Leadership ABQ
Leadership Albuquerque develops knowledgeable and engaged civic leaders. In its 43rd year, the program prepares professionals at all levels and from a variety of industries to expand their influence in their organizations and in our community. Throughout this ten-month course, each cohort of approximately 40 students gains a deep understanding of issues that impact the economic growth and quality of life in our city and state. They enjoy interactions with high-level community leaders, government officials, and industry experts and gain insight into the most important challenges we face.
Leadership ABQ is a 10-month program, running from September through June.
The program begins with an introduction to Leadership ABQ and becoming acquainted with the Greater ABQ Chamber of Commerce. Afterward, the class gathers monthly for curriculum days on various topics including, Public Safety, Education, Economic Development and Diversification, and Downtown Transformation. Throughout the program year, Leadership ABQ participants are assured the following benefits:
- ACCESS to top influencers and decision makers in our city and state
- Interesting and exciting EXPERIENCES
- KNOWLEDGE about the critical issues impacting economic growth and our quality of life
- Meaningful CONNECTIONS with other business and civic leaders in Albuquerque
- Opportunities for introspection and LEADERSHIP growth



Application guidelines for Leadership ABQ.
Instruction will begin in September and culminate with a one-day professional leadership retreat and graduation in June 2023. Participants will need to dedicate roughly one full day per month to the program. Although our programming for the 2021-2022 class was interrupted slightly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have since resumed with more in-person instruction and the class has had an opportunity to hear from truly top-notch presenters. Instruction for the 2022-2023 class will begin in an in-person format (Sept.), and conclude with an in-person leadership retreat and graduation in June of 2023. Tuition for Leadership ABQ participants is $2,925.00 for Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce Investors and $3,925.00 for non-Chamber investors.
Tuition covers meals, materials, fees for speaker bookings, and the graduation ceremony. Occasional parking fees are not included. Limited scholarship funds are available for Chamber Investors. These funds are primarily reserved for small business owners and officers at nonprofit organizations. Accepted applicants who must withdraw may receive a refund 75% of their tuition on or before November 1, 2022 and 50% refund before January 1, 2023. No refunds will be issued after January 1, 2023.
CLASS OF 2021-2022
Each Leadership ABQ class is comprised of a rich variety of dynamic participants, and their sponsoring company or organization.
Ashley Salazar
UNM School of Medicine
Chad McHargue
Chalmers Ford
Claudia Rhodus
Bank of Albuquerque
Deneca Chino
Ambercare-Home Health Care
Fabián Armijo
UNM Hospital
Jason Peters
PNM Resources
Joseph Sánchez
AARP New Mexico
Kristi Kidder
US Eagle
Laura Sánchez
PNM Resources
Leslie Padilla
PNM Resources
Mike McDuffie
Dekker/Perich/Sabatini
Noé Astorga-Corral
Sutin, Thayer & Browne
Robert Smith
New Mexico Gas Company
Sarah McChesney
Verdes Foundation
Thomas Cooper
Wells Fargo
Ashley Sterling
Esparza Digital Advertising
Christina Lounsbury
UNM Health Sciences Center
Claudia Sánchez
New Mexico Mutual
Dionne Miller
Presbyterian Healthcare Services
Gary Loy
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Jerry Matthews
Sunny505
Julie Taylor
Hotel Andaluz
Kristin Elder
Blue Cross Blue Shield NM
Lauren Kedge
Rodey Law
Marisa Sánchez
UNM Health Sciences Center
Misty Sanders
French Funerals & Cremations
Omni Warner
PNM Resources
Ryan Carmer
Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union
Shedeh Hale
True Health New Mexico
Trey LaFleur
Molina Healthcare of New Mexico
Brandon Carrasco
Unirac
Christina Ricci
CNM Community College
Delana Mannion
UNM Health Sciences Center
Eric Fuller
The United/Alberstons Market Family
Heather Bassett
Albuquerque Public Schools
José González
UNM Health Sciences Center
Kristi Dorr
Albuquerque Museum Foundation
Kyle Biederwolf
Comcast Corporation
Leanne DeLange
Directed Energy Directorate of Air Force Research Lab
Michael Teske
US Bank
Nicole Castillo
Western Sky Community Care
Ramón Martínez
Western Sky Community Care
Sarah Ganley
Bohannan Huston, Inc.
Steve Ulibarri
Excellent Schools New Mexico