02/05/2025
🌟 Leadership West Alumni Making an Impact! 🌟
We love seeing our alumni stepping up and making a difference in our communities! Congratulations to Dr. Jennifer Cruz (LW Class 23 ), Superintendent of Pendergast Elementary School District, who has been named the 2025 Glendale Chamber of Commerce Board Chair! 🎉👏
We’re also incredibly proud of Jamie Boyett (LW Class 31), of Cox Communications, for being elected to the Chamber’s Board of Directors! Jamie’s leadership and expertise will be an asset as the Chamber continues strengthening Glendale’s business community.
Congratulations to all! Your leadership is shaping the future of our region, and we couldn’t be more excited to see the impact you will make. 👏💼
02/03/2025
Are You in a Yes or No Season?
Many leaders have the privilege of being asked to say yes to various worthy opportunities. It’s an exciting place to be—one that often comes with seasons of change, promotions, or recognition. These moments open new doors, present fresh possibilities, and can be both exhilarating and rewarding.
But leadership also requires discernment. Sometimes, newfound clarity, passion, or priorities demand that we say no—not because the opportunities aren’t good, but because they no longer align with where we’re headed. Refining our focus gives us the strength to step away from commitments that once held our yes, allowing us to pursue what truly matters in this season.
Perhaps you find yourself in both places: eager to embrace new opportunities but realizing that doing so requires letting go of past commitments. Taking inventory of your goals for the year—where you want to go and what you want to achieve—can help you determine what belongs in your yes column and what needs to move to no for this season.
To gain clarity on whether you're in a yes or no season, take these three steps:
List Your Priorities – Write down your top goals for the year. What do you want to accomplish personally and professionally? What excites you or feels most aligned with your purpose?
Evaluate Your Commitments – Make an honest assessment of where your time, energy, and resources are currently going. Which commitments are still serving your mission? Which ones feel like obligations rather than opportunities?
Decide with Intention – Categorize your commitments into three lists:
Yes: What aligns with your current goals and deserves your time?
No: What no longer fits and needs to be released?
Maybe: What requires further reflection before making a decision?
By intentionally mapping out your priorities and commitments, you’ll gain clarity on what to embrace and what to let go of, ensuring that your time and energy are spent in ways that truly matter this season.
So, where are you? A yes season, a no season, or a bit of both?
01/31/2025
⛳ Alumni Spotlight: Tom Loegering ⛳
Leadership West Class 20 alumnus Tom Loegering is changing lives through his nonprofit, Golf Programs in School. By introducing students to golf, Tom fosters valuable life skills like focus, discipline, and teamwork—at no cost to families!
🏌️♂️ Program Highlights:
✅ Free golf lessons in schools
✅ Monthly events where families learn from experienced golf pros—for free!
✅ A mission to make golf accessible to everyone
Tom’s passion for giving back is an inspiration, proving that leadership is about creating opportunities for others. The next free Community Fun Day is Saturday, February 15th, from 9 am to 11 am at Sun City Country Club.
01/30/2025
🚨 West-X Leadership Summit 2025 🚨
🌟 Leaders of the West Valley, this is your call to action! Join us for a transformative event featuring an incredible lineup of speakers who will inspire and challenge you to lead with resilience and purpose.
🎙 Featured Speakers:
Dr. Pearlette Ramos – Lawyer, filmmaker, and world traveler, sharing insights on heart-centered leadership.
CMSgt Jason Shaffer – Luke Air Force Base, offering leadership in action.
Stan Holm – CEO of Banner Boswell & Banner Del Webb Medical Centers, speaking on self-awareness in leadership.
Nathan Cottrell, with KAEKO, Inc. and an E3 Africa board member, discusses leading with compassion.
💡 Topic: Leadership Through Resilience
📅 When: Thursday, February 27, 2025
🕚 Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Where: Hosted by Leadership West
✨ Connect with civic-minded leaders, gain actionable insights, and be inspired to lead with compassion and purpose.
