Leadership Whidbey

Today, more than ever, local communities need informed, inspired and connected critical thinkers with a broad perspective grounded in community service. 

We need leadership that will strengthen and transform our communities.

Our Mission

To provide accessible, high quality development opportunities that will connect, inspire and advance transformational leadership across Whidbey Island.

Leadership Whidbey is an intensive community adaptive leadership development program for adults who live or work on Whidbey Island. Our annual program runs for 7 months with 75 classroom hours and up to 85 hours of experiential learning opportunities. 

Currently completing our second year of operation, Leadership Whidbey has 40 alumni after our May 20 graduation. 

" I have learned how to utilize my strong suits to compliment the strong suits of others. I am more committed to using the JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) principles to actively bring as many voices to the table as I can. Leadership Whidbey has especially helped me improve my ability to really listen and allow others to communicate what they need instead of having me assume I know what they need.” ~Class of 2021 Alumni 

With your gift, Leadership Whidbey will continue on the path of sustainability, including support of high-quality curriculum, outstanding leaders who staff the program, and 60+ annual volunteers. Thank you for your support of this community-based program as it continues to thrive and grow.

"A special thank you to our two match donors Barbara Schaetti who is supporting our program coaches and the equity focus of our program and Nancy Nordhoff who is supporting general giving."

Learn more @LeadershipWhidbey, sign up for our newsletter and learn how to apply for our next cohort. 

Guiding Principles and Themes for Leadership Whidbey

1. Intentionally create connection and build a supportive learning community drawing on participants knowledge and strengths.
2. Develop a reflective leadership practice informed by leadership models, self-assessment, goal-setting, failing forward, and learning in community.
3. Deepen understanding of the complexity and interconnections of community issues informed by history, legacies, and diverse points of view. 
4. Explore and practice ethical leadership, community stewardship and justice-seeking.
5. Foster respect and understanding through listening, collaboration, civil discussion, and developing attitudes and skills to find common ground with diverse community groups.
6. Gain skills and formulate strategies to effectively take action through cultivating relationships, leveraging resources, and finding a place in decision-making processes within the community. 

Skills and Knowledge Gained:

• Knowing my truth, knowing that my voice does matter & that I can make a difference.
• Everything I have learned belongs to an integrated whole. Collaborative work with many unique and difference voices is perhaps the greatest part.

Leadership Challenges They Are Willing to Take On:

• To grow up more leaders and bring them to this amazing and transformative experience. To commit myself to be a JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) warrior in all the work that I do.
• Definitely going to continue working in the affordable housing arena on Whidbey and elsewhere. I feel like Leadership Whidbey opened my eyes to how interconnected every issue is, so I don't necessarily feel overwhelmed by it all anymore. I'm just choosing what I love the most and hoping to make a big impact there, knowing it will ripple out.
• I am committing to using my privilege to uplift marginalized voices. Which means I must begin to use my voice, something I often shy away from. I am also committing to seeking out and building collaborations with other organizations who seek to serve marginalized populations.

In Support of Community Leadership Programing

“In my experience as the former executive director of Leadership Snohomish County, I witnessed first-hand what it means when a community embraces both new and experienced leaders. By creating opportunities to reach across different disciplines, and asking them to find ways to meaningfully take on stewardship of the community, participants discovered ways to dig deep into issues they cared about. They learned to work smarter, get out of silos, and act to create and build upon multiple benefits for their communities. By learning more about their own values and strengths, they learned how to see and encourage the abilities of those around them.  

The truth is, community leadership programs are investments that pay local communities back ten-fold; we develop leaders for a lifetime. Community needs are great. I watched participants build relationships that had sticking power and choose issues to stay with for the long term. I watched leaders expand. Communities that support these programs are taking out an insurance policy by developing leadership capacity able to handle the very complex, challenging issues we now face.”  Sarri Gilman, October 13, 2020