Leadership Collier Foundation Impact Stories: Crystal Kinzel (LC '00, LI '03)

1. How did your Leadership Collier experience influence your involvement in the community or your professional life?  

Beginning with Leadership Collier 2000, I met friends that are still in my life.  They are part of a professional and friend network that has been instrumental in my successes for 25 years!   Leadership Institute in 2003 introduced me to another great group who also remain friends.  From LI, the Youth Leadership concept was formed and executed and has been a rewarding part of my life for over 20 years!  LI also gave me the incentive to assess my career goals and I changed careers from the Sheriff’s Office to the Clerk’s Office and moved from Director to now the Elected Clerk.  The relationships and insights I gained motivated me to grow in our community and in my life goals.

2. Can you share an example of a project, initiative, or leadership role you’ve taken on in Collier County since completing the program? 

In addition to my career change and current role as an elected official that I might never have considered prior to LI,  I met an amazing group of women who joined to create YLC.   

3. What advice or insight would you share with current or future participants about making a lasting impact through Leadership Collier? 

BE ENGAGED! Whether it is with our schools, local/county/state government, charities, or other local groups and clubs be engaged! It broadens your prospective, keeps you informed and provides an opportunity to support or change the community (and maybe the world!)

4. What was the most memorable moment or key takeaway from your program experience? 

Long-lasting friendships and an incredible trusted network of “go to” people.  These mentors, counterparts, friends and classmates remain an amazing resource for encouragement, counsel and support in all that I do.  

5. How has being part of the Leadership Collier network supported your goals or collaborations in the community? 

It has kept me engaged in the community and provided the networking for hopefully making a positive difference in our community and government.   It has allowed me to also encourage and support the younger generations from YLC, ALC and LC, hoping that our community will continue to be a great place to live work and thrive! And even play a little!