Mesa Leadership Training & Development Program

The Mesa Leadership Training & Development Program announces its newest leadership class — the class of 2025.

The 30 new class members represent a cross section of local small and big business, city of Mesa departments, nonprofits and other community organizations, according to a release.

In May 2025, the graduates will become part of more than 900 Mesa Leadership alumni, many of whom are serving in public office, on nonprofit boards or city commissions, and donating their time and energies in a variety of ways to benefit the city of Mesa and its residents.

The nonprofit organization, which is supported by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, was inaugurated in 1981 with a mission to educate and train potential leaders who are seeking the opportunity to serve in the community and who need exposure to information, organizations and leaders to make that service possible.

Mesa Leadership’s members of the Class of 2025 are:

• Becky Hinds – ICAN Adams
• Ben Udall – Empire-Caterpillar
• Britney Gooch – Meaningful Solutions
• Carly Temme – Boeing
• Cassandra McCray – Mesa Public Schools
• Chris Yakus – City of Mesa Fire & Medical Department
• Chris Mendoza – Intel
• Claire Meek – City of Mesa Police Department
• David Argue – CMC Steel
• Erica O’Herron – Oakwood Creative Care
• Gabby Weiss – Concord General Contracting
• Garrett Stokes – Boeing
• Holly Whaley – Arizona General Hospital
• Jeff Penrose – City of Mesa Police Department
• Jessica Sarkissian – Upfront Planning
• Kelly Whittemore – City of Mesa Attorney’s Office
• Kim Kurian City of Mesa Police Department
• Levi Cueto – Boeing
• Lizzy Bunyard – Valley Remodeling
• Marcos Perez – Midwestern Meats
• Mayra Leon Sanchez – Mesa Chamber of Commerce
• Mike Sowers – City of Mesa Transportation GIS
• Patrick Lucas – CMC Steel
• Paul La Bate – Boys & Girls Club
• Shannon Bickmore – Trumpet
• Shauna Cooper – Three & Me Designs
• Spencer Golden – Boeing
• Starla Miller – Ponderosa Heart Health Call
• Suzanne Alberts – City of Mesa IT Department
• Yvette Armendariz – City of Mesa Economic Development

The nine-month Mesa Leadership Training and Development Program began its first class in August and includes an all-day class once a month, focusing on a different leadership topic and specific topics related to the city of Mesa: city history, city government and administration, sustainability, municipal services, arts, education and more. Classes are led by the Mesa Leadership Curriculum Team and invited leaders from the community, business and nonprofit organizations.

The class curriculum is augmented by a series of educational tours and activities to give participants access to Mesa’s inner workings. Tours are chosen based on the topics covered in monthly classes and have already included a trip to Paz de Cristo, with upcoming tours scheduled for Helen’s Hope Chest, Red Mountain Multigenerational Center, the city’s Transportation Center and Municipal Court, and other organizations and nonprofit groups.

During the year, each class member must shadow a local leader and provide a report in order to earn the associated points.

Other activities include ride-a-longs with police, fire, code enforcement and park rangers. Attending a board meeting for a nonprofit organization is also a part of class participation.

In addition, there will be a class project, which will be chosen by class members next month. This project will benefit a local nonprofit organization.

The class ends in May 2025 with a graduation celebration.

Mesa Leadership Training & Development Program is a 501(c)(3) sponsored by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce and is part of the Mesa Chamber Business in Education Foundation. The program is administered by volunteers who serve as board members.

For information, visit mesaleadership.org/.