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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.

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The Gilbert Leadership Steering Committee is a dedicated group of local leaders focused on offering a program to continuously develop future community leaders. This program allows people who live or work in Gilbert to apply to participate in an amazing experience that results in a deeper connection to the community, exploration of leadership principles, an inspired passion to serve, and lifelong connections. As we enter the program’s 33rd class, it represents continuing innovation while also honoring the history it has grown from. ​Kristen Drew - Program Chair, Class XXVI

Program Requirements

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.

The Gilbert Leadership Experience

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.

Gilbert Leadership Class 33

  • Ariel Ackerman - AZCEND
  • Zach Altman - Town of Gilbert
  • Amy Arguilez - Town of Gilbert
  • Desirae Barkan - Gilbert Chamber of Commerce / DB Creative Design
  • Dr. Todd Beck - Edified Chiropractic
  • Chan Braithwaite - Freeport-McMoRan
  • Jenna Brandenburg - Higley Unified School District
  • Karen Camblin - Guild Mortgage Company - Team Camblin
  • Olivia Christensen - Keller Williams Integrity First Realty
  • George Copeland - Salt River Project
  • Jeff DeBellevue - DeBellevue Global Marketing
  • Robin Engel - Retired
  • Tofunmi Fakoya - Achieve Freedom Financial
  • Robert First - Gilbert Police Department
  • Jennefer Frost - Gilbert Public Schools
  • Melissa Garland - Higley Unified School District
  • Deidre Guadagno - All About You Senior Placement and Resource Specialists
  • Ashlee Hanover - Desert Financial Credit Union
  • Karen Hanson - Republic Bank of Arizona
  • Jace Jacobs - CollabraTech Solutions
  • Lauren Miller - Sonoran Senior Placement
  • Melanie Nemetz - Keller Williams Integrity First Realty
  • Nathanael Pierce - Gilbert Talks
  • Dr. Melody Rodarte - Self Employed
  • Melissa Wilson - Banner Gateway Medical Center


Gilbert Leadership Steering Committee Gilbert Leadership Alumni

Gilbert Leadership is sponsored by: