Dozens of Curious Professionals Flocked to Leadership Pasadena Recruitment Reception

Leadership Pasadena (LP) hosted a recruitment reception at the John Aaroe Group building Thursday evening to enlighten a curious crowd of Pasadena professionals about its unique leadership program and extensive networking possibilities. The night profiled the ways  that community members can participate in the unique leadership program for the 2016-2017 recruitment process.

LP is a civic leadership program that has nearly 300 graduates comprised of working professionals and residents in Pasadena. The program aims to further the careers of individuals, improve organizations and establish an extensive alumni network through an eight month program that is professionally facilitated.

The reception began at dusk allowing guests, LP alumni, and board members to break the ice among a table of complimentary cheese and wine. The turnout was plentiful with the general consensus of guests attending to merely learn more about an organization in the most organic of ways through human interaction and presentation.

Priscilla Gubatan, Lead Education Consultant at Caltech, found LP’s networking opportunities intriguing.

“I’m looking to meet some people across Pasadena. Caltech is looking to branch out and be better community partners with the area so it’s about being able to meet other people and find out how we can help and what we can do to really spread our mission,” said Gubatan.

As the attendees gathered indoors, Recruitment Chair and President of Light Bringer Project, Tom Coston, addressed the importance of the individual’s potential as a factor in participating in LP.

“I want you to think about you. Your skills, your knowledge and your passion and what you can bring to LP to raise it to a higher level,” said Coston.

Attendees listened intently to the speakers and became involved in asking technical questions pertaining to the curriculum and overall general insight.

Tom Selinske, Recruitment Chair and Co-Founder of Focus Out, discussed his personal experience as an LP alumni and how it has shaped his life.

“I thought I knew a fair amount about Pasadena, but I didn’t know much. I really realized the different perspectives of my classmates,” said Recruitment Chair Tom Selinske.

Selinske and Coston were tasked with clarifying whether the program is focused around the individual’s desire to develop personal leadership skills to apply towards career growth or for personal development, which proved to be a recurring inquiry.

“Some people will grow their careers and some people will change their careers because of LP. I suggest being open to where the experience takes you because you’ll never know,” explained Selinske.

While the reception was brief, guests and LP members who sought opportunity to network and learn about a longstanding community organization such as LP came to the right place, according to Greg Apodaca, Founder of LP.

“Tonight’s about finding out more about yourself. There’s a lot of personal growth built in to the class. You get to meet lots of other folks that you can collaborate with and that’s the real secret to LP,” said Apodaca.

Applicants for Leadership Pasadena should live, work or volunteer in greater Pasadena. Individuals or companies interested in learning more should contact LP at info@LeadershipPasadena.org.