What is Community Leadership?

The Community Leadership program is a skills-based program focused on developing leadership skills and exploring ways those skills can be used to support and strengthen communities.

Now in its 20th year, Community Leadership is a partnership between Rural Development Initiatives and Sherwood Trust.

The community leadership program is for anyone over the age of 18 who wants to get stuff done in their community. Participants discover personal strengths, uncover community assets, frame and advocate ideas, initiate and sustain action. Participants include 25-30 people ranging from emerging to seasoned leaders. You are the ideal community leadership program participant if:
• you want to get more involved and make a difference.
• you are interested in playing a bigger role in your community.
• you want to feel more connected to your community and the positive work happening here.
• you want to strengthen your team, your organization and the impact of your work.
• you are an experienced leader and want to coordinate your work and are preparing to pass the baton to a new leader.

Rural Development Initiatives (RDI) strengthens rural people, places, and economies in the Pacific Northwest. RDI provides on-the-ground leadership development and adaptive technical assistance as communities imagine new possibilities, face new challenges and diversify their economies.

Sherwood Trust is a private, placed-based foundation that supports capacity-building to ensure that everyone in the Walla Walla Valley has a sense of belonging and contributes to a thriving region. Founded in 1991 to continue the legacy of Donald and Virginia Sherwood’s efforts to make the Walla Walla Valley a better place, it has invested more than $35 million to strengthen nonprofits and improve communities here.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP ALUMNI AND PROJECTS

2022

Class Members: Annette Greiner, Beth Valiant, Brittany Riley, Catalina Garza, Dave Dahlin, Elionay Quiros Meneses, Heather Nygaard, Maryelizabeth Garcia, Michael Beeson, Ryan Westman, Tara Lewis, Tim Sanchez

RDI: Christian Vazquez-Rivera, Christine Gilmore, Heidi Khokhar, Jess Black, Jessie Katon

The 2022 Milton-Freewater Leadership Class created chalkboard signs for people to share their art with the community.

2020

Class Members: Alayna Brinton, Alicia Western, Amy Watkins, Ana Aguilar, Anastasia Curtis, Angie Peters, April Martinez, Candi Walmsley, Catalina Garza, Chris Hyland, Christian Moreno, Cia Cortinas, Daniel Solis, Dewann Bach, Eiledon McClellan, Elisha Pritchett, Elizabeth Chamberlain, Gavin Osegueda, Groover Snell, Jacqueline Lonning, Jamie Van Wormer, Jim Pearson, Karen Carman, Katelyn Reseck, Laura Dixson, Linda Scott, Lucia Ramirez, Lynda Oosterhuis, Madison Richardson, Magnus Frederickson, Maria Garcia, Mary Kennedy, Matthew Nelson, Michael Woolson, Nadine Stecklein, Rey Cooley, Rhonda Gould, Shelly Rasmussen, Steve Lenz, Tamara Paul, Toluwanim Oyefeso

RDI: Becky Waggoner-Schwartz, Christian Velasquez-Rivera, Heidi Khokhar, Jessie Katon

The 2020 Community Leadership Class attended and hosted trainings on diversity, equity and inclusion for class members and area public library staff. The class also purchased and distributed books by authors and featuring stories from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Books were distributed throughout the community at the small free libraries as well as through the Rural Library District weekly book giveaways at College Place Farmer’s Market.

2019

Alexander Alvarez-Ortiz, Allison Carney, Becky Waggoner-Schwartz, Brandy Pettit, Brian Hunt, Catherine Veninga, Claire Evans, Clenesha Montgomery-Hurst, Crystal Mindus, Emily Holden, Erendira Cruz, Erin Hutchison, Frankie Garcia, Gustavo Reyna, Kara Breymeyer, Keren Hallowell, Kim Munk, Lafe Bissell, Lindsay Engh, Maria Remington, Marisol Becerra, Meagan Bailey, Melanie Eshbaugh, Merridy Smith, Miguel Perez, Mikki Jones, Noah Leavitt, Norman Thiel, Patrick Craddock, Preston Frederickson, Robert Duke, Rodney Outlaw, Seandalynn Faleagafulu, Shawniene Bingham, TJ Espinoza, Ursula Volwiler, Yamile Gutierrez-Bernal.

After a pandemic pause, the 2019 class is building a pocket park in College Place on 12th Avenue, near SonBridge Community Center. Read more about the project in the Walla Walla Union Bulletin Perseverance Parklet.

2018

Alexandra Fitzgerald, Brittany Suchodolski, Caleb Agee, Cami McKeown, Deborah Penner-Fortner, Dylan Knowles, Elise Severe, Emma Philbrook, Greg Kettner, Heidi Wilson, Jordan Dunn-Small, Jose Vital, Juniper Kerr, Kahla Harrington, Leanna Yenney, Louise Bourassa, Melissa Bryan, Renee Hadley, Richard Hinds, Swan Eaton, Tom House, Valerie Kerr, Vicki Jackson, Vicki Zoller.

The 2018 cohort hosted a community celebration, the Touchet Valley Spark in the Park. To see pictures of the event, visit their Facebook page.

