Glimpses into the Dreams and Hopes of the Class of 2006
"Praise be to Leadership Eastside, for I have seen a vision of the promised land! It is a community of engaged citizens…" – Bruce Basset, Community Volunteer
"Being part of LE has opened my eyes to the most incredible resources we have - it's citizens. I have met the most amazing people…and their positive energy has infected me. It has me asking "Am I doing enough, can I do more?" – Stefanie Beighle, Community Volunteer
"The camaraderie created in the learning environment of LE has been invaluable in setting forth goals that influence true change in this vibrant region." – Laurene Burton, Director Governance and Community Service, Evergreen Healthcare
"I'm excited to build on the connections I've made through LE to combine forces that will make positive changes in order to maintain and build on a thriving community." – Jeni Craswell, Training Coordinator, Hitachi Consulting Services
"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to enhance my capabilities as a leader. In return for your support, my goal is to ignite the passion for service in the next generation of leaders just as LE did for me." – Carol Helland, Land Use Director, City of Bellevue
"The program has provided me the opportunity to engage in many ways, both within the smaller LE framework and with people in the broader community." – Kathy Hunter, Director of Operations, The Seattle Times
"LE has shown me that we can solve the different challenges that our communities face if we work together and focus on the things that we have in common." – Will Ibershof, Director of Growth and Development, Mass Mutual Financial Group
"If we cannot feed and house the sometimes invisible members of our community, how can we hope to address the more visible issues of traffic and education?" – Dan Leahy, President, Leadership Institute of Seattle LIOS
"I thought I should let you know I'm ready to make a commitment." (writing a love letter to the community) – Joe McIalwain, Executive Director, Edmonds Center for the Arts
"Mostly, thank you for investing your resources in the future of the Eastside through the development of our future leaders." – Jeff McMeekin, Municipal Construction Planner, Puget Sound Energy
"Opportunity. Growth. Appreciation. These three words represent to me my experience in the LE program as well as what I intend to give back to my community in the coming years." – Sandi Miller, Senior Financial Analyst, City of Kirkland
"I am an Eastsider through and through and I love my community! I have a passion to serve. Sign me up! – Trinity Parker, Government and Community Relations Specialist, Sound Transit
"If each individual were given the opportunity to engage in service they were passionate about, they would reach their individual potential and grow into a person that helps others in their community." – Scott Sadler, Eastside Executive Director, Greater Seattle YMCA
"My assumptions - I can make a difference in people's lives through my leadership, my life has a purpose, when I live my purpose, I can enjoy the journey." – Valarie Schmidt, Chief Financial Officer/Principal, BarclayDean
"I've learned that a true community is formed not through common geography or municipal boundaries but h through the heartfelt understanding that we need one another, that together we are healthier, stronger." – Patricia Lee Smith, Director New Ventures and Online Development, The Seattle Times
"And although it is more clear to me than ever that there are problems in the region that must be addressed if we are ever to thrive as a community, I have no doubt that the passion and the talents needed to redress these problems are here, existent in my peers in the inaugural class." – Elsa Steele, Assistant Managing Librarian II, King County Library System
"It's about raising your hand even if you are not called on." – Penny Sweet, Associate Director Delivery Systems Business, Group Health Cooperative