Leadership Northwest
A Northwest Chamber Program
Leadership Northwest is a program developed by The Northwest Chamber and coordinated with an Advisory Board of graduates of the program. Since its inception in the early 1990’s, more than 120 people have participated in the program. Leadership Northwest helps participants learn about the cultural, social and economic forces that impact business and the community and encourages its graduates to get involved
One of the primary goals of the program is to inform, motivate and better prepare its graduates to then take on leadership roles in service to the community. From September to May, the Leadership Class attends monthly sessions focusing on education, public safety, economic development, health care, government and non-profit organizations to gain an awareness of the challenges and opportunities that exist in this community, as well as to discuss and develop potential solutions.
Each Leadership Class creates a special service project in service to the community. Last year’s class remodeled a shelter room for the Oklahoma City YWCA’s Domestic Violence Shelter. The shelter is a temporary safe haven for women and children escaping dangerous situations and provides encouragement and hope towards a transition to a positive future.
A graduation celebration is held each year in May upon completion of the program to recognize and honor the graduates of the year’s Leadership Class.
Members of the 2011 Class of Leadership Northwest:
Denton Blevins – Francis Tuttle Technology Center - Organizational Development
Janet Lee Connel – First Bethany Bank & Trust -Senior Vice President & Cashier
Mike Crandall - Sandler Training Oklahoma – Owner
Marcia Doom - First Bethany Bank & Trust - Associate Vice President
David Gordon - Vatterott College – OKC Campus Director
Lynn Johnson - Putnam City Schools – Hilldale Elementary Principal
Mary Jones - Southern Nazarene University – Provost
Michelle Keylon - Francis Tuttle Technology Center – Asst. Superintendent of Instruction
Kathy Larsen - Bethany City Council
Jill McCartney - Northwest Chamber – President/CEO
Ted Withrow - State Farm Insurance – Owner/Agent
Leadership Northwest Class of 2009
Lillian Brejda – Juice Plus+
Randy Dunn – Presort First Class
Glenn Gee – Tan N Go
Jeffery Groves – Coppermark Bank
Gary Mercer – Mercer-Adams Funeral Service
Janet Oden – Putnam City Academy
Charlie Phillips – County Clerk’s Office
Valarie Shed - Remax Preferred
Cathy Wandel – The Northwest Chamber
Leadership Northwest Class of 2009 at the graduation ceremony held in May at A Spot for Tea featuring guest speaker, Janet Peery from YWCA.
