Area Company Provides Scholarship for USAF Major to Attend Pasadena Organization’s Leadership Program

A U.S. Air Force vereran from Montrose will be attending Pasadena Leadership’s six-month course on community leadership development thanks to a scholarship donated by a La Canada Flintridge Company, representatives announced Monday.

Maj. Jennifer Burghdorf has been awarded the scholarship, which was funded by the Allen Lund Co., Pasadena Leadership said in a written statement.

The program is designed with helping military members make successful transitions into civilian life in mind.

“Military service personnel are highly trained and conditioned to excel in military endeavors, but the behaviors that worked so well in active service may hold veterans back in the civilian world,” according to the statement. 

“Through LP, Major Burghdorf will learn civilian leadership concepts and tactics, ease her leadership transition into the civilian world, and determine how to best apply her unique skills to the civilian sector.

“Major Burghdorf will be able to try out her new leadership skills in a safe, civilian setting. Her participation will also allow the other participants to get to know her and better understand the rigors of military service and veterans’ transition process after active service,” according to the statement 

Burghdorf, along with her husband U.S. Air Force Maj. Andy Burghdorf, were named Veterans of the Year by the Los Angeles County Supervisors late last year. It was the first time a married couple received the honor.

Andy Burghdorf previously completed the Leadership Pasadena  program.

“I am deeply humbled to be selected for the Leadership Pasadena Class of 2021,” Jennifer Burghdorf said. “At the moment, our community is facing a tremendous challenge with the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no better time to cultivate relationships with dynamic community advocates.”

She also thanked the Allen Lund Co.

The program has been reformatted into a form that allows for social distancing protocols, organizers said.

Leadership Pasadena Executive Director Kaya Plansker commended Burghdorf, as well as the company that provided the scholarship.

“The Allen Lund Co.’s support for our veterans is a testament to how inclusion can build community leadership in new ways,” Plansker said. “LP is very honored to be working with the Lund organization to help a remarkable veteran, Maj. Burghdorf, take her place as a leader in our region. We are excited to be a part of her reaching her civilian potential and to learn from her ourselves.”

More information about Leadership Pasadena is available online at leadershippasadena.org.