Leadership provides individuals from business, civic and nonprofit sectors with a framework for engagement in the Community. Participants develop a knowledge base and establish relationships with community leaders representing numerous sectors and issues – from health and housing to education and economic development. Local public, private and nonprofit leaders create connections between communities and constituents through a rich, cross-sector curriculum. For more than 30 years, the program has developed, engaged, empowered, and connected leaders for positive community impact. The Leadership alumni network includes state and local government officials, nonprofit leaders, and business executives.
The Leadership Program is designed to help you:
Develop Skills
Develop the necessary skills to survive in today’s volatile, uncertain and complex environment through customized group trainings and one-on-one coaching sessions.
Make An Impact
Understand how to make an impact on some of the most challenging issues we face from jobs and the economy, to education and the environment, racial injustice and more.
Build Your Network
Build deep, lasting connections with peer leaders from business, government, and the community. Join the network of over 850 alumni who are leading change throughout San Mateo County.
Program Days
Future of Work
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated trends in remote work, e-commerce, and automation, with up to 25 percent of workers needing to change occupations. This class will explore these trends, critical aspects of the post-pandemic economy and the steps we need to take to ensure everyone can prosper.
Home Not Found
San Mateo County is one of the most prosperous places on earth and yet many cannot afford to live here. This class will explore the breadth and depth of the region’s housing challenges and options for the future that increase affordable housing opportunities for low-income residents and improve housing affordability overall.
Education: A Shifting Landscape
Educators, parents, and students know firsthand the cost of the prolonged period of online education, from rising rates of depression and anxiety to the loss of student learning. This class will take an inside look at how our public-school systems are rising to meet these and other challenges.
Rethinking Public Safety
A growing number of communities across the country are taking a different approach to supporting safe, healthy communities. Some are using trained civilian responders for nonviolent emergencies while others are revitalizing neighborhoods and investing in violence prevention initiatives. This class will explore what is being done locally to rethink public safety and make our communities healthier.
Understanding and Addressing Racial Injustice
New York Times bestselling author, Heather McGhee, argues that racism is the root cause of many of the most vexing problems we face today. Using her book, The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together as a reference, the class will explore how this came to be and what we can do about it.
Information, Civic Engagement, and the Health of our Democracy
How do we lift and scale movements that promote our democratic ideals and how do we mitigate the adverse impacts of disinformation and efforts that make it more difficult to use our voice and participate in civic life? This class will explore these critical questions and examine our role as citizens in the 21st century.
Our Mental Health
Months before the COVID-19 pandemic was upon us, the World Health Organization estimated the economic impact of depression and anxiety on the global economy at $1 trillion per year in lost productivity — a number which has likely increased. We will explore the dimensions of our mental health challenges and how we as leaders have an opportunity to show compassion, humility, and openness.
Climate Change: Local Impacts, Local Solutions
Concerns about climate change are as high as ever. Mega wildfires, drought and sea level rise are impacts that have come close to home. Affecting change can seem overwhelming but this class will provide a framework for positive action. You will be inspired by local experts and activists who are working to ensure we have a healthier planet for future generations to enjoy.
Tuition Fee
Tuition for the Leadership Program is $1,650. When accepted into the Leadership program the full tuition amount is due by the deadline specified, unless prior arrangements have been made.
Each participant, as an indication of personal commitment, is encouraged to pay a minimum of $100 of the program costs. Other tuition funding sources, such as an employer or sponsoring organization, may be utilized to provide the balance.
Scholarships are also available. Please erica@sanmateochamber.org for additional information.