Looking to lead in Delaware? Here’s a guide to resources

One thing a strong tech ecosystem needs — arguably the most important thing — is a good cross-section of leaders.

A tech leader might be a startup founder, dev manager, C-suite executive, program manager or executive director. They may lead a small team or a large organization, a small startup or a large corporation. They might be a business owner or an employee. Wherever they fit, tech leaders keep tech ecosystems going, help them grow and sometimes put their home ecosystem on the map — especially in a market like Delaware.

Whether you aspire to be a tech leader or already are one and seek to keep things sharp, there are resources in Delaware that can help you build leadership skills, find mentors, network and make a difference in the ecosystem. Here are ten of them:

Leadership Delaware

It’s right there in the name: Leadership Delaware is a year-long fellowship program for adult professionals. It’s not specifically for tech professionals, with annual cohorts of professionals from the corporate, government, education, healthcare and arts sectors. But that industry diversity makes the connections and network that much more powerful. Tech leaders who have been recent Leadership Delaware fellows include Justin Day of the state’s Department of Technology and Information, Dr. Bryan Tracy of White Dog Labs and Hec Maldonado-Reis of Tech Impact (who recently won a 2023 Technical.ly Award).

Leadership of Central Delaware (LCD)

LCD brings together a diverse group of Kent County “leaders of tomorrow” in focus industries including education, agriculture and tourism for a ten-month leadership program. At the end of the program, graduates may move on to the Leadership Mastery Program.

Tech Council of Delaware

Tech- and leadership-focused, members of the Tech Council have access to a network of local tech professionals, advocacy opportunities and programs. Members help shape the tech ecosystem by participating in roundtables, committees and more.

Spur Impact 

Spur Impact is an association focused on professional development, community impact and organizational development. It’s the organization behind the annual MILLSUMMIT, a Wilmington event for entrepreneurs and professionals that highlights leadership with panels, workshops and networking. Year-round initiatives and events include the Emerging Leaders Community, Delaware Difference Makers and DoMore24 Delaware.

Emerging Enterprise Center (EEC)

The EEC, part of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, is a startup incubator and coworking space on the Wilmington Riverfront. It’s the organization behind the annual Entrepreneurship Summit and Swim with the Sharks Pitch competition. But don’t overlook its in-person seminars and e-learning library of free resources, including webinars and talks.

SCORE Delaware

Part of the US Small Business Administration, SCORE connects professionals with mentors, offers free online courses and micro-courses, and provides a portal to live national online events. It’s also a good place to find volunteer opportunities.

Network Delaware

Network Delaware aims to foster civic change through community-focused networking and leadership development. Offerings include individualized leadership coaching and an online resource library.

Delaware Libraries

Is there anything the library can’t do? Aside from the obvious — the masses of free books (and e-books, via the Libby app), with in-person and online librarians to help guide you to find what you need — the library system also offers business services.

Interise

Interise is a four-week program for minority business owners focusing on economic mobility and growth. The national program partners with the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce locally.

Lerner Women’s Leadership Online Certification Program

This four-week virtual course from the University of Delaware’s Lerner College of Business and Economics helps women who are currently in leadership positions sharpen their skills and advance to more significant leadership.

And if that’s not enough, here are other pathways to leadership resources:

Chambers of Commerce

A chamber of commerce is a business network that advocates for its members and provides resources, connections and opportunities for board leadership. Here’s a list of Chambers in Delaware:

• Delaware State Chamber of Commerce
• Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce
• Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce
• Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce
• Delaware Small Business Chamber
• Georgetown Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Millsboro Chamber of Commerce
• Lewes Chamber of Commerce
• Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce
• Milton Chamber of Commerce
• New Castle County Chamber of Commerce
• Rehoboth Beach – Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce
• Western Sussex Chamber of Commerce

Youth resources

These leadership resources are aimed at K-12 young people:

• Aspira of Delaware
• Congressional Award
• Delaware Futures
• Delaware SkillsUSA
• DE Youth Leadership Network
• Governor’s School for Excellence
• Junior Achievement of Delaware
• TeenSHARP
• YWCA Leaders Youth Program

Coaching

• Coach D
• Ignite Your Light Coaching