Leadership Institute of North Central Washington graduates inaugural class

WENATCHEE — The Leadership Institute of North Central Washington celebrated the graduation of its inaugural cohort on February 27, with 26 students from four counties completing an intensive civic leadership program.

The City of Wenatchee formally recognized the occasion by proclaiming February 27 as Leadership Institute of NCW Day during a city council meeting, followed by a graduation ceremony at the Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center.

"Strong leaders, with the tools and passion to participate fully in society, are key to strong communities," said Beth Stipe, executive director for the Community Foundation. "We spent over two years researching and evaluating program curriculum from all over the country to ensure that anyone who had the commitment and passion to get more involved in strengthening the social fabric of our communities would have an opportunity to enhance their skills."

The 20-session training program, held at Wenatchee Valley College, uses curriculum developed by the Parent Leadership Training Institute, a national program founded 30 years ago to build civic capacity among community members. The program follows a structured approach beginning with a retreat, followed by ten sessions on personal leadership development and another ten sessions examining civics, public policy, government structures, budgets, and media studies.

The event featured a keynote address from Zulema Gomez, Director of Capacity Building at the National Parent Leadership Institute, speeches from graduates, and remarks from District 12 Representative Mike Steele.

As part of program requirements, graduates designed and implemented community projects addressing various needs, including emotional well-being resources, inclusive 4-H clubs, veteran services, after-school programs, community gardens, and civic participation strategies.

"This program didn't just give me tools to help climb proverbial mountains – it gave me a crew and network to do it with, including the safety net of supportive people at the base," one participant shared.

Another graduate reflected, "My whole life would not be the same without this program. It changed the way I think, and now I know how to use my voice without being afraid."

The program originated from Our Valley, Our Future's Action Plan "Game Changer" initiative, developed with feedback from over 2,500 local residents seeking more representative civic leadership. A Civic Design Team was formed with representatives from multiple community organizations to develop the institute.

The Leadership Institute will expand to Grant County in 2025 and Okanogan County in 2026. The program is open to all adults with a passion for community improvement, regardless of prior leadership experience or education.

The Community Foundation of North Central Washington, established in 1986, manages $163 million in assets through more than 690 individual funds and has awarded over $63 million in grants and scholarships throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

Those interested in joining a future cohort or learning more about the program can visit https://cfncw.org/leadershipinstituteofncw/ for updates and application details.