2017

Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer, Ana Alcala-Rodriguez, Amber Larsen, Nikki Sharp, Brenden Koch, Buthiana Hassan, Sandy Flores, Jose Luis Beleche, Jennifer Lemma, Joshua Wisner, Jill da Silva, Kathryn Witherington, Lisa Ponce, Leann Griffin, MerriAnne Huber, Michael Taylor, Renee Harms, Marcos Medina, Ruben Hernandez, Kimberly Rolfe, Rosanna Lugo, Sierra Knutson, Genie Crowe, Tamara Fritze, Tobit Salazar, Veaney Martinez, Michelle O'Connor, Yazmin Bahena, Amanda Trejo-Perez, Joaquin Avalos

The 2017 cohort organized “Diversity is Lit,” an education summit for high schoolers and the adults that support them to explore how diversity makes our society stronger.

2016

Alex Aikens-Helford, Bradley Beckner, Ana Bueno-Salazar, Kyle Chiasson, Katie Christianson, Kain Evans, Kathy Farrell-Guizar, Abbee Flint, Joanie Fullen, Allyn Griffin, Delia Gutierrez, Bruce Hallowell, Megan McGavock, Liz Morin, Tom Osborn, Monica Ramirez, Sandra Ratliff, Sarah Reilly, Melissa Santana, Erica Walter, Jessalyn Waring, Ron Williams, Kris Youd

The 2016 cohort supported the launch of Youth N Action by marketing and developing a #YOUTHTHINK program for local students, ages 14-17.

2015

Daegan Acevedo, Glenna Awbrey, Jim Baker, Jennifer Beckmeyer, Rick Brown, Jennifer Casper, Kerstin Fenton, Dan Guzman, Pete Hickerson, Nicholas Holce, Randy Hallowell, Atziri Jimenez, Merrikay Locati, Jeff Matthias, Sergio Pena, Jim Robles, Tracy Thompson, Jenna Watts

The 2015 cohort built Walla Walla Free Little Libraries to support literacy and community.  You can learn more about the project on their website.

2014

Elaina Avery, Maggi Banderas, Kelsey Beckmeyer, Douglas Carlsen, Bertha Clayton, Barb Commare, Jessica Cook, Arnulfo Espana, Elizabeth Hernandez, Colby Kuschatka, Casey Moller, Carla Nibler, Lindsey Oldridge, Shelby Paulsen, Helen Powell, Brenda Putnam, Luis Rosales, Katherine Schaffer, Keith Swanson, Luke Waggoner, Bobi Womack Goodson

In collaboration with the City of Walla Walla’s Park & Recreation Department and the local softball club, the 2014 cohort project added new playground equipment to enhance the experience of families using the playing fields at the Mill Creek Sports Plex on Tausick Way in Walla Walla.

2013

Matt Banderas, Antonio Barbosa, JoAnn Collins, Jessica DeLa Rosa, Kristina Duncan, Roger Esparza, Ruben Garcia, Dean Halter, Denise Kammers, Charlie Kuich, Jennifer Maxon, Mindy Meyer, Ryan Munsey, Mary Neal, Deborah Peters, Joshua Powell, Donald Priest, Annett Ridenour, Denise Shives, Carina Stillman, Tom Stokes, Adrian Tello, Leah Wilson-Velasco

In collaboration with Noon Rotary of W.W., the City Park & Recreation Department, and Commitment to Community, the class project is to provide added amenities designed to improve and enhance the users' experiences at the Fountains for Youth splash pad at Washington Park.  With input from neighborhood residents, the amenities included shaded seating and picnic areas in a creative blending with educational elements.

2012

Andrea Burkhart,  Louis Hammock, Brian Hatley, Brooke Herman, Holly Howard, Tiffany Jenes, Sharon Longmire, Rebecca Morse, Trevor Moses, Christopher Neal, Sonja Pipek, Angela Potts, Chris Price, Tom Reilly, Annett Ridenour, Kristina Savelesky, Carlos Virgen

In collaboration with the Walla Walla Housing Authority, Commitment to Community, and Blue Mountain Action Council, the class helped renovate the Housing Authority's gymnasium, which is used as a neighborhood gathering place for youth and families in the Washington Park area.  The class was active in community outreach to engage residents to support the project as well as help complete a mural on the exterior of the gymnasium.

2011

Debi Allessio, Jenna Bicknell, Brianne Bridgeland, Justin Buley, Christina Connerly, Augusta Farnum, Yesenia Guevara, Susan How, Linnea Keatts, Terry Kirkpatrick, Meaghan Lambert, Diane Madison, Alisha Marshall, Samantha Morales, Alyssa Morena, Maria Platner, Nancy Ramstedt, Alex Rodighiero, Vince Ruzicka III, Damien Sinnott, Dick Swenson, Bonnie Szuch, Joshua Van Donge

Restored a portion of Garrison Creek just east of Myra Road in Fort Walla Walla Park.  The stream restoration project replaced invasive species with native plants and included a living classroom/interpretive walking path along Garrison Creek.  It was a collaborative project with Kooskooskie Commons serving as project sponsor.

