network
Join a community of over 1,600 Leadership Corpus Christi alumni.the Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Leadership Corpus Christi was established in 1972 by the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce to help develop and connect emerging community leaders.
The original Steering Committee founders included:
Chairman Donald Greene, the Honorable Jack R. Blackmon, Dr. Roberto Bosquez, Eduardo E. Deases, Ben A. Donnell, Ralph Darden, Robert Plato, Ronald G. Maples, Dr. Jean Richardson, Tom Sexton, W.D. Stevens, Marvin Townsend, and Ivan Wilson.
Leadership Corpus Christi is a 10-month intensive training program. Class members have one official session per month beginning in August and lasting through May of the following year.
Each regular session is generally held on the 2nd Thursday of the month, from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., with the exception of the two overnights involving hotel stays (Opening Retreat in September, State-Federal Session in February).
Other requirements include completion of homework assignments and extracurricular activities outside of the regular sessions.
Program participants cannot miss more than 16 hours. All absences, late arrivals, or early departures (regardless of nature) will count against the attendance requirements.
Applicants must live or work in Corpus Christi, TX. Persons who are, at the time of participant selection, publicly elected officials (except for precinct chairpersons) are not eligible.
Married couples cannot participate in the same class. Prior non-acceptance does not affect future consideration for selection. Due to competitiveness of the program, many candidates selected for Leadership Corpus Christi apply multiple times before being selected.
The most important consideration in selection is identifying those individuals most able to utilize their leadership skills for the long-term benefit of the Corpus Christi community. The basic criteria for selection include the following:
- Sincere commitment, motivation, and interest to serve the community.
- Evidence of career or community achievement appropriate to age and experience.
- Intention to seek public office, boards, commissions, or other similar servant leadership roles.
- Potential or existing opportunity for advancement to top leadership positions within their own organization, which may in turn play a significant role in the community.
- Occupational and/or personal commitment and desire to remain in Corpus Christi.
Participants will be selected by an anonymous selection committee. The committee is designed to be a representative cross section of the Corpus Christi community. To maintain objectivity and prevent outside influence, the committee remain anonymous.
The selection committee is charged with forming a class that represents a reasonable cross section of the backgrounds, interests, and business and civic ties of the Corpus Christi community. Generally, the class profile reflects a primary orientation towards business, and a secondary orientation towards nonprofit organizations.
Each member of the selection committee individually reviews and scores each application using a uniform rating system. To maximize objectivity, the first page of the personal data is omitted from this phase of the selection process. Selection Committee members do not see or know the names or personal data of applicants when scoring responses.
The final selection of participants is made in full committee with all data available and the goals of the Leadership Corpus Christi program considered. Approximately thirty participants will be selected to participate in the Leadership Corpus Christi Class.
A completed Application Packet consists of the following items:
- Completed Application – The application can be saved and does not need to be completed in one session.
- Signed Forms – The signed Participant Commitment Form and Employer Commitment Form must be emailed to esther@unitedcorpuschristi.org for the application to be considered complete.
- Application Fee – A $10 nonrefundable application fee must accompany each application submission. The fee can be paid via credit card in the event registration here.
If paying by check, please make it payable to:
United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Leadership Corpus Christi
602 N. Staples St., Ste 150
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Submission Deadline: The completed Application Packet must be submitted no later than 11:30 PM on April 30, 2026.
Participants will be notified of their selection no later than July 1st. Many qualified candidates will not be chosen due to class size restrictions. We strongly encourage applicants to apply again in subsequent years if they are not selected.
Leadership Corpus Christi is offered to selected participants for a fee (tuition), which includes all ten program sessions, materials, snacks, meals, and overnight accommodations during retreats.
Tuition is $1,500. True cost per participant is $2,500 per person. The remainder of the program cost is funded by generous sponsors and donations.
Tuition can be paid by the participant or by the participant’s employer. Tuition payments may be made by check, money order, credit card and installment payments.
Tuition is due prior to the start of the opening retreat in September, unless installment payment arrangements are made with the United Chamber Foundation, which must be paid in full by December 1.