SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — The Tahoe Chamber proudly celebrates the graduation of the 2025–2026 Leadership Lake Tahoe cohort on Thursday, June 11, 2026, recognizing a dedicated group of emerging and established leaders who have spent the past year strengthening their leadership skills, building lasting relationships, and making meaningful contributions to the South Shore community.

For more than two decades, Leadership Lake Tahoe has served as the region’s premier leadership development program, bringing together professionals from diverse industries to deepen their understanding of the community while cultivating the skills, connections, and experiences necessary to lead effectively. Through monthly sessions focused on topics such as local government, education, public safety, business, health care, environmental stewardship, and nonprofit organizations, participants gain valuable insight into the issues shaping the Tahoe region while developing their capacity to lead within their organizations and the community.

A cornerstone of the program is the capstone project, which provides participants the opportunity to apply their leadership skills to initiatives that address community needs. The 2025–2026 cohort focused on two impactful projects that will continue to benefit the South Shore long after graduation.

The first project supported the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California and its DáɁaw Center, a community gathering space designed to reconnect Washoe youth, families, and elders to their ancestral homeland while preserving cultural traditions and strengthening community connections. Throughout the year, cohort members worked alongside Tribal leaders to increase awareness of the Center, build relationships between the Tribe and local businesses, launch fundraising efforts, and create opportunities for long-term community partnership. Their efforts helped generate financial support, expand community engagement, and foster a deeper understanding of Washoe history, culture, and stewardship throughout the Tahoe Basin.

The cohort’s second project focused on supporting Tahoe Career Launch (TCL), a workforce development initiative that helps high school and college students explore career opportunities through networking, mentorship, job shadowing, externships, and internships. Working to strengthen Tahoe’s future workforce, the cohort promoted opportunities for local businesses and professionals to engage with students, helping connect young talent with meaningful career experiences while encouraging long-term investment in the region’s workforce pipeline.

While the projects created tangible benefits for the community, the experience also transformed the participants themselves. Throughout the program, cohort members balanced demanding careers, family responsibilities, and volunteer commitments while learning firsthand the realities of leadership. Participants reflected that some of their greatest growth came through navigating competing priorities, communicating through challenges, leveraging one another’s strengths, and building trust through honest dialogue. The experience reinforced that leadership is not defined by title or position, but by collaboration, adaptability, accountability, and a willingness to support others.

Among the cohort’s key takeaways were the importance of effective communication, goal setting, setting clear expectations, following through on commitments, and creating opportunities for others to contribute and succeed. Participants also emphasized the value of understanding team strengths early, building authentic relationships, and remaining flexible when plans evolve. These lessons will continue to influence how graduates lead within their organizations and contribute to the broader community.

“Leadership Lake Tahoe is about more than professional development, it is about cultivating leaders who are committed to making a positive difference in our community,” said Jessica Grime, CEO of the Tahoe Chamber. “This year’s cohort demonstrated that commitment through two meaningful projects that strengthened community connections, supported future generations, and created lasting impact. Their dedication, collaboration, and growth throughout the program exemplify the spirit of leadership that helps our community thrive.”

The Tahoe Chamber congratulates the 2025–2026 Leadership Lake Tahoe graduates and thanks them for their commitment to strengthening the South Shore through service, collaboration, and leadership.

Leadership Lake Tahoe is offered every other year, bringing together a new cohort of community leaders to learn, grow, and serve alongside one another. The next Leadership Lake Tahoe class will begin in the fall of 2028.

The Tahoe Chamber extends its sincere appreciation to Leadership Lake Tahoe’s presenting sponsor, Advance, for its continued investment in developing future community leaders. Special thanks are also extended to Tahoe Bagel Co. for generously donating

coffee for each Leadership Lake Tahoe class session throughout the 2025–2026 program year, helping create a welcoming environment for participants as they learned, connected, and grew together.