As the current President-Elect of Tempe Leadership, I’d like to cordially invite you to an upcoming gathering to find out more about our program and whether this year might be the right year for you to apply.

We’re planning a recruitment reception for Class XXXIII on Wednesday, April 12th from 5:00-7:00pm at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel, located at 60 E. 5th Street in Tempe. The event is free, although your RSVP is strongly encouraged so we can be sure to have everything you need on hand. We’ll have light snacks and a cash bar available. It’s a great opportunity to spend time socializing with our alumni, board members and current class members to learn about our program and how it might benefit you.        

As a graduate of Class XXVII, I can tell you that Tempe Leadership has been a life-changing experience for me. I believe so strongly in their mission and the quality of the program, that it’s become a major focus of my own personal volunteer and philanthropic efforts, as it has for many of our alumni. We typically have more applicants than we have space for in any given class, and there is a reason for that; we provide a high-quality, high-impact program, one of the best available in the valley. People who graduate from Tempe Leadership develop lifelong friendships and a dedicated network of alumni that are there to support you in everything from businesses endeavors to personal setbacks and successes. I know I can always count on my Tempe Leadership friends.       

So what exactly is Tempe Leadership? We are a program of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Each year, we take a cohort of individuals through our nine-month program to learn about Tempe, everything from police and fire, human services, business, sports, education, the arts, local government and more. We offer a variety of leadership opportunities, hands-on experiences and interaction with high-profile local leaders who are experts in their field. This year, we also implemented a year-long personal leadership curriculum designed to help each class member identify and develop their own personal leadership qualities, what it means to be a leader and how to work and interact with a variety of leadership styles. While our program is about personal development, its also about knowing and experiencing your community more fully, making key contacts across a variety of sectors, and identifying and using your unique gifts to make our community a better place.       

Applications for Class XXXIII are currently open and we invite you to apply! The deadline for applications is May 3, 2017.   

What is it like to be a part of Tempe Leadership? What are the benefits of participating? Come join us and find out!

~Nancy Puffer