In late June, the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce opened registration for the Leadership Pleasanton program for the Class of 2024. Leadership Pleasanton was created by the Pleasanton Chamber in 1988 and has produced more than 800 graduates in its 30-plus years. In the Fall of each year, 30 individuals from local businesses, professional, government and service organizations as well as residents begin participating in monthly, day-long sessions, culminating in a graduation in May. Participants have the opportunity to go behind the scenes with current leaders in the community to learn what makes Pleasanton work.

"This popular program offers community members the chance to expand their personal and professional networks while having fun and learning about how all the segments of our community work together to make it an amazing place to live and work," according to Pleasanton Chamber Community Foundation Chair-Elect Susan Hayes. The Chamber's Community Foundation sponsors the Leadership Pleasanton program.

Whether you are new to Pleasanton or a life-long resident, participating in Leadership Pleasanton is a wonderful opportunity. "I can honestly say it has changed the trajectory of where I'm at in my life," according to Nick Valenziano, an alum from the Leadership Class of 2016.

The Leadership Pleasanton program's goal is to develop community leaders. Topics of the monthly, day-long sessions include Pleasanton history, local government, health and human services, business and economics, education, public safety, infrastructure, and recreation. Each session features presenters representing a cross-section of the community and is designed to be interactive, educational, and challenging.

"The continuance of this program is critical to the overall success and understanding of how a city works, makes laws and legislation that affect the business, economic, and employment base within our community along with city services and the nonprofit communities that serve our community," according to Maria DeBenedetti of Heritage Bank and Leadership Pleasanton Class of 2023. "Public safety services, healthcare, and infrastructure are critically necessary to support community, businesses, and residents alike so we can feel safe, thrive, and prosper together."

Chamber Business Operations Manager Yianna Theodorou oversees the program, which graduated 30 participants last May. "It's so great to see the dynamic of the group from start to finish each year," she says. Participants "make great connections and build lasting relationships that truly benefit everyone.

Jamie Renton of Pleasanton Unified School District and Leadership Pleasanton Class of 2023 agrees. "The friendships and connections I made with people from all different sectors are invaluable."

The Leadership Pleasanton program is open to everyone in the community, including individuals who work in the city and live elsewhere. Interested participants must register by July 31, 2023 to be considered. A tuition of $950 covers all program materials, transportation, lunch on the day of sessions, and a graduation celebration. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available as well as partial scholarships for the program. Participants attend monthly day-long sessions on the second Thursday of the month beginning in the Fall. Each member of the class is expected to attend all sessions in their entirety in order to realize the maximum benefits of the program, according to Theodorou.

For more information about Leadership Pleasanton, please visit www.pleasanton.org/leadership-pleasanton or email Program Director Yianna Theodorou at yianna@pleasanton.org.