Join the Chamber’s long-standing civic immersion and leadership development program
For over 20 years, Leadership Portland has helped Rose City professionals learn how their city works and connect with key leaders in the community. Now is your chance to get involved with this great program.
The next Leadership Portland cohort starts in the Fall, but the application to join the class is open now through May 31, 2025.
Apply Now for Leadership Portland
Leadership Portland is made possible, in part, through the support of:
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 comradery is wonderful, and it has been a pleasure meeting so many talented and motivated leaders.
What is Leadership Portland?
Each year, Leadership Portland brings together a diverse group of professionals from a range of organizations and industries to connect, learn, and grow over a 10-month program. 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.
The goal: building connections within the class and inspiring the next generation of Portland’s leaders to engage deeply with the community.
Who should participate in Leadership Portland?
- Professionals from the private (big and small business), public, and non-profit sectors in all industries
- People looking to understand how their city works–from local government, to education, land use, public safety, and more
- Individuals with an interest in serving the community and an investment in the future of Portland
- Anyone interested in engaging in civil dialogue on Portland’s challenges, with perspectives from a variety of backgrounds and experiences
The details…
Program Requirements
- Participants must be a member of the Chamber for the full duration of the Leadership Portland program
- Participants must be able to meet the time requirements of the program
- A two-day retreat at Skamania Lodge (September 15-16, 2025)
- One program day a month (October 2025 – June 2026)
- Participants must agree to the Chamber’s Code of Conduct for Events and Programs
Application Materials
To complete the Leadership Portland application, you will need:
- To complete the online application form, available here.
- The following supplemental materials:
- professional bio
- resume
- headshot
- two letters of recommendation (one letter should be from your employer
Program Costs
Leadership Portland tuition for the 2025-2026 program year is $3,500.
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 this information on the application.)
