LGR Alumni Spotlight

Jeff Ballew, Volunteer & Community Engagement Specialist for United Way of Olmsted County

Class of 2007

It's no secret that Leadership Greater Rochester (LGR) impacts the community involvement and provides valuable leadership experience to its participants, but one alumnus, Jeff Ballew, used his experience as a passageway to a new career. "A valuable lesson I learned from my leadership experience was the importance of following one's passion, rather than continuing to do the same thing because you feel compelled to do it," says Ballew. "You shouldn’t live your life feeling inescapably stuck in current circumstances."

Ballew has now adopted a quote from Howard Thurman that was sent to him by a good friend - "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

A second lesson Ballew walked away with from his LGR experience was how much a person can do by simply getting involved. "There are far too few people who get involved with the community and there is great opportunity to make a difference by just stepping forward," he says.

On Oct. 12th, Ballew left his previous position at Mayo Clinic and joined United Way as their Volunteer and Community Engagement Specialist. "The knowledge and particularly the associations I gained through LGR led me directly to the career change," says Ballew. “The Chamber, through LGR, has helped me to make a life-changing career move. Without this experience, this would have never been possible.”