MANSFIELD — The Mansfield-Richland Area Educational Foundation, an organization of the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, announced Friday that it will operate under the new trade name Richland LEADS.

This brings together the organization’s full portfolio of community leadership programs under a single, unified brand.

Alongside the new name, the organization is introducing a refreshed mission: to empower people to lead boldly, strengthen community, and shape the future of Richland County.

Together, the new name and mission give residents, employers, and community partners one clear identity for the full range of leadership, workforce development, and civic engagement opportunities the Foundation has long provided across Richland County.

Long anchored by its signature program, Leadership Unlimited, the organization has grown to offer programming spanning middle school through the executive level. Richland LEADS now serves as the umbrella brand for that full continuum of programs:

  • LeaderRichland
  • Young Leaders Institute
  • Engage Richland
  • Leadership Unlimited
  • Richland Area Executive Leadership Program
  • Discover Richland Tours

“Leadership Unlimited has trained community leaders since 1983, and it’s still at the heart of what we do,” said Angie Cirone, Executive Director of Richland LEADS. “But our work has grown beyond a single program.

“Today, Richland LEADS offers a full continuum of leadership development, from middle school students to executives, and this new name reflects the full scope of what we offer.”

The LEADS framework

The Richland LEADS name captures the organization’s mission: to empower people to lead boldly, strengthen community, and shape the future of Richland County. Every program is built around five strategic pillars.

L – Learn: Cultivate knowledge, awareness, and continuous learning across the community by expanding access to leadership programs and events.

E – Engage: Build meaningful connections and active participation across industry sectors while activating participants and alumni as contributors, connectors, and ambassadors for Richland County.

A – Aspire: Inspire leaders to envision and pursue a stronger future for the region by encouraging forward-thinking leadership and community vision.

D – Develop: Strengthen leadership skills and capacity at every career stage, equipping individuals to lead effectively and contribute to Richland County’s workforce and talent pipeline.

S – Serve: Promote service-driven leadership that creates lasting community impact by empowering leaders to actively contribute to the betterment of the community.

About Richland LEADS

Richland LEADS is the trade name of the Mansfield-Richland Area Educational Foundation, an organization affiliated with the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development.

Richland LEADS empowers people to lead boldly, strengthen community, and shape the future of Richland County through programs spanning youth leadership, workforce development, executive leadership, civic engagement, and community service. Learn more at https://richlandareachamber.com/workforce/richland-leads/