Gilbert Leadership

Founded in 1992, Gilbert Leadership serves as a transformative platform that unites individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. The program is designed to cultivate leadership potential while providing participants with insight into the critical issues that affect our community. By deepening their understanding of diverse needs and concerns, these emerging leaders are empowered to effectively channel their resources and efforts toward making a meaningful impact in various areas. Class applications are welcomed annually from March 1st to July 5th, inviting passionate individuals to embark on this enriching journey.

Gilbert Leadership candidates are required to live or work in Gilbert or be employed by a business holding an active membership with the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce for at least one year. Candidates should possess a commitment to community involvement and personal growth, and have a desire to improve the local community.

Interested candidates must submit a written application and will then be invited to an in-person interview. Final selection is made by the Gilbert Leadership Steering Committee.

Class applications are accepted March 1st - July 5th each year.

Gilbert Leadership participants can expect to:

• Learn about the many opportunities to serve the Gilbert community and gain an understanding of community processes and programs
• Get first-hand knowledge of the challenges and demands facing Gilbert
• Develop your leadership skills by conceiving, planning, and implementing a group project to benefit the community
• Participate in team-building and community-centric learning days designed to expand your knowledge and leadership traits
• Foster strong and lasting connections with a network of leader

Participants are eligible for graduation upon earning a predetermined number of program points through participation in a combination of learning days, the Gilbert Days Parade, a community service project, and individual tours.

Learning Days
Each learning day offers a unique exploration of the community. These days are organized by current Gilbert Leadership Board Members and past class members with careful consideration for providing a robust and impactful experience. There are ten Learning Days and focuses include:

• Team Building
• Leadercast (a simulcast event)
• History of Gilbert
• Government
• Education
• Economic Development
• Public Safety
• Health & Wellness
• Community & Social Engagement
• Reflect & Connect/Graduation

Gilbert Days Parade
Each year, the Class will celebrate the program's heritage and future by hosting the Gilbert Leadership entry in the Gilbert Days Parade. The Class will work together to determine the theme, build the float, and walk/ride with the float in the parade.

Service Project
Each year, Gilbert Leadership the Gilbert Leadership Class will work together to seek out and address a need in our community through a project that will create a lasting impact. The class will work together to plan, organize, fund, and complete this project.

The Service Project should reflect the legacy of the Class and should align with the collective interests, talents, resources, and creativity. The goal of the Service Project is to find a way to give back to the community.

Tours

Each class member will be individually tasked to earn an additional 40 points in Tour experiences. Tours are intended to engage class members in the community and may involve attendance and/or participation in events, visits to community institutions, and/or collaboration with local non-profit organizations.

Class members should make an effort to engage with a variety of organizations and opportunities so as to support a diverse experience. Tours with companies or organizations with which the class member is already affiliated (e.g., place of employment) may not qualify for points.

• Ana Barraza - Banner Health
• Brandy Bierly - Capstone Hospitality
• Greg Bouslog - Valley of the Sun YMCA
• Keith Bradshaw - The Town of Gilbert
• Nicole Charmoli - Gilbert Chamber of Commerce
• Joshua Cooper - SERVPRO of Gilbert
• Jacqueline Cruz - House of Refuge
• May Dobbins - Vitalant
• Ashley Doering - Town of Gilbert
• Monica D'Ortenzio - Town of Gilbert
• Alan Fields - Higley Unified School District
• Ariel Harton - Town of Gilbert
• Brian Hoyt - Town of Gilbert Police Department
• Holly Kempton - LifeLite Financial
• Derek Konofalski- Sleepytime Studios
• Jeff Kressaty - Salt River Project (SRP)
• Bernadette La Mazza - Chandler-Gilbert Community College
• Amanda Leno - Thrive Counseling Services, LLC
• Dawn Mackay - Gilbert Public Schools
• Nanda Micaletti - Arizona Forward
• Immanuel Ndiba - Salt River Project
• Stuart Preston - Tech-y Digital Marketing LLC (dba Cingularis)
• Clay Richardson - Self-employed
• Tim Shaffer - Open Hearts Family Wellness
• Ken Snow - Town of Gilbert
• Nathan Thue - Arizona Total Home Restoration
• Audie Whipple - SRP

Gilbert Leadership is sponsored by: