Selections have been made for the Leadership Bend Class of 2025, a nonprofit civic engagement and leadership development program of the Bend Chamber. Leadership Bend exists to identify, develop, educate and connect diverse leaders who impact the Central Oregon region through committed service to the community.
Participants are chosen from a broad cross-section of candidates from around the region who must undergo a significant application process. These acknowledged and aspiring leaders share a commitment to active participation in shaping the future of Central Oregon.
There now are nearly 700 Leadership Bend alumni, many of whom serve as our community “trustees” through board service, elected office, volunteerism and more.
Leadership Bend Class of 2025
Taryn Amens — Saving Grace
McKenzie Boyd — Parametrix
Noah Brandt — Anthony’s Restaurant
Renee Brooke — City of Bend
Jamie Dyer — Central Oregon Radiology Consultants
Ryan Eckman — Mike’s Fence Center
Nick Gibson — Caldera
Amber Gomes — Koya Partners
Jen Hammond — Bend Chamber
Quinn Hanson — GA Rogers
Eric Heidebrecht — Morrison-Maierle
Cynthia Hunt — Volunteers in Medicine
Ian Isaacson — Bend Park and Recreation District
Hank Kamakaala — Lease Crutcher Lewis
Mellissa Kamanya — City of Bend
Theodore Krause — Lynch Murphy McLane LLP
Kimberly Liszka — Reveille & Retreat Project
Cory Loomis — Pence Contractors
Amy McCarthy-Smith — SĀJ Architects
Connor McCullough — McCullough Financial Group
Mary Murphy — Latino Community Association
Jenny Odom — Self-Employed
Mark Pedersen — Kirby Nagelhout Construction Co.
Todd Prior — U.S. Bank
Nicholas Sackos — Hennebery Eddy Architects
Steven Saunders — Cerity Partners
Sara Sherman — Brasada Ranch
Sarah Slaughter — Rosendin
Michelle Solley — St. Charles Foundation
Greg Watson — Simplicity by Hayden Homes
David Wilkerson — ORW Architecture
Amanda Windlinx — Connect Central Oregon
The Bend Chamber believes building leaders is necessary for community succession planning. As one of the fastest growing regions in Oregon and the Northwest, the issues have become increasingly complex, and the need for active leadership is great.
For the nine months of the program, participants will work with local leaders to expand awareness and understanding of the Central Oregon region. The class will explore historical and current issues firsthand and learn about the unique challenges and opportunities that cross sectors and silos. Additionally, the cohort will benefit from a series of servant leadership topics designed to enhance individual leadership skills and make an impact through a class capstone project.
The mission of the Bend Chamber is to create an environment where businesses, their employees and our community excel together through collaboration, advocacy, resources and leadership to meet Bend’s business challenges.
Leadership Bend is a 501(c)3 nonprofit program of the Bend Chamber and a community leadership development program. It is designed to identify, educate, train and connect willing and committed citizens to leadership roles in our community. There are now nearly 700 Leadership Bend alumni that now serve as our community “trustees” through board service, elected office, and more. Leadership Bend is supported by Taylor Northwest, St. Charles Health System, and like-minded businesses who believe that a healthy community comes from investment in leadership.