🎥 Inspired by the documentary Three (Extra) Ordinary Women
🎟 Tickets: $85 General Admission | $65 Active Alumni
📌 Register now: Using the QR code
💪 Let’s reimagine leadership together. hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag
01/29/2025
Congratulations to Maria Brunner, class 24 alumna, on being appointed to the OCJ Kids board.
01/28/2025
🚀 Unlock the Secrets to Social Media Success! 📱✨
Join us this Thursday, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM, for a FREE Social Media Masterclass with the incredible Anna Gardner! 🌟
💡 In this value-packed session, you’ll learn:
📌 How to grow your audience
📌 The do’s and don’ts of engagement
📌 Strategies to amplify your brand
Whether you’re a small business owner, content creator, or just looking to up your social media game, this is your chance to gain expert insights from Anna Gardner, a proven leader in social media strategy.
📅 When: Thursday, 9 AM - 10:30 AM
📍 Where: 10550 W. Mariposa Community Center
💵 Cost: FREE!
✅ Spots are limited, so secure your spot today!
[email protected]
Don’t miss this opportunity to level up your social media skills! 🎯
01/24/2025
🎉📚 Happy International Day of Education! 🌍✨ Today, we celebrate the power of knowledge and learning! Let’s honor our teachers, embrace diverse cultures, and commit to a brighter future for all.
Join me in sharing your favorite book, teacher, or educational moment!
01/22/2025
🌟 Alumni Spotlight: Julie LaCroix 🌟
Leadership West Class 29 alumna Julie LaCroix is making waves in the West Valley! This past weekend, she hosted her 2nd Annual North Peoria Home Show at the Peoria Sports Complex, and the results were nothing short of incredible.
✨ Highlights:
✅ Attendance doubled from last year
✅ Over 150 vendors showcasing their services
✅ A premier event connecting businesses and families in the community
Julie’s vision and dedication are helping to spotlight the West Valley as a hub for innovation and connection. Let’s give her a big round of applause for this amazing achievement! 👏👏
01/21/2025
🚨 West-X Leadership Summit 2025 🚨
🌟 Leaders of the West Valley, this is your call to action! Join us for a transformative event featuring an incredible lineup of speakers who will inspire and challenge you to lead with resilience and purpose.
🎙 Featured Speakers:
Dr. Pearlette Ramos – Lawyer, filmmaker, and world traveler, sharing insights on heart-centered leadership.
CMSgt Jason Shaffer – Luke Air Force Base, offering leadership in action.
Stan Holm – CEO of Banner Boswell & Banner Del Webb Medical Centers, speaking on self-awareness in leadership.
Nathan Cottrell, with KAEKO, Inc. and an E3 Africa board member, discusses leading with compassion.
💡 Topic: Leadership Through Resilience
📅 When: Thursday, February 27, 2025
🕚 Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Where: Hosted by Leadership West
✨ Connect with civic-minded leaders, gain actionable insights, and be inspired to lead with compassion and purpose.
🎥 Inspired by the documentary: Three (Extra) Ordinary Women
🎟 Tickets: $85 General Admission | $65 Active Alumni
📌 Register now: Using the QR code or the following link: https://westxsummit2025.rsvpify.com
💪 Let’s reimagine leadership together.
01/20/2025
Honoring MLK Day
Today, we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a visionary leader who exemplified courage, compassion, and the unwavering belief in a better future. 🌟 His dedication to justice, equality, and servant leadership inspires us to lead with purpose and integrity.
At Leadership West, we reflect on his words: “Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'” Let this serve as a reminder to lead in ways that uplift our communities, foster collaboration, and create positive change.
Let’s carry his torch forward by championing leadership that serves and provides impact. 💡🤝
01/07/2025
🎉🌟 Big Congratulations to Leadership West Alumna Rachel Aja ! 🌟🎉
We are thrilled that Rachel, one of our incredible alumna, will be stepping into an exciting new role as Market Vice President in Kansas for Cox in 2025!
Rachel’s dedication to leadership, her community, and her industry continues to inspire us all. Her journey is a testament to the impact of strong, values-driven leadership, and we couldn’t be prouder of her achievements.
Join us in celebrating this well-deserved promotion and wishing her continued success as she embarks on this exciting next chapter! 🥂
01/06/2025
“The privilege of pressure.”
