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Leadership San Jose

The Region's Premiere Leadership Program

Leadership San Jose is one of the longest running civic leadership programs serving Silicon Valley’s largest city, San Jose. Established Over 30 years ago, Leadership San Jose identifies emerging leaders within San Jose and exposes them to a broad range of issues that impact the city’s economic prosperity and quality of life.

SJC LSJ 2024 Class

Join the next cohort, applications NOW OPEN

Apply to join the 2024-2025 cohort. Applications close on August 2, 2024.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Strengthening Community Leaders

Leadership San Jose (LSJ) is the region’s premiere leadership training program. With a class of 30 members, LSJ engages in a rigorous 10-part, program that brings together emerging and established professionals within the San Jose metropolitan area and exposes them to a broad range of issues that impact the region’s economic prosperity and quality of life, with a goal of increasing participants’ civic, political, philanthropic and/or community service engagement.

30 Class Members

A diverse and passionate group of emerging and established leaders from the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

10 Month Committment

Our cohort meets once a month for an entire day filled with different speakers, activities, interactive tours and lots of time to interact with fellow cohort members.

Active Alumni Network

Cohort members grow into community leaders who define our city.  Join over 880 Alumni and make connections with the movers and shakers of San Jose.

2024-2025 Program Details

Applications for the next cohort of Leadership San Jose are being accepted now through August 2, 2024.

 

Tuition

$3,200 regular rate, $3,000 nonprofit rate

$100 personal contribution for all applicants

Limited scholarships are available for nonprofit applicants, reach out to Janikke Klem for more information jklememail@gmail.com

 

Class Schedule

The cohort meets on Thursdays unless noted.

September 13, 2024 - 9:00-2:30 (NOTE this is a Friday)
October 17, 2024 - 9:00-2:30 plus early happy hour 3:00-5:00
November 21, 2024 - 9:00-2:30
December 12, 2024 - 9:00-3:30 plus LSJ Holiday Party 4:00-6:30
January 16, 2025 - 9:00-2:30
February 20, 2025 - 9:00-2:30
March 20, 2025 - 9:00-2:30 plus class gathering 2:30-4:30
April 17, 2025 - 9:00-2:30
May 15, 2025 - 9:00-2:30 plus Alumni Event 5:30-7:30
June 5, 2025 - 9:00-3:00 Final Program day and Graduation celebration

Meet the Director

Janikke Klem is a highly accomplished public affairs executive dedicated to increasing community awareness, philanthropic involvement, collaboration, and engagement opportunities across industries and sectors. Strategic community ambassador with career success fostering government and community relationships to advocate for public policy, forge philanthropic partnerships, deliver outcomes-driven investments, and advance company brand.

A recognized speaker, panelist, and moderate, contributing expertise in workforce development, education, housing, and economic development.

Janikke's ninja skill is knowing and connecting the right people and organizations to foster innovative collaborations that move our community and economy forward.

Rick Holden Memorial Scholarship Fund

Remembering Rick Holden (November 2, 1944 - April 10, 2024)

Rick Holden, an inspirational community leader, passed away on April 10. Rick ran Leadership San Jose from 1999-2010, developed and led the San Jose Leadership Academy from 2000-2010 with San Jose Unified School District and created and oversaw the San Jose Leadership Council, which kept alumni connected and engaged.

One of Rick’s favorite quotes was “Lead, follow or get out of the way” and he lived his life in exactly that matter.

He educated and mentored hundreds of leadership alumni, many of whom now serve of nonprofit boards, city and county commissions, hold elected offices and two who became police chiefs. Rick lead by example, supporting many arts and education nonprofits, including serving on the boards of Friends of Levitt Pavilion San JoseWe Players and San Jose Jazz, among many others.

The Rick Holden Memorial Scholarship Fund will provide financial support to Leadership San Jose participants who are unable to afford the full tuition, carrying on Rick's legacy of service and leadership within our community.

A WORD FROM OUR ALUMNI

Join 880+ Of Our Alumni Who Are Well-Versed With The Foundation Of Our City And Have A Relentless Passion For Its Well Being.

LEADERSHIP SAN JOSE ALUMNI

We Have A Very Diverse Group Of 882+ Alumni

Google
San Jose Police
San Francisco 49ers
City of San Jose
San Jose Water Company
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
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CALLING ALL ALUMNI

Are You A Leadership San Jose Alumni? We Would Love to Stay Connected!

