LEADERSHIP EASTSIDE ANNOUNCES “LENi” AWARD WINNERS

Bellevue, WA (September 28, 2011) -- Leadership Eastside, a local organization known for bringing together leaders across the Eastside to address community issues, launches its 1st Annual Network Awards by rolling out the red carpet on Thursday, October 20. Five Eastside Leaders will be recognized for their work in the Greater Eastside Community at a black-tie optional gala at the The Harbor Club in Bellevue. Four of the five recipients of the “LENi,” or Leadership Eastside Network Inspiration Awards, have been selected from nominations submitted by the community. Awardees have demonstrated LE’s guiding values of Sustainability, Diversity, Vision and acting as a Catalyst for positive change. A fifth “Community’s Choice” award, chosen by Network members via a social network campaign, will be announced the night of the ceremony.

In announcing the LENi recipients, Leadership Eastside President James Whitfield said he was excited to honor both the award-winners and all those involved in the process of building a stronger Eastside community. "At its essence, Leadership Eastside was created to build a network of leaders with a shared passion for helping our community,” Whitfield said. “These LENi award winners are incredible representatives of the strength of our legacy and the promise of our future."

The four announced LENi recipients and their respective categories are:

• Doreen Marchione, Sustainability Award. Marchione is a founder of the Eastside community assistance organization Hopelink and was its CEO for 16 years. She also served eight years as Mayor of Redmond and is currently a Kirkland City Council member. Marchione also was a founding board member of Leadership Eastside (LE). According to event organizers, Marchione was chosen for her “indefatigable” efforts on behalf of Eastside residents, as well as her inclusive and empowering leadership style.
• Annalee Luhman, Catalyst Award. Luhman currently employed as the Learning and Leadership Manager with the Port of Seattle. She is a graduate of LE's predecessor, Advance Bellevue. She, too, was an original LE board member; additionally, Luhman served as a curriculum committee member. Among award nominees, Luhman was chosen for her efforts in being a catalyst in creating LE's innovative community leader development program.
• Pat Hughes, Diversity Award, is a senior affiliate with the Center for Ethical Leadership. Hughes was a member of the first class of Leadership Redmond, which later became Leadership Institute. She also served as that organization's first Executive Director. Hughes was nominated for her work in creating the Gracious Space Initiative, which gives a path for people of diversity to come together, find common ground and work toward a greater good in their communities.
• GLY Construction, Vision Award. GLY, one of the largest locally-owned general contracting firms in the region, receives the Vision award for its commitment to corporate giving. GLY has committed to donating at least two percent of its profits annually to charitable organizations. GLY has also been named one of the “Best Places to Work” by Seattle Met Magazine.

Leadership Eastside brings together leaders from more than two dozen East King County communities. Its stated mission is to “inform, equip, and connect our community’s greatest assets – its leaders – in order to meet our community’s greatest needs.” Leadership Eastside also offers the region's premier three-year leadership enrichment program to better equip future leaders. In addition, the organization serves to inform leaders through its State of the Eastside (SOTES) communications, and through the LE Network, connect them with like-minded, high-performance, passionate and visionary leaders to shape the Eastside.

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LE Chooses James Whitfield as second LE President

Leadership Eastside selects James Whitfield to be new president

Founding board member takes reigns of leadership program

Bellevue, WA (January 11, 2011) -- Leadership Eastside (LE) has selected James Whitfield of Kirkland to be the new chief executive for the Eastside’s premier leader development program, effective January 3, 2011.  Announcing the appointment, LE Board Chair Earl Bell said, “We are very excited to have someone with James’ experience in the community.  The breadth and depth of his leadership in for-profit, non-profit, government and faith-based organizations demonstrates his knowledge of and passion for the community and make him the ideal person to head LE as we move into the next phase of our development.”  

Whitfield has served on a number of non-profit boards, including the YMCA Eastside District, Seattle CityClub and Seattle Works, as well as being a founding board member of LE and co-chairing Children’s Institute for Learning Differences’ capital campaign feasibility study.   He was appointed by the White House in 2005 to be the Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and later as Deputy Directory for the agency’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.  Whitfield also was a Senior Officer for Community Relations with the Washington Health Foundation, technology consultant for Fox Industries, and licensed life and health insurance consultant for Kibble & Prentice. 

Said Whitfield: “I’m convinced that LE’s innovative Adaptive Leadership approach to leader development is the answer to the challenges we face in our communities.  I am incredibly proud to be part of equipping and connecting leaders to help the Eastside continue to be an extraordinary place to live, work and serve.”   

LE’s unique three-year program serves the greater Eastside region by helping participants who live or work on the Eastside to develop their skills and connections to make a difference in their local communities through leadership roles in business, volunteerism and public service. The organization has been a driving force in building community leaders since 2005 when LE evolved out of the former Leadership Institute and Advance Bellevue programs.  Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna, a co-founder of Advance Bellevue, said: "I've known James for many years and am excited to see him step into the role of president, as I know his skills will assure Leadership Eastside's success in the new decade."  State Representative Larry Springer (D-Kirkland) said: “James’ background and skills are just what LE needs to take its legacy of building strong, vital communities on the Eastside to the next level.  These times demand strong leaders and LE has found one in James.”

With more than 400 LE alumni, students and community partners that represent the entire east King County region, LE is making a significant impact on the Eastside.  More than 140 Eastside organizations are currently benefiting from LE members’ volunteerism serving on nonprofit boards, commissions and chambers and 16 program participants who are holding or sought public office.   LE is now taking applications for its sixth class, which begins this fall. 

Whitfield is an honors graduate in communication from the University of Iowa and a 2003 graduate of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Leadership Tomorrow program, where he also served on the curriculum committee.  Jan Levy, Executive Director of Leadership Tomorrow said: “James is a great choice for Leadership Eastside!  I look forward to working closely with him as we find new ways to collaborate.”

 Whitfield succeeds Stephanie Mapelli, who served as LE’s president for four years.

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ABOUT LEADERSHIP EASTSIDE: Leadership Eastside is an inclusive organization that promotes connections and develops and enriches leaders. It serves as a catalyst for communities to address important issues and meet the challenges of a diverse and dynamic region. Leadership Eastside envisions a diverse, vibrant region served by skilled leaders engaged in creating healthy and mutually supportive communities.

See Full Press Release Here

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Thirty Eastside community leaders make a three-year commitment to serve their community today by enrolling in Leadership Eastside’s Class of 2012.

Bellevue, WA – (August 13, 2009) Chad Cowan, Vice President DA Davidson and a member of the 2012 class sums up the expectations and dreams of many class members, stating "The reason I am so excited about being a member of the Class of 2012 is the opportunity to create a broad network of colleagues across the greater Eastside that would help provide a boost to my "can do" attitude. From idea generation to idea execution, being surrounded by a broad group of creative, intelligent individuals who care about their community will help provide inspiration to me as I think about ways to better my community. In turn, I am excited about the opportunity to inspire my classmates as well".