Business & Tech
Leadership Palo Alto Wants to Bring Out the Leader in You
A local program that brings experts and mentors to teach leadership skills to Palo Altans is currently accepting applications
What makes someone a good leader? Work ethic? Confidence? Good public speaking skills? You can learn all of these things and more at Leadership Palo Alto, a program currently accepting applicants that is designed to teach potential leaders the skills they need to help them succeed.
“Leadership Palo Alto is a leadership development program for emerging leaders in Palo Alto,” Lisa Van Dusen, a co-director of Leadership Palo Alto, said. “We’re in the business of discovering, developing and delivering leaders into the community.”
The 10-session class brings guest speakers in as mentors and teachers to teach and interact with the program participants. Last year, guests included Stanford’s Vice President of Public Affairs David Demarest, California economist Stephen Levy and leadership expert Barry Posner. In addition to teaching the participants, the program also provides time to interact and network with the accomplished mentors, as well as with the other “students.”
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“You’ll meet and get to know well a group of people who made the same decision to engage and go to the next level but you’ll also get a chance to engage with the presenters,” Van Dusen said.
This year’s program, which is nearing it’s end, included 13 participants from all fields and backgrounds. Next year, Van Dusen would like to see the program grow to around 20 participants.
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“We want people that are ready and willing to stick their neck out and lead,” Van Dusen said. “I think it takes people who have courage, either are or can learn to be persuasive, and who have some amount of vision and willingness to go after it.”
Gina Dalma participated in this year’s Leadership Palo Alto.
"Imagine having the time to learn about your community and how to have a positive impact, she said. “Now, imagine learning this from the best. That is Leadership Palo Alto."
Those interested should fill out a short application, which can be found here, by July 6. For additional information, including program dates, requirements and cost, visit this website or call 650-324-3121.
