Building Stronger Communities, Together

The Ford NGL Leadership Council brings together visionary educators, industry leaders, and community partners to strengthen implementation, deepen collaboration, and drive continuous improvement across our network.

About the Ford NGL Leadership Council

Together, we will mobilize educators, employers, and community leaders to prepare a generation of diverse young people who will graduate from high school ready for college, careers, and life—prepared to apply their passion and skills to improve and contribute to their communities and to succeed in a life defined by them.

Designed for communities in Phases 4 and 5 of the Ford NGL Roadmap, the Council represents a dedicated group of district and community leaders who work together to:

Develop and deepen relationships within the Ford NGL family.
Strengthen understanding and appreciation of the diversity within the network.
Gain and share the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to advance the Ford NGL Framework.
Build and sustain systems, structures, and leadership capacity for continuous improvement.

Through invite-only gatherings, members engage in meaningful sessions guided by the Ford NGL Community Connected Framework—shaped by member input, designed for collaboration, and focused on lasting impact.

Benefits of the Leadership Council

Joining the Leadership Council offers members a unique opportunity to:

Collaborate
with leaders

across the Ford NGL network to share experiences and best practices.

Strengthen
community impact

by enhancing system-level implementation of the Ford NGL Framework.

Gain
professional support

through shared tools, network resources, and real-time problem-solving.

Build
lifelong relationships

with peers dedicated to transforming learning and workforce pathways.

Participate
in exclusive events

designed to inspire, educate, and connect community leaders nationwide.

An Annual Gathering

Every October, the Ford NGL Leadership Council comes together for its Annual Gathering, hosted by one of the member communities.

This event serves as a powerful platform to showcase the Community Connected Academy model in action, celebrate local innovation, and strengthen collective learning. Through engaging sessions, success stories, and hands-on experiences, participants leave recharged—with new strategies and deeper connections that fuel progress across their communities.

October 21–23, 2025

The Westin Kansas City
Crown Center
1 E Pershing Rd,
Kansas City, MO 64108

For local insights, explore Belton’s Community Profile—the host team has prepared a unique experience!

For any questions or confirmations, contact Jessica Delgado at [email protected]

Relive the moments of connection, inspiration, and celebration from past gatherings.

Each photo tells the story of shared learning, leadership, and impact

Each morning, we’ll kick things off with a Networking Breakfast from 6:45–7:55 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday in Pershing North. Take advantage of this time to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new members of our Ford NGL family.

Day 1 • Tuesday, October 21

5:15 pm – 7:30 pm
Century C

Session 1: Building Connections and Shared Context
Session 2: Bonding Beyond Business (Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments included)

Day 2 • Wednesday, October 22

6:45 am – 7:45 am
Room: Pershing North

Networking Breakfast: Fuel & Connect

8:00 am
Room: Century C

Session 1: Welcome & Belton Community Story

9:00 am – 12:45 pm
Belton Community

Travel to Belton Experience (Belton, MO)
Session 2: Belton Ford NGL Community Experience

Please note: We will be joined by the Superintendent Council (SC) for this experience.
Travel back to hotel (Kansas City, MO)

12:45 pm – 1:30 pm
Room: Pershing North

Networking Lunch

1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Room: Century C

Session 3: Community Teams Reflection Time
Leadership & Superintendent Council
Session 4: Beyond the Experience: Belton Deep Dives

Please note: The Superintendent
Council (SC) will join for a portion of this experience.
Recharge and Refocus: Power Break
Session 5: Setting the Stage — Preparing for Consultancies
Session 6: Wrapping up & Looking Ahead

5:35 pm – 8:15 pm

Leadership Council Offsite: Evening at the American Jazz Museum & the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

Day 3 • Thursday, October 23

7:00 am – 3:00 pm
(Welcome begins promptly at 8:00 a.m.)

7:00 am – 7:55 am
Room: Pershing North

Networking Breakfast: Fuel & Connect

8:00 am – 12:45 pm
Main Room: Century C

Session 7: Opening Moves — Reconnecting & Grounding
Session 8: Concurrent Sessions:
- The Convenor’s Circle: Roles, Insights, and Connections
- From Vision to System: Advancing the Portrait of a Graduate”
Recharge and Refocus: Power Break
Session 9: Bringing It Together — Highlights & Team Reflections
Session 10: Network Consultancies: Find the Support You Need