LEADERSHIP WEST
BY THE NUMBERS
1996 Leadership West founded by Sharolyn Hohman, Diane McCarthy,
Dory Baker, Dr. Homero Lopez, Stephen Cleveland, Elaine Scruggs,
Stan Grossman, Linn Taylor-Passick, Matt Martinez,
Charlie Thompson, Marcie Ellis and Carl Wilson
13 Cities west of I-17
400 Alumni: Mayors, council members, school board members, educators, real estate developers, medical providers, small business owners, corporate giants, grass roots activists, media executives, non-profit directors and municipal employees.
Every aspect of the region is represented.
20 Community Leaders Graduating Every Year
2005 Leadership West wins “Best of the West” for Leadership Organizations
4 Impactful Community Projects every year.
Several have earned a “Best of the West” Award
2008 Leadership West Board adopts new business plan.
2009 Leadership West hires full time, professional staff.
Leadership begins at the
West Valley Summit
This interactive community education event, usually held in the spring, is open to the public with a targeted audience that includes community leaders and citizens representing all stakeholder groups. It revolves around a theme relevant to and focusing on the issues currently facing the West Valley.
Alumni Get-togethers
Alumni engagement is critical to the success of Leadership West. The alumni mixers are targeted opportunities to build knowledge, relationships and support among alumni in two or three events each year. The mixers are sponsored and hosted by an organization that wants exposure to the Leadership West corps of regional leaders.
ABOUT US
Leadership West offers Focus Tours to venues with significant social and economic benefits for the West Valley. Alumni are also invited on a space-available basis. Some traditional and suggested focus tours:
| ASU's West Campus | Glendale Community College |
| Public Safety Tour | Jails / Prison |
| Theater Works | West Valley Arts Council |
| Private Colleges | Sports Stadiums |
| West Valley Hospitals | SRP Helicopter Tour |
| West Valley Art Museum | Westgate |
| Libraries | Spring Training |
| New Life Center | Palo Verde Nuclear Plant |
| Wildlife World Zoo | State Capitol |
| Estrella Mountain Community College | TresRios |
| St Mary's Food Bank | CAP Monitoring |
| United Technology Institute | Luke AFB |
| Lake Pleasant | Arizona Republic |
| Federal Reserve Office | Glendale and Goodyear Airports |
| Cancer Treatment Centers | Valley Metro Transit |
| Peoria Unified School District | Local Government Cable Channels |
| Challenger Space Science Center | Child Crisis Center |
| Television Stations | Thunderbird College |
| Phoenix International Raceway | Midwestern University |
| Sun Health | Research Institute |
| Water Treatment Plant | Interfaith Community Care |
Guiding Principles
Connection
Leadership West exists, first and foremost, so that community members can take action to make the West Valley a better place to work, live and play. Its triad of private, public and non-profit leaders collaborates for safe communities, lifelong learning, economic development and a vibrant quality of life.
Diversity
Leadership West members embrace ethnic, racial and gender diversity and champion diversity in opinion, background, experience and community. Its multi-dimensional network thrives by building relationships among members and other West Valley organizations.
Education
Leadership West recruits leaders and educates them about issues that affect the West Valley. The education is diverse, ongoing and wide-ranging, covering issues from transportation to quality of life to better neighborhoods. Each issue is intertwined, and often transcends a single community.
LeadershipLeadership West is the premier leadership organization in Arizona. Members embody the highest ethical standards in their personal and professional lives and within the organization. Its leaders are sought out for myriad service opportunities and intersect every area of the West Valley, including business, labor, academic, philanthropic, nonprofit, grassroots and civic life.
Regionalism
Leadership West creates and fosters regional approaches to opportunities and challenges facing the West Valley. Issues are critically linked and require cooperative strategies and actions.
Action
Leadership West is a call to action. An informed community, acting together, wisely allocates limited resources to benefit the West Valley. A can-do spirit, teamwork, and a call to action lead to excellence.
The Program
Leadership West Cultivates Leadership Capital for the West Valley. How do we do it? Through our Program! Below are the components of our year-long program:
Orientation
Two orientations are held annually for those who want to learn more about Leadership West and those are considering applying for membership.
Retreat
The retreat, usually held in Prescott over two days in September, is focused on team building for the new class, an overview of West Valley newsmakers, municipalities, economic drivers, major attractions and projects. The Retreat will establish common base of working knowledge for all.Issue Days
The core of the Leadership West program is eight full-length Issue Days featuring speakers who will address issues related to one topic per day. Issue Days are designed to inform, engage and inspire current and emerging leaders to serve and transform their communities. Issue Days:
• Increase awareness and understanding of our community
• Open opportunities for leaders to build a broader network of personal and professional relationships
• Present potential solutions and opportunities for engagement.
• Provide time for an interactive class discussion with the presenters
The topics are: • Education
• Health, Human Services and Safety
• Sports & Leisure
• Infrastructure (transportation, water, communications)
• Sustainability (natural and built environment)
• Business & Media
• Art & Culture
• Government
Projects
Four group projects are presented to the community each year. Throughout the years, many have had tremendous impact, with several earning recognition with a “Best of the West” Award. Group projects offer class members the opportunity to work as a team, to address a need in the community and to affect change. Projects are judged by a panel of community leaders not affiliated with Leadership West.
Synthesis Day
Group projects are presented to the board, alumni and guests at Synthesis Day. It represents the culmination of the year’s work for the current class. After Synthesis day, the current class evaluates their year-long experience.
Graduation
The culmination of the Leadership West class experience is a Graduation ceremony at which certificates of completion are awarded to the current class. It is an evening gala event with dinner and awards. Alumni, community guests, elected officials, sponsors, class members’ families and employers are invited. Awards, including “Best Project” and “Alumnus of the Year” are awarded. The Keynote speaker is a headline leader in the community who helps draw attendance to this prestigious event.