Leadership Corvallis

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Posted on May 4, 2025

Class of 2025 Graduation

Please join Leadership Corvallis as we celebrate the graduating class of 2025! We will also honor this year’s recipient of the Hans Neukomm Leadership Award and hear from a member of the class.

Thursday, June 5
5:00 p.m. – Networking with sandwiches, appetizers & no-host bar
5:30 p.m. – Program begins
4 Spirits Distillery – map

Tickets for graduates are complimentary, alumni and guests are $30 per person (includes 1 drink ticket).
(Tickets will be available soon. Please check back.)

Posted on October 4, 2024

Welcome to the Class of 2025!

Leadership Corvallis returns for its 32nd year this fall with a class of 28 starting a 10-month exploration of the inner workings of the greater Corvallis community.

Class members will learn about the processes, agencies, institutions, and the people behind them that make the greater Corvallis community function and thrive.

Class themes include government services, economic vitality, health care, human services, arts, education, and natural resources. Sessions include mixed panel discussions, interactive activities, and field trips to spots around the community.

Those interested in taking part in future Leadership Corvallis classes should reach out to Melissa Carter-Goodrum, Leadership Corvallis recruitment committee chair, at recruit@leadershipcorvallis.com.

Since its inception in 1993, more than 600 people have graduated from Leadership Corvallis.

The Leadership Corvallis class of 2025 is:

  • Frederic Bahnson, Samaritan Health Services
  • Anya Ballinger, Benton County Historical Society
  • Dazie Carnes, Vina Moses Center
  • LillyAnn Cavill, Community Outreach Inc.
  • Marlo Crenshaw, Jacobs
  • Terri Fackrell, City of Corvallis, Parks & Recreation Department
  • Jeff Flesch, Linn-Benton Community College
  • Sarah Foster, Northwest Financial Group LLC
  • Erinn Gavaghan, The Arts Center
  • Alexis Hammer, Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development
  • Angela Hibbard, Corvallis Public Schools Foundation
  • Casey Higgins, Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis
  • Michael Hinckley, Corvallis Police Department
  • Robert Hulshof-Schmidt, Civics Learning Project
  • Karina Hultgren, Good Vibes Interior Decorating and Consulting
  • Mark Kaenel, Linn-Benton Community College
  • Carolyn Mayers, retired
  • Mildred Mugocheki, City of Corvallis
  • Noelle Henderer, Henderer Design + Build + Remodel
  • Jessica O’Connell, Corvallis Regional Communication Center / Corvallis Police Department
  • Crystal Patterson, Corvallis Police Department
  • Karen Porter, The Reynolds Law Firm
  • Jessica Purcell, Citizens Bank
  • Lily Rojas, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
  • Kristin Starnes Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
  • Gabriel Taylor, Citizens Bank
  • Christopher Viggiani, Oregon State University
  • Matt Vogt, City of Corvallis, Planning Division



Posted on October 6, 2023

Leadership Corvallis welcomes a new class

Leadership Corvallis returns for its 31st year this fall with a class of 25 starting a 10-month exploration of the inner workings of the greater Corvallis community.

Class members will learn about the processes, agencies, institutions, and the people behind them that make the greater Corvallis community function and thrive.

“We’re excited to kick off the 31st year of Leadership Corvallis,” said Chris Quaka, president of Leadership Corvallis. “I am truly thankful to the countless volunteers who make the program a great experience for participants year after year. This year’s class is ready to learn more about our community and how they can expand their knowledge of this great city!”

The class meets the second Thursday of each month with a different theme each month. Themes include government services, economic vitality, health care, human services, arts, education, and natural resources. Sessions include mixed panel discussions, interactive activities, and field trips to spots around the community.

Those interested in taking part in future Leadership Corvallis classes should reach out to Melissa Carter-Goodrum, Leadership Corvallis recruitment committee chair, at recruit@leadershipcorvallis.com.

Since its inception in 1993, more than 600 people have graduated from Leadership Corvallis.

