On Sept. 16, the 2025-26 participants of Leadership Albuquerque began the program year.
The eight-month program — now in its 45th year — prepares professionals at all levels and from a variety of industries to expand their influence in their organizations and in our community. The program helps by providing a better understanding of issues that impact the economic growth and quality of life in our city and state.
Leadership Albuquerque chair Jeremy Oswald, of Citizen’s Bank, welcomed the group of more than 40 and introduced Leadership Albuquerque vice chair Leean Kravitz, of Fidelity Investments.
The orientation day featured presentations by Scott Darnell, director of Leadership Albuquerque; Michael Kocurek, certified behavioral life coach with Better Life Communications and vice president of sales for Atmosphere Commercial Interiors; and David Campbell, former Leadership ABQ Chair and former chief administrative officer for the cities of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho — each highlighting what Leadership Albuquerque is all about.
On Sept. 17, Leadership Albuquerque participants traveled to the home of Diane Harrison Ogawa, who recently retired as the chief community partnerships and systems officer at Central New Mexico Community College.
Oswald told participants:
- Each would participate in two leadership workshops, each of them 90 minutes long – one in the morning, a second in the afternoon.
- They would hear keynote presentations on leadership from two pillars of our community – Leean Kravitz (from Fidelity Investments and vice chair for Leadership Albuquerque) and former Albuquerque Mayor and longtime businessman Richard Berry.
- They would learn which service project group they were assigned to and have a chance to discuss some of the expectations of those service projects. Each group was then able to go on a short hike together in the foothills to begin thinking about the kind of community project to present.
After lunch, Oswald introduced Berry, who spoke about his lessons from a lifetime of leadership in the public and private sectors.
Oswald said prior to his public service, Berry graduated from the University of New Mexico’s Anderson School, was a UNM track and field athlete, and became a highly successful entrepreneur in the construction industry.
Berry talked about how he got his start in business and what caused him to consider entering public service.
Kravitz then announced the service project groups — which were divided into five small groups.
“We want you to work on a problem or need that your group is collectively interested in,” Kravitz said. “We want you to be thoughtful, creative, and partnership-minded in your approach, where possible. How can your small group of civic and business professionals support the good work that others might be doing? And, we want you to be realistic about the time limitations of this project. Choose to do something that allows you to make a reasonable and important contribution over the next eight months.”
A few examples of previous Leadership Albuquerque projects include:
- Last year, one of our groups partnered with Junior Achievement to prepare for and carry out a day’s worth of financial literacy instruction and programming for a local high school.
- Another group from last year took on a fundraising challenge – to pay for physical and occupational therapy equipment for the new medical respite facility at the Gateway Center / Gibson Health Hub, which provides services and resources to the homeless.
- And another group raised money and collected a truckload of laundry supplies for an organization called “Laundry Love,” which is supported by United Way and provides free laundry services to families living in poverty.
- Three years ago, in partnership with PNM and a state senator, one group tried to get a bill passed in the Legislature that would have extended broadband service to rural communities across the state (related to rights-of-way).
- Another time, a group ran a clothing drive for Locker#505, which provides clothing to schoolchildren in need; they raised money for the cause in their individual companies/organizations and got each of their companies to allow them to run the clothing drive with their employees.
- And four years ago, the class did a major landscaping refresh and clean-up at the Joy Junction homeless shelter, an example of a project that wasn’t ongoing in nature, but a one-weekend burst of help.
Kravitz then gave another presentation called “Everyone’s a Lobbyist.”
The day was wrapped up by a presentation from Harrison Ogawa.
The Chamber is excited for this program year’s cohort of Leadership Albuquerque participants to begin their eight-month journey toward becoming even better, more engaged leaders!