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Support the development of diverse leaders in Whatcom County. Your tax-deductable donation will support scholarships for the 10-Month Community Leadership Program, and free civil dialogue training for community members. Click here to donate! 

Contact Us

Location: 1511 Cornwall Avenue Bellingham WA 98225

Phone: (360) 715-1061

Fax: (360) 733-8674

Email: Click here to email

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2297 Bellingham WA 98227

Leadership Whatcom's 10-Month Program Graduates

Graduates of LW's 10-Month Community Leadership Program come from rural and urban Whatcom County, and represent the diversity of viewpoints found in the business, nonprofit, government and education sectors. Click here to see this growing network of skillful leaders.

About Us

Our History

Leadership Whatcom's community-based approach arises from a long-standing commitment to working across organizations to accomplish what is good for Whatcom County.

 

Thanks to the efforts of individuals and organizations across Whatcom County the beginnings of Leadership Whatcom came into form. For over a decade, many local people talked about the importance of creating a leadership program for Whatcom County.  In 2003, the Whatcom Coalition for Healthy Communities reviewed studies of national, regional, and local programs to better understand the numerous benefits of leadership development and what type of leadership program would best meet the needs of Whatcom County, the Lummi Nation, and Nooksack Tribe communities. In the winter of 2004, the Coalition sponsored a series of work sessions to engage key stakeholders in examining the feasibility and design of a collaborative leadership program for Whatcom County. This diverse body of participants affirmed a strong interest in creating a local program, many stepping forward to develop the framework and launch Leadership Whatcom. Leadership Whatcom is proud of its community collaboration roots. Our first program began in September 2005 with 21 participants and continues today as a program of the Whatcom Coalition for Healthy Communities. 

"Healthy communities need to be nurtured. Leadership Whatcom is a way of strengthening our community at its core by investing in our human capital."

- Patricia Decker, Retired,
Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District

 Governance and Program Committees

As a community-based program, Leadership Whatcom draws on the insight and expertise of community leaders from across Whatcom County to design and oversee Leadership Whatcom's programs.

 

The Governance Committee brings a broad range of community perspectives to the program, maintains the program’s vision, mission, and values, develops and implements the program, models nonpartisan approaches, and ensures effective communication and collaboration with the Whatcom Coalition for Healthy Communities staff and board. The Program Committee brings expertise in community-based collaboration, leadership and team development, adult education, and nonpartisan community education. These volunteers asist in the development and delivery of Leadership Whatcom's 10 month program.

Whatcom Coalition for Healthy Communities
Leadership Whatcom is a program of the Whatcom Coalition for Healthy Communities and is coordinated by Mary Dumas, Dumas & Associates, Inc. and Elizabeth Jennings, Executive Director of the Coalition. The Mission of the Coalition is to collaborate with the community to define opportunities and facilitate action to improve the health of Whatcom County.

Leadership Whatcom Governance Committee Members
Kathy Berg, Birch Bay Steering Committee
Cindy Daily, WalMart Community Outreach
Clare Fogelson, City of Bellingham
Mine' Hakim, AIRS Frangrance
Mauri Ingram, Whatcom Community Foundation
Elizabeth Jennings, Whatcom Coalition for Healthy Communities
Steve Jilk, Public Utility District No.1
Carole MacDonald, The Inn at Mt. Baker
Chris McCartan, Whatcom/Bellingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Joy Monjure, City of Bellingham Public Works
Trula Nicholas, Professor, Human Services, WWU, LW2006
Dee West, Early Childhood Opportunities Northwest

Program Committee Members
Mary Dumas, Dumas & Associates, Inc.
Aimee Frazier, Environmental Educator
Susan Mancuso, Professor, Woodring College of Education, WWU, LW2007
Skip Williams, Retired, LW2007

Whatcom Coalition Board Members
*Ron Bauleke, Metcalf, Hodges & Co., PS
*Regina Delahunt, Whatcom County Health Department
Tim Douglas, Retired-Former Bellingham Mayor
Rafeeka Gafoor, Regional Business Serivces Manager, WorkSource Northwest
Mauri Ingram, Whatcom Community Foundation
Trula Nicholas, Professor, Human Services Department, WWU
Ken Oplinger, President/CEO Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce
*Chris Phillips, St. Joseph Hospital
Greg Stern, Whatcom County Health Officer
Linda Stewart, City of Bellingham
*Peter Theisen, United Way of Whatcom County
Cheryl Thornton, Cloud Mountain Farm/Nooksack School Board
Dee West, Early Childhood Opportunities Northwest

Ex-Officio Members
Dale Brandland, Washington State Senator, 42nd District, Ex-Officio
Bill Elfo, Whatcom County Sheriff, Ex-Officio
Dale Kinsley, Bellingham School District, Ex-Officio
Pete Kremen, Whatcom County Executive, Ex-Officio
Dan Pike, Mayor, City of Bellingham, Ex-Officio
Stephanie Salzman, Woodring College of Education, Ex-Officio

*Indicates Officers of the Board of Directors

Funders
The Whatcom Coalition for Healthy Communities is sponsored by the City of Bellingham, St. Joseph Hospital, United Way of Whatcom County, and Whatcom County. These organizational sponsors are joined by the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Whatcom Community Foundation, and WalMart in supporting Leadership Whatcom and its alumni programs.