Leadership Portland

Developing Portland’s business and civic leaders

Interested in finding out when applications for the 2026-2027 program year go live? Send Kat (kat@portlandmetrochamber.com) an email and ask to be added to the distribution list.

Empowering tomorrow’s leaders for Portland’s future

Leadership Portland is the Chamber’s long-standing civic engagement program, helping Portland professionals understand the institutions and critical issues impacting our region. Class cohorts participate in monthly program days, exploring different aspects of civic life in the Rose City: local and state government, public safety, land use, education, housing and infrastructure, arts and culture, and more. Programming includes topical deep-dives, panels, group discussions, site visits, and excursions, all aimed at deepening the cohort’s insight into Portland.

Leadership Portland is made possible, in part, through the support of:

Being part of the Portland Leadership cohort has been a phenomenal opportunity to connect with leaders who are truly passionate about Portland while gaining a behind-the-scenes look at how the City operates. This experience has been invaluable, and I’ve appreciated the chance to join this cohort, make connections, and apply what I’ve learned to my everyday work.

Carolyne Holcomb, Executive Director, Central Eastside Industrial Council (Class of 2025)

Why join Leadership Portland?

Civic Engagement

Gain access to Portland’s top experts and decision-makers to form an understanding of the inner workings of our city.

Community

Join an enthusiastic network of leaders, including past alumni, who can support each other in building a stronger Portland.

Conversation

Engage in dynamic discussions and grow your ability to connect with diverse viewpoints.

The Leadership Portland program is a dynamic mix of leadership development, civic engagement and networking. I have a much better understanding of our local challenges and a greater determination to work towards solving them together. The camaraderie is wonderful, and it has been a pleasure meeting so many talented and motivated leaders!

Sneha Thakkar, Senior Director, Strategic Implementation Office, Kaiser Permanente (Class of 2025)

Program Calendar

Program Application Open: May 2026
Applicant Interviews: June-July
Applicant Notifications: Mid-July
Leadership Portland Retreat (two days): Monday, August 31 – Tuesday, September 1, 2026 (at Skamania Lodge)
Monthly Program Days:
– Education: October
– Healthcare: November
– Arts & Culture: December
– Housing + Homelessness: January
– State Government: February
– Local Government: March
– Public Safety: April
– Economic Development: May
Class Graduation: June

Program Requirements

To participate in the Leadership Portland program, participants must meet all of the following requirements:

Participant or participant’s employer must be a member of the Chamber throughout the duration of the program.
Participant must agree to the time requirements of the program. Requirements include a two-day retreat and a monthly program day lasting from roughly 9am-5pm.
Organizations are encouraged to only nominate one candidate for the program, with two being the maximum number of candidates from any organization.

Program Costs

For the 2026-2027 program year, Leadership Portland tuition will be $3,750.

Tuition covers all costs related to the program, including the two-day off-site retreat, program day costs, and food.

The Portland Metro Chamber is able to offer a limited number of reduced tuition allocations to a small group of participants. Recipients can generally expect to receive a 25-50% discount on their program tuition. Small businesses, community service providers, and individuals from traditionally marginalized communities are prioritized for reduced tuition. (Individuals interested in reduced tuition can indicate so on the application.)

The education I received is incredibly important to me, both personally and professionally. I am also grateful for the relationships I’ve built with my classmates. I feel officially plugged in to this inclusively rad community.

Jake Krummel, Retail District Manager, iQ Credit Union (LP Class of 2023)

Leadership Portland Alumni Association

Over the past 20 years, more than 600 local professionals have experienced the Leadership Portland program. When you join Leadership Portland, you become a part of this dynamic, larger-than-life community of alumni. The Leadership Portland Alumni Association organizes ongoing networking and educational opportunities for current and former program participants.

Leadership Portland Alumni Association is led by a volunteer committee of former program participants.

Chair:
Jessica Bryant, Trust Officer, Columbia Trust Company

Staff Lead:
Kat Langley-Rokhlin, Director of Leadership Programming, Portland Metro Chamber

See all LP Alumni

Interested in Leadership Portland?

Ready to throw your hat in the ring? Contact Kat for more information.

Email Kat