2010

Conrado Cavazos, Jovanna Centre, Christine Daudt, Jane DeWitte, Barbara Fryhling, Wendy Gonzalez, Sandra Graham, Ted Koehler, Julia Leavitt, Lupe Mares, Shane McCauley, Lina Menard, Daryl Pearson, Jose Quijano, Julie Reese, Vicki Ruley, Lucy Sandoval, David Walk

Installed an interactive water structure in the form of an arched mister in collaboration with the City Parks & Recreation Department at the Mill Creek Sports Plex on Tausick Way in Walla Walla.

2009

Amy Anderson, Samantha Bowen, Annie Capestany, Kayla Chitwood, Lee Coleman, Shauna Delay, Herschel Fullerton, Lili Hungerford, Carlos Jaques, Gabe Joseph, Janice King, Tim Melia, Daniel Rose, Anne Schulz, Christina Stamper, Becky Stanley, Mindy Stevens, Barbara Stubblefield, Katrina Suckow, Cassandra Teal, Gary Wass

Designed, renovated, and furnished an Early Childhood Learning Center to be used by the community in collaboration with the Senior Citizens Center at the Center at the Park in Jefferson Park.

2008

Sara Archer, Lisa Bonsall, Bridget Copler, Michael Davidson, Karl Eckhardt, Matt Eppelsheimer, Bill Eyestone, Nereida Garcia, Viola Hernandez, Becky Hopwood, Beth Luxton, Lindell McWhorter, Jaqueline Monyak, Lance Rea, Efrain Reyes, Mariela Rosas, Barbara Rutzer, Thomas Shaver, Amber Teichroeb, Deana York

Selected the design, purchased, and installed public art in the form of wind sculptures near the Early Childhood and Education Center at the Walla Walla Community College and in Lion's Park in College Place.

2007

Joey August, Fernando Avina, Jr., Jessica Baser, Larry Brown, Jennifer Castro, Laura Dobbins, Armando Escareno,  Mike Gobel, Louis Gonzales, Shaun Gordon, Tim Hall, Gretchen Hormel-Tomkins, Marci Knauft, Adan Longoria, Jr., Gary Lunden, Sarah Michelson, Doug Morton, Anabel Muro, Tami Olmstead, Teresa Sinclair

Designed, purchased, and installed an educational model of our solar system in the form of a Planet Walk consisting of the sun and eight planets to scale between Fort Walla Walla Museum, the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center, and Blue Ridge Elementary School.

2006

Ben Brink, Max Carrera, America Carrion, Joe Denny, Regina Eilertson, Roger Esparza, Esteban Florian, Linda Kastning, Gina Laib, Shane Laib, Jerry Martinez, Christine Mascarenas, Kate Morrison, Chris Owen, Kariann Savelesky, Cynthia Selde, J.R. Van Slyke, Brian Walker, Heidi Wells, Marie Wister

Designed, purchased, and helped install children's playground equipment in collaboration with the City Parks & Recreation Department in Washington Park in Walla Walla.

Fall 2005

Anita Baker, Brian Black, Skip Carpenter, Jessica Coffey, Patty Eng, Kevin House, Marchand Hovrud, Deanne Johnson, Candy Jones, Mandi Konen, John Laib, Libby McCaw, Shellie McLeod, Chelsea Miller, Rosy Nechodom, Tanya Patton, Sarah Paul, Cleome Rowe, Susan Skeeters, Becky Stevenson, Ann Strode

Designed and constructed a Touchet Valley Unity Wall in the form of public art and highway signage along Highways 124 and 12 connecting Prescott, Waitsburg, and Dayton, Washington.

Spring 2005

Sandy Alinares, Alfredo Avalos, Teri Barila, Doug Barram, Mark Baugher, Erika Boettcher, Amanda Brown, Chalese Calhoon, Victor Chacon, Yasmeen Colis, Nicholas Croghan, Federico Diaz, Debbie Dumont, Erika Gonzales, Dianne Hufford, Vince Jimenez, Stan Ledington, John Lohrman, Brian Maguire, Coleen Rehn, Kirsten Schober, Anne-Marie Schwerin, R. Randall Son, Sandy Trentham, Jill Zagelow

Designed and constructed a Children's Art Wall and re-surfaced an outdoor basketball court in Washington Park in Walla Walla.

Fall 2004

David Abajian, Punkey Adams, Toni Alvarado-Jackson, Mary Campbell, Julie Elmenhurst, Yolanda Esquivel, Evelyn Flores, Lindsey Frallic, Joshua Gonzales, Kip Kelly, Rory McClellan, Janet Narum, Amy Osterman, Juan Pedrosa, Lia Prins, Taffy Remington, Michael Reyes, Jennifer Ross, Carla Schettler, Kevin Scribner, Margaret Smart, Beth Thiel, Quinn Tomlin, Rick Tuttle, Karen Wolf, Taylor Wolf

Designed, purchased, and helped install children's playground equipment for the community playground at the Farm Labor Homes in Walla Walla County.