The Leadership Corvallis class of 2024 is: 

  • Jamie Andresen, Cudo Financial Inc.
  • Lily Bender, Linn-Benton Community College
  • Christel Birdwell, city of Corvallis, Majestic Theatre
  • Tara Gholson, city of Corvallis, Parks & Recreation
  • Elisia Harder, The Reynolds Law Firm, PC
  • Amy Hoover, Smith, Davison & Brasier, PC
  • Zane Hylton, Collaborative Employment Innovations
  • Angela Koning, self-employed
  • Shelley Miller, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center
  • Eavie Philpott,  Zoa Realty
  • Kathi Phillpott, Citizens Bank
  • Tyler Reece, Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis
  • MaryNell Regan, self-employed
  • Jeff Reilly, Redemption Church
  • Steven Richmond, Squirrels Tavern
  • Lily Schmidt, Greenbelt Land Trust
  • Dasha Sereseva, Oregon State University, College of Business
  • Julia Solarte, Cornerstone Associates, Inc.
  • Lindsey Stallard, Corvallis Housing First
  • Helga Stevens, full-time student
  • Jared Thayer, Thayer Design Build
  • Blossom Van Kinkle, The Reynolds Law Firm
  • Heidi Weisel, City of Corvallis – Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
  • Andrew Wolf, Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis
  • Casandra Zosel, Valley Clinics

Posted on March 22, 2023

Applications open for 2023-24 Leadership Corvallis class

Have you always wanted to be a community leader? Do you want to meet the people that make the Corvallis community run? Are you interested in making connections that will promote your professional growth? If so, consider applying to be part of the next Leadership Corvallis class.

The program, which just marked its 30th anniversary and has more than 600 alumni, brings together a cohort of like-minded residents interested in impacting their community.

Daylong sessions are held once per month from September through June (second Thursday of the month from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Topics include health care, government, human services, education, the arts and natural resources. Participants meet community leaders and take field trips to locations throughout the community.

Tuition is $700. Applications received by June 30, 2023 will receive a $50 early bird discount. When applying, a $25 deposit will be required. The $675 balance will be due upon acceptance into the class.

To apply visit www.leadershipcorvallis.com. For more information about the application process please contact recruit@leadershipcorvallis.com.

Posted on November 6, 2022

Leadership Corvallis 30th anniversary class gets started

Leadership Corvallis marks its 30th anniversary this fall with 26 class members starting a 10-month exploration of the inner workings of the greater Corvallis community.

This year’s class marks a return to a full in-person schedule and curriculum. Class members will learn about the processes, agencies, institutions, and the people behind them that make the greater Corvallis community function and thrive.

“We are thrilled to be back to a fully in-person schedule this year,” said Leadership Corvallis Board President Kemble Tsoi. “Each class day will focus on a crucial element of our community, building upon the previous sessions to paint the big picture of what makes Corvallis a unique place to live, work and lead.”

The class meets the second Thursday of each month with a different theme each month. Themes include government services, economic vitality, health care, human services, arts, education, and natural resources. Sessions include mixed panel discussions, interactive activities, and field trips to spots around the community.

Those interested in taking part in future Leadership Corvallis classes should reach out to Chris Nordyke, Leadership Corvallis recruitment committee chair, at chris.nordyke@gmail.com.

Since its inception in 1993, more than 600 people have graduated from Leadership Corvallis.

The Leadership Corvallis Class of 2023 includes:

Karen Aklin, Citizens Bank

Jonah Browning, The Arc of Benton County

Shannon Bush, Benton County Community Development Department

Mica Contreras, DevNW

Claire Davis, The Reynolds Law Firm

Kathryn Duvall, Corvallis Benton County Economic Development Office

Callie Elliott, Citizens Bank

Celina Franklin, Benton Community Foundation

Ron Gilliland, Ron Gilliland Coaching Services

Lexi Greenley, Unity Shelter

April Holland, Benton County Public Health Department

Jessica Hougen, Benton County Historical Society

Ben Harvey, Corvallis Police Department

Kyle Hatch, Samaritan Health Services

Denise Hughes-Tafen, University of Oregon

Darrel Kau, Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation

Toby Lewis, Benton County Community Development Department

Brayden Moore, Chateau Management

Mayme O’Neill, Citizens Bank

Amanda Peterson, WaFd Bank

Meredith Petit, City of Corvallis Parks & Recreation Department

Jacqueline Rochefort, City of Corvallis Parks & Recreation Department

Nissa Rost-Rothman, Benton Habitat for Humanity

Bob Tyler, The Reynolds Law Firm

Melissa Ward, Oregon State University

Rebecka Weinsteiger, DevNW

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