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 31^st 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

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.

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

Leadership Corvallis marks its 30th anniversary with a return to a full in-person schedule and curriculum this fall. Applications are now being accepted for the 2022-23 class.

Leadership Corvallis provides participants opportunities to interact with leaders across the Corvallis community and gain a deeper understanding of the local businesses, government, social services, arts, education and natural resources that make Corvallis a top community in the country to live and work.

The class, which welcomes people new to the community as well as long-time residents, will include an engaging mix of panel interviews, group discussion, small-group breakout chats and tours of locations throughout the community.

There will be 10 classes beginning in September. Each session will be held on the second Thursday of each month (except June, which will be the 1st Thursday) and begin at 9 a.m. and end by 5 p.m. 

The Leadership Corvallis board of directors will closely monitor the latest COVID-19 data and guidance from local, state and federal officials. If it becomes unsafe to move forward with the  in-person program, the board will decide if and how the class can proceed using a virtual or hybrid solution.

Early bird registration for $650 per person is available through June 30. After that it will cost $700 to register. The registration cost includes a non-refundable $25 application fee. Several individuals and organizations have provided scholarship funds for participants. For more information and to apply, visit www.leadershipcorvallis.com/apply.

Leadership Corvallis’ Class of 2022 has started a 10-month exploration of the inner workings of the city of Corvallis and Benton County

Twenty-seven local residents are taking an active role in shaping community policy by participating in this program, which is being offered in a hybrid format with some activities online and others in person while abiding by COVID-19 public health guidelines.

Starting in September, participants began learning about the processes, agencies, institutions and people behind them that make Corvallis function and thrive.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to change Leadership Corvallis, but we are excited to begin resuming some in-person activities this year,” said Leadership Corvallis Board President Nicole Jenkins. “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. Morning class activities occur virtually via Zoom and afternoon sessions occur in-person at locations throughout the Corvallis area that allow for a socially distanced experience.

The hybrid format provides the class opportunities to interact with leaders across the Corvallis community and gain a deeper understanding of the local businesses, government, social services, arts, education and natural resources that make Corvallis a top community in the country to live and work in.

Sessions include a mix of panel interviews, group discussion, small-group breakout chats and tours of locations throughout the community. Session content includes elements designed to help emerging leaders understand and navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and engage in the evolving conversation around racial justice, diversity and equity in the community.

Curriculum for each day is developed and presented by community leaders who volunteer to share their professional insights to inspire the next generation of leaders in Corvallis.

Residents 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.

The Leadership Corvallis Class of 2022 includes:

Marissa Alderman, Samaritan Health Services

Chase Andrews

Catherine Biscoe, Oregon Department of Transportation

Dannielle Brown, Benton County Health Services

Simon Date, Corvallis Chamber of Commerce

Erika DeMonner

Kelly Donegan, retired Oregon State University

Ryan Eaton, Corvallis Police Department

Joel Gustafson, Oregon State University

Veronica Hennessey, Farmers Insurance

Jimbo Ivy, Majestic Theater, City of Corvallis

Lisa Kaufmann, Benton Community Foundation

Sussanne Maleki, Corvallis Structural Balance

Ben Matheny, Columbia Financial Advisors, Inc.

Lily McFadden

Mara McManus, Samaritan Health Services

James Mellein, Corvallis Parks and Recreation

Sam Niesslein

Steven Omernik, Benton County Department of Assessment

Aileen Ortiz, Citizens Bank

Jema Patterson, Heart in the Valley Co-op

Candace Pierson-Charlton, retired Oregon State University

Sarah Reichard, NuScale Power

Bryan Sims, Grounded Real Estate

Holly Terlson, Lumina Hospice & Palliative Care

Kelly Tynon, Ashbrook Independent School

Nicole Wallace, Starker Forests