Leadership Pasadena Lauds 18 Who Complete 6-Month Community Immersion Program

Four military veterans, four city employees, multiple arts community members, and a number of advocates for community causes such as youth, immigration and homeless services made up the 18 people who completed the hybrid six-month development and community immersion program run by Leadership Pasadena. 

The program graduates are:

Amber Wright, Eugene Hutchins, Elizabeth Barrios, Amara Ononiwu, Katerina Mesesan, Roberto Alvarez, Phyllis Lynes, Kelly Nguyen, Roosevelt Pierre, Jennifer Burghdorf, Jose Madera, Gabriella Guzman, Luis Rocha, Gabriella Guzman, Luis Rocha, Aracelli Mellem, Joy Veluz, Joe Marcinko, Esther Hendershott, and Carol Calandra 

“I am so glad we will be able to share the class’ work with the community it is meant to serve with an in-person graduation. The level of thinking and passion for topics that affect so many of the residents here is impressive,” said Leadership Pasadena Executive Director Kaya Plansker. 

The curriculum, which started in January, was run exclusively online until loosened public health restrictions allowed for in-person classes to resume in April. 

“It’s remarkable how the class was able to connect despite not having met outside of Zoom. They formed a supportive and collaborative group immediately,” said leadership coach and facilitator Carolina Caro. “It’s amazing how adaptable they were.” 

Leadership Pasadena’s curriculum relies on a mix of strength-based personal leadership development, deep immersion into the industries and sectors driving the greater Pasadena area’s growth and development, along with a service project commitment through small group work.

The group strives for diversity in its recruiting, ensuring that the peer learning that happens within the class spans a full spectrum of professional and personal backgrounds.

This year’s community impact projects tackled areas of need stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and looked ahead to areas where community engagement will be critical. 

Projects span a survey designed to assess gaps in youth leadership opportunities for future program planning opportunities, a habit-based learning platform to encourage parents of Madison Elementary students to access the parent portals, interviews with seniors within Pasadena to showcase the diversity of aging needs and experiences, and a white paper proposal on how to increase community engagement and accurate representation of the community within city of Pasadena commissions.

Leadership Pasadena also offered a free inaugural youth leadership workshop series titled “Homegrown Leaders,” which focused on the post-high school graduation period of job development and professional network building. 

Eleven youth between the ages of 16 and 21 participated in the rigorous May workshops, receiving a certification of being “Community-Informed and Leadership Trained.” These Homegrown Leaders were matched with mentors and given an abbreviated version of the core community leadership development curriculum to jumpstart the next step in their professional journey. 

Graduates from both programs will receive their certificates of completion in a reception open to the public from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 10, at the Maxwell House. 

To learn more about Leadership Pasadena, visit www.leadershippasadena.org or contact Kaya Plansker at kaya@leadershippasadena.org