Leadership Northern Colorado to graduate 2026 class

FORT COLLINS — Leadership Northern Colorado, a six-month regional leadership program, will celebrate its 16th class Tuesday, June 23.

Leadership Northern Colorado alumni, community members and the public are invited to celebrate the class and learn more about effective leadership during a graduation breakfast. The celebration will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Windsong Event Center, 2901 Saddler Blvd. in Severance.

The event will feature keynote speaker Dr. Erika Michalski, who will present Bubbles, Broccoli and Being Yourself: A Prescription for Effective Leadership.

“The most effective leaders make a strategic mindset shift from ‘Who do I want to be like?’ to ‘What meaningful impact am I uniquely positioned to make?'” Ann Hutchison, president and CEO of the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, said in a written statement. “Leadership Northern Colorado is designed to help leaders better understand this region, their role in it and the impact they are uniquely positioned to make. We are proud to celebrate this year’s class and the work they have put into strengthening their leadership and regional perspective.”

Michalski’s keynote will explore how authentic leadership can elevate a leader’s capacity for impact. Her presentation will offer practical strategies for leaders ready to move more boldly and authentically, with purposeful passion rather than performative presence.

Sponsored by Elevations Credit Union and EPS Group, the graduation event offers alumni and community members an opportunity to reconnect with the program while helping raise funds for scholarships for future Leadership Northern Colorado participants. Registration is $30 and includes breakfast, the keynote presentation and the graduation celebration for the Leadership Northern Colorado Class of 2026. Registration is available at www.FortCollinsChamber.com.

Leadership Northern Colorado is a joint initiative of the Fort Collins, Greeley and Loveland chambers of commerce, the NoCo Foundation and the Weld Community Foundation. The program is designed to build human capacity and to identify, define and address the issues facing the Northern Colorado region. 

The 2026 class ran from January through June and will conclude June 23 with a final class session and graduation celebration for its 32 participants.

2026 Leadership Northern Colorado graduates:

Chrissi Alvarado, Colorado State University; Janine Ledingham, Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development; Jaymi Anderson, Genesis Project of Northern Colorado; Meredith Logan, Ent Credit Union; Melissa Brewster, UCHealth; Karen McPherson Jackson, Estes Nonprofit Network; Trish Chapel, High Country Beverage; Samantha Preston, Hot Corner Concepts; Julie Constance, Brinkman Construction; Jessica Quintana, Poudre Valley REA; Jarrett Cosgrove, Double S Group | Keller Williams Realty; Sarah Roeder, Ignite Career Consultants; Ruth DeBoer, Weld Trust; Sosamma Samuel-Burnett, G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice; Joshua Dimond, NoCO Custom Homes; Brittany Schmeeckle, Weld Food Bank; Leigh Gibson, Platte River Power Authority; May Soricelli Albrecht, Town of Berthoud; Lucas Gillis, Strategic Retirement Partners; Alana Stiles, Tribe Development; Claire Havelda, Brownstein Hyatt Farber & Schreck LLP; Cassidy Stubblefield, Upstate Colorado Economic Development; Tim Hendricks, GH Phipps Construction Cos.; Serena Thomas, Homeward Alliance; Omar Herrera, Town of Windsor; Robert Thompson, City of Greeley; Teddy Hocum, Harmony Private Wealth; Ernan Torrez, United Way of Larimer County; Tiffany James, Fort Collins Board of Realtors; Patty Weible, Lone Tree Services LLC; Greg Kushner, Hausmann Construction; and Dawit Woldu, CP2 – Coan, Payton & Payne.

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