The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce celebrated the completion of its Leadership Sandpoint program on July 14, recognizing 16 participants who spent months studying the inner workings of local institutions and developing skills to strengthen the community.
The graduating class—Elli Vahrenwald, Elizabeth Nelson, Alisha Kowalski, Rachel Seitz, Vanessa Velez, Tess Howell, Rebekah Little, Lacie Brundin-Jordan, Veronica Knowlton, Amy Page, Jennifer Steinbachs, Ali Baranski, Jayde Cordes, Bryce Egbert, Carrie LaGrace, and Jaime Martinez—completed a comprehensive curriculum spanning local government, education, healthcare, economic development, natural resources, nonprofit organizations, public safety, and civic engagement.
Community-Focused Program
Leadership Sandpoint is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of how their community operates while fostering connections among emerging leaders. The cohort undertook a fundraising initiative to support the Sandpoint Teen Center, demonstrating the practical application of their leadership training beyond the classroom.
Becki Dotson, Chamber Board Chair, emphasized the program’s core mission during the graduation ceremony. “Leadership is about service, connection, and the willingness to invest in the future of our community,” Dotson said.
The keynote address was delivered by Kate Mansur of the Sandpoint Teen Center, whose organization benefited from the class’s fundraising efforts. The Teen Center provides youth with programming and support services throughout the greater Sandpoint area.
Next Class Applications Open Soon
The Chamber is preparing to recruit the next cohort of community leaders. The 2027 class will accept 20 participants, expanding the program’s reach across Bonner County. Applications for the upcoming class will open on July 27, allowing interested individuals from Sandpoint, Ponderay, and surrounding areas to apply.
Prospective applicants can access the application and program details at www.sandpointchamber.org.
Leadership development programs like this one have become essential in small communities seeking to cultivate the next generation of civic participants and business leaders. By exposing participants to the breadth of institutions and challenges facing the region—from school district operations to environmental management—the program builds a more informed and engaged leadership pipeline.
Similar workforce and leadership development initiatives have gained prominence across Idaho. North Idaho College’s Career Technical Education programs, for instance, offer employment guarantees to graduates, reflecting the region’s broader commitment to preparing residents for meaningful roles in community and economic life.