Leadership Santa Fe

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Transforming motivated individuals into impactful community leaders through immersive training, networking, and civic engagement.

What We Do

Leadership Santa Fe is a successful and prestigious program designed for motivated individuals who wish to learn more about the challenges facing Santa Fe and engage in the process of improving the community. The program combines interactive leadership skills training with an informative civic awareness curriculum over eight weekends (Fridays and Saturdays) from September through April.

There are many benefits to joining the Leadership Santa Fe Class, including:
  • Personal interaction with the top leaders of the business, government, and non-profit community
  • Unique networking opportunities with your class peers and community leaders
  • High-level leadership management training with a premier leadership coach will enhance your effectiveness as a team leader and improve your management skills
  • Immersion into the key policy issues affecting the city of Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, and the state of New Mexico
  • Immediate induction into the “family” of Leadership Santa Fe alumni

Every year, Leadership Santa Fe invites speakers from our community to meet and address the class members. Those speakers have included:

  • Bridget Dixson
    President and CEO, Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce
    Leadership Santa Fe Graduate (2019)
  • Johanna Nelson
    Director, City of Santa Fe Office of Economic Development
  • Jesse Roach
    Director, City of Santa Fe Water
    Leadership Santa Fe Graduate (2023)
  • Melynn Schuyler
    Founder and Executive Director, YouthWorks
    Leadership Santa Fe Graduate (1999)
  • Marisol Atkins
    Primary Consultant, Luz del Sol, LLC
  • Amanda Bregel
    Communications Coordinator, The Food Depot
    Leadership Santa Fe Graduate (2023)
  • Kim Brown
    CEO, Girls Inc.
    Leadership Santa Fe Graduate (2015)
  • Madonna Hernandez
    Program Manager, Girls Inc.
    Leadership Santa Fe Graduate (2017)
  • J.D. Bullington
    Principal, JD Bullington Government Relations
  • Senator Peter Wirth
    New Mexico Senate Majority Leader
  • Representative Reena Szczepanski
    New Mexico House of Representatives
  • Representative Tara Lujan
    New Mexico House of Representatives
  • Alan Webber
    Mayor, City of Santa Fe
  • Jamie Cassutt
    Councilor, City of Santa Fe
  • Justin S. Greene
    Commissioner, Santa Fe County
    Leadership Santa Fe Graduate (2016)
  • Jerry Jones
    President and CEO, Anchorum Health Foundation
  • Brian J. Moya
    Fire Chief, City of Santa Fe
  • John Adams
    Hospital Chief Executive, Presbyterian Santa Fe Medical Center
  • Veronica Toledo
    Community Development Organizing Director, Homewise
  • Johanna Gilligan
    Chief External Affairs Officer, Homewise
  • Greg Shaffer
    County Manager, Santa Fe County
  • Lillian Montoya
    President and CEO, CHRISTUS St. Vincent
  • Paul Joye
    Police Chief, City of Santa Fe
    Leadership Santa Fe Graduate (2020)

We pride ourselves on our ability to attract leading members of the Santa Fe community as keynote speakers for our program. Their time and skill are a great asset to our classes.

Program Testimonials

“When I asked my leadership to sponsor me for the Leadership Santa Fe program, I hoped it would help me understand my community and prepare me for future leadership roles. From the very first session, I realized my expectations were far too low. Each week pushed me to grow as a leader while offering a behind-the-scenes look at how local government, nonprofits, and businesses come together to strengthen Santa Fe. I had the chance to connect with inspiring leaders and like-minded professionals, all while participating in exercises that challenged my self-awareness and leadership style. To anyone considering this program: prepare to have your mindset reshaped. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of your community and your place within it. Thank you, Leadership Santa Fe, for helping me grow.”

– Patrick Rhoderick, Director of Service Excellence & Volunteer Services CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center

“Leadership Santa Fe helped me see my hometown in a whole new light. As a fourth-generation Santa Fean, I thought I knew this city, but this program revealed its hidden challenges, its incredible changemakers, and the countless ways I can contribute. I walked away not only with a deeper understanding of Santa Fe but also with a network of remarkable people I can now tap for advice, collaboration, and support. The team-building experiences, the honest conversations, and the inspiring speakers pushed me to reflect on how I lead and how I show up for others. Most importantly, it helped me reconnect with my city and rediscover my purpose.”

– Kelli Barela, Marketing Manager, State Employees Credit Union

“Leadership Santa Fe was a really rewarding experience for me. I learned so much about the community I call home, including many of the complex challenges Santa Fe is facing, and the work going on behind the scenes to address the challenges. I was also surrounded by a group of like minded and thoughtful individuals that were interested to growing in their work and in the ways that they can give back to the community. I would recommend it to anyone interested in growing both personally and professionally in the Santa Fe leadership community.”

– Meredith Jones, Head of Visitor Experience
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

Applications are CLOSED for the 2025-2026 Program.

Applications open again from January 1st through May 31st, 2026. Applicants who apply will be notified of their successful candidacy by June 15, 2026.

Class of 2026 Session Dates

Session Dates

Session I

  • Friday, September 12, 2025 — Economic Development
  • Saturday, September 13, 2025 — Opening Retreat
    8:30 am–3:30 pm (FULL DAY) — Mandatory Attendance

Session II

  • Friday, October 10, 2025 — Water / Leadership Skills
  • Saturday, October 11, 2025 — Water / Leadership Skills

Session III

  • Friday, November 14, 2025 — Housing / Leadership Skills
  • Saturday, November 15, 2025 — Housing / Leadership Skills

Holiday Party

  • Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 5:00–7:30 pm

Session IV

  • Friday, December 5, 2025 — Youth & Education / Leadership Skills
  • Saturday, December 6, 2025 — Youth & Education / Leadership Skills

Session V

  • Friday, January 9, 2026 — Non-Profits / Leadership Skills
  • Saturday, January 10, 2026 — Non-Profits / Leadership Skills

Session VI

  • Friday, February 6, 2026 — Government, 8:30 am–3:30 pm (FULL DAY)
  • Saturday, February 7, 2026 — Leadership Skills

Session VII

  • Friday, March 6, 2026 — Health & Public Safety / Leadership Skills
  • Saturday, March 7, 2026 — Health & Public Safety / Leadership Skills

Session VIII

  • Friday, April 10, 2026 — Health & Public Safety
  • Saturday, April 11, 2026 — Final Retreat
    8:30 am–3:30 pm (Full Day) — Mandatory Attendance

Graduation

  • Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 5:30–8:30 pm

*Session dates are subject to change

Please note, that attendance is expected at all sessions.  We recognize emergencies and illnesses occur.  These will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Absences must be excused in consultation with the program director.

Civic Topics:
  • Leaderships Skills 
  • Economic Development
  • Water
  • Housing
  • Youth & Education
  • Non-Profits
  • Government
  • Health & Public Safety

All sessions are two consecutive days; Friday and Saturday on one weekend out of the month.

Are you a Santa Fe Chamber member or do you want to discover the benefits of membership?

See the application for tuition rates, which includes discounts for Chamber Members, as well as tuition and membership packages.

 

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