Leadership Whatcom a Program of the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce

Leadership Whatcom

2025-2026 Applications Closed

The goal of Leadership Whatcom is to develop active leaders for Whatcom County.

Participants strengthen leadership skills, gain awareness of regional issues and build networks across Whatcom County’s many communities.

Leadership Whatcom alumni actively contribute to the region’s economic and cultural vitality.

Who will you meet in the 9-month program? Decision makers representing local businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, universities, schools, and community residents 18 years of age or older are eligible to participate in this 9-month community-based leadership program.

Leadership Whatcom participants meet one Friday a month for a full day session using an in-person classroom platform. Team learning activities to learn about Whatcom County’s many communities. You’ll be introduced to a variety of leadership approaches from guest experts; learn practical skills for leading teams of all sizes, and apply concepts and tools to local community issues with the help of LW alum.

Program Objectives

  • Work together on tough issues, even those that can be polarizing or divisive

    • LW trains participants to work with conflict productively and find common ground.

  • Involve multiple stakeholders and perspectives to create lasting solutions 

    • LW provides rich experiences working in diverse groups of all sizes. Participants develop action-oriented skills and strategies for promoting dialogue in mixed groups.  

  • Work with complexity, issues are never as simple as they seem  

    • LW encourages a nonpartisan look at tough issues. Participants use situational analysis tools to examine complexity and assumptions that may stand in the way of creative solutions. 

  • Leverage community assets and work with unlikely partners  

    • LW promotes an assets-based approach. Participants expand networks, perspectives and ways of working with them. 

  • Recognize that we can accomplish more together than we can alone  

    • LW trains participants in action-oriented, team leadership skills; participants apply in the community.