Leadership West, an organization that develops, empowers and enhances exceptional leaders to advance commerce and quality of life in West Valley communities, recently revealed the members selected for its Class 31 meant to help forge the future. The group consists of 30 leaders from the West Valley who all have diverse backgrounds including business professionals, educators, nonprofit executives, entrepreneurs and even InBuckeye’s very own Erin Kuiper.
Kuiper and the rest of the class will participate in a nine-month program that provides them with opportunities to engage with and gain insights from business leaders as well as local and state officials. The program and these interactions will focus on addressing challenges West Valley communities will face as they grow and coming up with practical solutions.
“Leadership West aims to unite committed individuals to enhance their knowledge of the pressing issues and obstacles that our communities encounter and to empower them to contribute to their professions and local areas in the West Valley,” said Saravanan Bala, president of the Leadership West board. “Given that we are one of the fastest growing regions in the county, it is essential to have leaders who’re well informed and have the networks and support needed to bring about constructive transformations. Leadership West offers a base for people to channel their enthusiasm and guide them with a sense of direction and tools.”
Michelle Hess, Buckeye City Council member for District 3, emphasized that the West Valley is evolving quickly and there is a demand for leaders who care about their community and have the skillsets to affect change. Leadership West feels that it is essential to train and support leaders, like Kuiper, who understand what’s going on and are ready to set an example.
For more information about the current class or how to apply to future cohorts, visit here.
Complete list of Class 31
Peter Abercrombie – Luke Air Force Base
Nikki Bonnet – Arizona State University
Jamie Boyett – Cox Communications
Rebecca Burleigh – EPCOR, USA
Jonathan Evans – ACCEL
Kevin Dumcum – WESTMARC
Jacqueline Garcia – SRP
Ashley Gentry – The Jackrabbit House
Hon. Alexis Hermosillo – City of El Mirage
Christian Gunter – EPCOR, USA
Edwin Hernandez-Vargas – KORE Power
Tennille Hiller – City of Buckeye
Jessica Lewis – Progressive Roofing
Laura Jara – City of Goodyear
Grayling Jordan – City of Surprise
Monica Martinez – Arizona Council on Economic Education
Erin Kuiper – InBuckeye
Gloria Sanchez McDowell – Buckeye Elementary School District
Sharon Michael-Lightfoot – Avondale Elementary School District
Sarah Murillo – Murillo Law Firm, PLLC
April Morris – Hotwire Communications
Derek Newman – Merrill Lynch
Chance Raser – Haydon Companies
Delaney Russell – First Things First
Jason Shaffer – Luke Air Force Base
Todd Simpson- City of Surprise
Jessica Wellman – City of Hope
Hon. Max White – City of Avondale
Robert White – Cigna/West Valley Mavericks
Cliff Yoder – Benevilla