10 MONTH PROGRAM

A Day In The Life Of A Leadership San Jose Cohort Member

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Retreat Overview

Meet the class members and preview the program objectives where cohorts can make an impact on our great city.

Local Government

Local Government

Overview of San Jose’s assets, priorities and vision for the future

The Present & Future Of Work

Small Business & Economic Development

Insights into the small business trends shaping the economy; how the nature of work is changing; how organizations and individuals are adapting; and specific programs in place to ensure the economy and organizations are diverse and inclusive.

Public Health

Public Health

Discuss why it is in everyone’s interest that every community member has access to regular health care. Talk about healthy living, healthy eating and healthy aging.

Arts, Culture & Placemaking

Arts, Culture & Placemaking

Expand awareness of San Jose’s unique cultural scene, inspire a deeper engagement with the arts, and develop an understanding of art as placemaking.

Quality Of Life

Open Space & Parks

What contributes to a good quality of life in San Jose? Explore issues that create a good quality of life, including parks, placemaking and open space.

Public Safety

Housing & Homelessness

Understand the issues facing the region, and challenges facing the city and businesses in San Jose. This day includes an overview of the County’s rehabilitation and re-entry programs.

Economic Divide

Economic Divide

Explore the root causes of the economic divide. Hear from organizations working to make changes to improve the situation.

Public Education

Beyond the Classroom

Explore libraries, museums, and more where learning extends beyond the classroom.

Putting It All Together

Putting It All Together

Develop a personal civic engagement plan and reflect on the program year.

GROW YOUR NETWORK, DISCOVER SAN JOSE

Where People From The Private, Public And Non-Profit Sector Come Together To Enhance The Quality Of Life In San Jose

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3 business women
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Meet some of the Alumni:

AJ Elias

AJ Alias

Vice President of Retail Delivery
Meriwest Credit Union

Aletha Fulgham

Aletha Fulgham

Assistant Director
El Camino Health

Alex Powell

Alex Powell

Chief of Staff
City of San Jose

Alyssa Erickson

Alyssa Erickson

Program Manager
SV Creates

Alyssa Lynch

Alyssa Lynch

Superintendent
Metro Education District

Andrew Leung

Andrew Leung

Vice President
Private Client Advisor
Bank of America

Ashley Pourroy

Ashley Pourroy

Community Development Manager
Urban Community

Bill Lee

Bill Lee

Martha’s Kitchen

Brian Azzopardi

Brian Azzopardi

Project Manager
Blach Construction

Carline Schmidt

Carlene Schmidt

Development Director
The Health Trust

Carlos Acosta

Carlos Acosta

San Jose Police Department

Carlos DaSilva

Carlos DaSilva

Senior Employee Services Manager
Oracle

Cary Chien

Cary Chien

IP Attorney/Litigator
Hopkins Carley

Chris Enders

Chris Enders

Senior Development Manager
The Core Companies

Darlene Dueck

Darlene Dueck

7th Grade World History Teacher
San Jose Unified School District

Deb Kramer

Deb Kramer

Executive Director
Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful

Edward Lambing

Edward Lambing

Assistant Chief Engineer
Capital Improvement Design
San Jose Water Company

Elizabeth Klar

Elizabeth Klar

Area Operations Manager
Lehigh Hanson

George Zafiris

George Zafiris

Owner
Bill's Café

Janine Ramirez

Janine Ramirez

Regional Director of Community Engagement
Rocketship Charter School

Jessica Stanford

Jessica Stanford

Applied Materials

Julie Ott

Julie Ott

Director of Events
Valley Medical Center Foundation

Julie Stoner

Julia Stoner

Manager
El Camino Health

Kyle Bergner

Kyle Bergner

Project Manager
Cupertino Electric Inc.

Mary Alcazar

Mary Alcazar

VTA

Matt Albert

Matt Albert

Partner
Deloitte

Matt Springer

Matt Springer

BSA Officer, VP FIU
Tech CU

Michelle Dreyband

Michelle Dreyband

genArts

Nathan Roselin

Nathan Roselin

Attorney
Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel

Paul Ring

Paul Ring

Executive Vice President
Urban Catalyst

Robert Kulick

Robert Kulick

Project Manager
Cupertino Electric Inc.

Sherilyn Tran

Sherilyn Tran

Civic Engagement Manager
Santa Clara Valley Water District

Stan McFadden

Stan McFadden

San Jose Police Department

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