Developing Leaders for the Future of Our Community

The Chamber’s Leadership program is a premier academy that welcomes leaders at all levels and in all organizations in San Mateo County and equips them with the knowledge, tools and opportunities to evolve their skills to the next level in service of their community. Each class participates in ten diverse and dynamic day-long sessions with experts, decision-makers, practitioners, and funders across all spectrums of the business, government, not-for-profit and education sectors.

Through focused sessions on one Friday each month, spanning from September through June, participants learn about timely and relevant issues of vital concern to our region and explore how they can effectively shape the future of our community, their organization, or their business.

The broad portfolio of topics explored each year in the Leadership program grounds participants in the history, challenges and realities of topics. From government, education, housing, transportation, safety, healthcare and economic development, the Leadership program sparks ongoing conversations that lead to collaborations and network-building. This service-centric approach to lifting participants into community leadership roles is grounded in the Leadership program’s focus on exposing participants to varying viewpoints and alternatives about the session topics from experts, practitioners and decision-makers.

We invite those individuals seeking to challenge themselves by becoming more educated, exposed and involved in their community to apply for the 2025-2026 Leadership class, as participants will:

• Gain a broader understanding of their community and how it functions by interacting with influential community leaders.
• Acquire valuable information and access to resources, which will aid them in their professional work and civic engagement.
• Have the opportunity to join a network of more than 1,500 program graduates which will connect them and their work with professionals and leaders across all segments of San Mateo County.

Applications

The 2025-2026 Leadership Program is now accepting applications. Deadline to apply is by July 18, 2025.

For any questions/concerns, please contact Amy Buckmaster atamy@chambersmc.org.

Program Format: Sessions generally run between the timeframe of 9am – 4pm. A continental breakfast and lunch are provided each session. Classes are held one Friday of each month, September through June. Dates & topics are subject to change.

Tuition: Participants must have the support and commitment of their employer if not self employed.

Tuition for the Leadership Redwood City/Belmont/Menlo Park/San Carlos/San Mateo County program is $2,800.00 and is due by August 1, 2025. Credit card payment is accepted. Checks should be made out to Chamber San Mateo County. 

Other tuition funding sources, such as employer or sponsoring organization, may be utilized to pay for the participant’s tuition.

Attendance: Class members must not miss more than 2 classes to graduate from the program.

Refund Policy: Withdrawal from the program following confirmation to participate may result in forfeiture of tuition.