Peninsula Daily News News Sources
PORT ANGELES — Last year, on Sept. 25, the PEAK leadership program’s inaugural class convened in Neah Bay for its first session, the “Starting Point of Leadership.”
Last month, the 12 members of the class successfully completed their journey toward the program’s goals of “Purposeful, Effective, Authentic and the Keystone of quality leadership.”
The class, joined by family, friends and other well-wishers, marked the occasion with a graduation ceremony June 27 in the Clallam County Business Incubator offices at the Lincoln Center in Port Angeles.
The PEAK leadership program’s first year was a “resounding success,” said the program’s executive director, Danille Turissini, at the ceremonies — and she announced that up to 25 participants will be selected for the 2009-10 PEAK Leader Class II.
“The PEAK Leadership Program seeks out candidates who are experienced enough to have demonstrated leadership, who want to increase their personal and professional leadership capacity, who want to gain a deeper appreciation of others and the skills and dynamics of collaborative leadership,” said Turissini, who lives in Port Ludlow.
“Likewise, PEAK Leaders are equipped to serve as catalysts, capable of effectively preparing for and responding to today’s changing social, political, demographic and natural environments.
“The program accomplishes this through a series of once-a-month learning sessions held at different locations throughout the North Olympic Peninsula and beyond.”
According to Turissini, “the enhanced leadership skills acquired through participation in the PEAK Leadership Program benefits employers, businesses, governments, organizations and nearly every facet or our local and regional communities.”
The 2008-09 PEAK class studied experiences and perspectives offered by community representatives and residents of Neah Bay, Brinnon, Quilcene, Forks, Port Townsend, Sequim, the Jamestown S’Klallam tribal reservation, Seattle, Olympia and Port Angeles.
“By design, every class of PEAK leaders will have the benefit of learning from these and other communities as they develop meaningful positive relationships, understand the complexities of our communities, and learn how to unleash the innovative and creative energies needed for economic, environmental and sustainable growth,” said Turissini.
Applications for the 2009-2010 PEAK program are due by Monday, Aug. 3.
The 2009-2010 PEAK program will begin Sept. 30 and run for 10 months.
Representation from across Jefferson and Clallam counties will be sought, including the North Olympic Peninsula’s public, private, non-profit and community service groups.
Tuition for the 2009-2010 PEAK program is $1,000.
Some financial assistance may be available.
Applications and more information are available for download at http://peakleadershipnw.net, by e-mailing info@peakleader shipnw.net or by phoning 360-301-4134.
Qualified applicants will be interviewed by the PEAK Leadership Selection Committee, with final selections announced in late August.
The 2008-09 PEAK class was comprised of:
Jan Gannett, Sequim, WitZend Solutions.
Julie Hatch, Port Angeles, a KeyBank vice president and Port Angeles branch manager.
Becky McGinty, Port Angeles, owner of BSG Enterprises.
Bill LeMaster, Port Townsend, co-owner of Lehani’s Deli and a member of the Port Townsend Planning Commission.
Samantha Trone, Port Angeles, development review engineer for the city of Port Townsend.
Krista Francis, Port Angeles, director of student finance and enrollment at Peninsula College.
Alisha Merriman, Port Townsend, dispatcher for JeffCom 9-1-1.
Aaron Nygaard, Port Angeles, director of the Upward Bound program at Peninsula College.
Dale Holiday, Port Angeles, associate planner for Clallam County.
Greg Good, Port Angeles, executive director of North Olympic Land Trust.
Norm MacLeod, Port Townsend, owner of Gaelic Wolf Consulting.
Carla Meyer, Port Townsend, operations manager for Jefferson Transit.
