Leadership Bend Rebrand

Following a comprehensive process of stakeholder input, Lisa Nielsen, Bend Chamber Marketing Lead, developed a new brandmark for Leadership Bend, along with a complimentary logo for the newly formed Leadership Bend Alumni Association (LBAA).

Developed with an eye to alignment with the Bend Chamber’s brandmark, the Leadership Bend logo consists of three colored blocks, representing the process of building leadership capacity.  The LBAA logo brings those blocks together in a single image, reflective of the strong leadership foundation and interconnectivity of Leadership Bend graduates.

Leadership Bend Alumni Association – Inaugural Event

Nearly 60 Leadership Bend Alumni Association members gathered at 10 Barrel East for their first event of 2022. Following a welcome from Bend Mayor Sally Russell, City Manager Eric King and Councilor Melanie Kebler joined in to present an overview of Bend City Council’s goals and priorities. Alumni took the opportunity to ask questions around the city’s approach to supporting the unhoused, sustainable growth, and solutions to environmental pressures.

Instrumental in making this event possible were LBAA Co-chairs Jeff Kitchens (LB 2018) and Jody Saffert (LB 2021) along with Lauren Sternfeld (LB 2017), Maggie Kirby Weiland (LB 2015), Rachel Cardwell (LB 2019) and Travis Payne (LB 2018), along with many volunteers.

Formally founded in 2021, the LBAA is open to all Leadership Bend graduates. As Jeff Kitchens put it, “The Leadership Bend Alumni Association takes the Leadership Bend legacy and builds upon it to engage our alumni to make a positive impact to our community and all of Central Oregon.”

Leadership Bend alumni looking to get involved and stay up to date on future events can register for the LBAA online community here.

Leadership Bend – Building the Next Generation of Community Leaders

Investing in building future-ready leaders is necessary for effective community succession planning. As one of the fastest growing regions in Oregon and the northwest, the issues of Central Oregon have become increasingly broad and complex. Along with growth and rapid change comes and the need for well-informed and collaboration-focused leaders.

During an initial two-day orientation in early September, followed by nine full-day sessions scheduled once a month, participants work with local leaders to expand awareness and understanding of the Central Oregon region. Participants investigate historical and current issues firsthand and learn about the unique challenges and opportunities that cross sectors and silos. Additionally, the cohort benefits from a series of servant leadership topics designed to enhance individual leadership skills and together, make an impact through one or more class projects.

There are nearly 600 Leadership Bend alumni, many of them who support the region through board service, elected office, mentorship, volunteerism and more. In 2023, Leadership Bend will mark 30 years of developing and engaging regional leaders.

Applications for the next Leadership Bend cohort open up in early June, with class members selected by mid-July. For questions about Leadership Bend, or the Alumni Association, please reach out to Talena Barker at Talena@bendchamber.org.

Leadership Bend and the Alumni Association are made possible by the investment of Taylor NW and St. Charles Health System, with additional funding from Pacific Power and many other supporters.  To learn more about investing in local leadership, please contact Sponsor Relations Lead Jen Gordon at Jen@bendchamber.com.