Gymnazo founder and coach Michael Hughes (left) and San Luis Obispo Fire Chief Garret Olson work on a trust exercise during the Leadership SLO retreat.
It’s been more than two decades since Leadership San Luis Obispo was formed to fill a growing demand for civic involvement. Over the following 22 years the program has identified and developed effective community leaders, impacted lives through civic projects and laid the foundation for a better community.
A new group of 36 participants that make up Leadership SLO class XXIII recently began its 10-month adventure with a three-day retreat in the Sierra foothills under the able guidance of a new facilitator Karen Storey, a corporate trainer.
“We are constantly striving to stay ahead of the curve, try new things and introduce changes to the curriculum that could offer an enhanced experience for class members,” said Sandi Sigurdson, Leadership SLO executive director and member of the inaugural class. “Karen’s background as a business leader and coach heightened the experience and brought people together.”
Named the San Jose Chamber of Commerce’s Women of the Decade, Storey brought more than 37 years of development and coaching experience to the retreat at Wonder Valley. Having previously served as the director of staff development and training at the San Jose Mercury News, Storey also founded and served as the executive director of The Wellness Community-Silicon Valley where she raised more than $500,000 to open the cancer support and education nonprofit.
“The Leadership SLO retreat was a great experience,” said class member Adrienne Harris, executive director of the Morro Bay National Estuary Program. “I was able to learn directly from my peers who represent a diversity of groups in SLO County. Karen Storey’s insights and exercises on leading organizational change were timely and valuable for my own organization.”
Designed to facilitate team building and class bonding, the January retreat saw moderate 60 degree temperatures and provided opportunities for developing trust amongst class members.
“The Leadership retreat was better than I could have imagined,” said class member Missy Reitner-Cameron, principal at (III) Design. “The group had multiple opportunities to connect, bond and laugh…which helped bring strength and camaraderie to class XXIII.”
Launched in January 1992, the program includes an initial retreat followed by full day sessions once a month from February through October. The sessions focus on different areas of SLO County life including arts, education, economic development, media, health, county and city government, sustainability, justice and agriculture. Through a continuously adapting curriculum, hands-on homework, expert panels and lively presentations, class members hone their personal leadership style and work together with community members of diverse experiences and opinions.
“We set out to develop a corps of dynamic, effective and inspired leaders who will participate in civic activities and volunteer in leadership positions throughout the community,” Sigurdson said. “Members of class XXIII, along with nearly 800 alums, will make an impact.”
Leaving a lasting impact through life-long service is one of the major takeaways of the program. The other is a class Legacy Project.
Each class selects a Legacy Project which leaves an enduring benefit to the community, allows the class members an opportunity to use their new leadership skills collectively and increases the long-term viability of the program. Past projects include helping to build the Johnson Ranch trail, restoring the Healing Garden at Transitions-Mental Health Association’s Growing Grounds Farm and creating an outdoor classroom for toddlers at the Child Development Center, among many others.
Leadership SLO is an independent nonprofit organization supported by tuition, generous sponsors and volunteer speakers from all walks of life and is led by a 15-member volunteer board of directors.