Leadership Pasadena Welcomes New Board Members Focused on Community Empowerment

Leadership Pasadena, a hands-on community leadership program and collaborative network, has announced the addition of seven new members to its Board of Directors for the 2024-2027 term. The organization, which focuses on developing effective leaders to drive positive change in the Pasadena area, welcomed individuals from various sectors last Thursday.

The new Board members include Roberto Alvarez, Assistant Deputy to Supervisor Kathryn Barger, and Carol Calandra, Interim Dean of Student Wellness and Support Services at Pasadena City College. Jeff Kean, Director at Bank of America, and James Ku, Chief Development Officer at Panda Restaurant Group, also joined the Board.

The other new appointees are Katerina Mesesan from the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Jaeda Snow from The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, and Mary Spellman of the Fletcher Jones Foundation. 

Each of these new members brings unique expertise to the organization’s mission, said Board Chair Louis Teran.

“We are excited to welcome these exceptional leaders to our Board,” Teran said. “Their diverse backgrounds and expertise will enhance our efforts to empower individuals in our community, promote civic engagement, and cultivate a new generation of leaders dedicated to making a difference in Pasadena.”

Leadership Pasadena aims to provide leadership training and development opportunities that inspire active, informed, and engaged citizens. The organization also focuses on connecting leaders for collaboration on civic and community projects benefiting the entire Pasadena area.

The program provides participants with 42 hours of personal leadership training, an offsite ropes course experience, and over 70 hours of community education and service learning. It emphasizes building connections with local business, government, and community decision-makers.

Leadership Pasadena’s curriculum addresses the need for empowered and connected community leaders to tackle local issues collaboratively. With its many civic, nonprofit, and community organizations and diverse communities, Pasadena has a great need for leaders to address concerns and issues together with respect, determination, and results.

The program immerses participants in Pasadena’s rich history, government, and world-renowned organizations and institutions. It creates leaders equipped to navigate Pasadena’s diverse landscape and numerous civic, nonprofit, and community organizations.

For more information, visit the Leadership Pasadena website, www.leadershippasadena.org.