As we close the chapter on another year and look ahead to 2025, I’ve been reflecting on a phrase that resonated deeply with me during a recent event: “The privilege of pressure.” This concept struck a chord and has lingered in my thoughts ever since. Pressure is something I’ve carried for most of my life as a leader. Like a birthmark or a persistent ache, it’s always been there, an unacknowledged part of the journey. But hearing it described as a “privilege” gave me pause and sparked a deeper exploration.
Curious, I turned to good ol’ Google for a definition, and here’s what I found: “The privilege of pressure means that feeling pressure in a situation is actually a positive thing, signifying that you are being given an important opportunity or being trusted with a significant task, which not everyone gets to experience.”
Wow. What a perspective shift. How often do we focus on the deadlines, the friction, or even the pain of pressure, without ever pausing to appreciate the profound privilege it signifies? Pressure is a marker of trust. It’s evidence that we have been entrusted with people, projects, organizations, and communities of great significance. It is an acknowledgment of our capacity to steward these things well.
As we prepare to lead in the coming year, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect. What does the privilege of pressure mean in your life? What opportunities or responsibilities have you been entrusted with that signify this privilege? How can we, as leaders, shift our mindset to not just endure pressure but embrace it with gratitude?
This reflection isn’t about ignoring the real challenges or minimizing the stress that often comes with leadership. Instead, it’s about reframing our perspective. Pressure doesn’t just weigh us down—it shapes us, refines us, and, when embraced with the right mindset, elevates us. It reminds us that we are operating at a level where our leadership and decisions have meaningful impact.
As we enter 2025, let’s commit to taking inventory of the pressures in our lives. Let’s name them, reflect on their significance, and approach them with a sense of gratitude and responsibility. Ask yourself:
What opportunities am I being trusted with?
How can I grow from the challenges I face?
What strategies will help me steward these opportunities well?
Looking ahead, I’m excited about the possibilities. Let’s make space for gratitude in the midst of pressure and approach the new year with a renewed sense of purpose and privilege. Leadership isn’t easy, but it’s a remarkable gift to be able to make an impact in the lives of others. Let’s steward this gift with care and intentionality.
12/25/2024
🎄✨ Merry Christmas from Leadership West! ✨🎄
Wishing our alumni, partners, and supporters a season filled with joy, love, and gratitude. Thank you for inspiring leadership and connection in the West Valley.
Here’s to a bright new year ahead!
12/23/2024
We are thrilled to announce our next class of 31 members. Meet Rob White from Cigna and the West Valley Mavericks! Please join us in welcoming him to the LW journey of growth, collaboration, and service to our community.
12/23/2024
We are thrilled to announce our next class of 31 members. Meet Cliff Yoder from Benevilla! Please join us in welcoming him to the LW journey of growth, collaboration, and service to our community.
12/23/2024
🎅✨ Leadership lessons from the North Pole! ✨🎅
Santa isn’t just a jolly guy in a red suit – he’s a positive leader we can all learn from!
✅ Spreads laughter and cheer (Ho, Ho, Ho!)
✅ Encourages his team (Reindeer, unite!)
✅ Rewards nice behavior 🎁
✅ Says NO to negativity (Sorry, naughty list!)
✅ Empowers his elves to shine ✨
✅ Stays humble AND hungry (Pass the cookies 🍪)
✅ Inspires us all to BELIEVE ❤️
What’s your favorite leadership quality on this list? Drop it below! 👇 Let’s keep spreading positivity this holiday season!
12/20/2024
🎄🤔 Ugly Sweater Season is Here! 🤔🎄
We want to know—are you Team Ugly Sweater or Team No Thanks, Not My Style? 🎅✨
Drop a 🎉 if you’re rocking the festive vibes or a ❄️ if you’re keeping it classic this holiday season! Bonus points for sharing pics of your favorite holiday looks!
12/19/2024
We are thrilled to announce our next class of 31 members. Meet Councilmember Max White from the City of Avondale! Please join us in welcoming her to the LW journey of growth, collaboration, and service to our community.