Leadership Santa Fe

Apply

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.

Applications are OPEN for the 2025-2026 Program.

Download Application

Applications are taken from January 1st through May 31st, 2025. Applicants who apply will be notified of their successful candidacy by June 15, 2024. The class fills up quickly, apply early to avoid being put on our waiting list.

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.