History and Background

Leadership Whidbey follows the model of numerous leadership programs in Washington State and across the country.

Community leadership development is not a novel idea!

In Washington State alone, there are 21 active leadership programs. Nationally, the Association of Leadership Programs was formed in 2012 to advance the effectiveness of community leadership programs and professionals across the U.S. and currently has 275 members.

Our leadership program on Whidbey Island began with discussions between colleagues and professional educators of Skagit Valley College (SVC) in 2017. The college, located in Mount Vernon and with satellite campuses in Oak Harbor, Friday Harbor, Anacortes, and Burlington, was instrumental in the start-up of Leadership Skagit and Leadership San Juan Islands. Once Whidbey Island leaders joined the discussion, a spirited local group joined with SVC to explore what a program here could look like. Early on, the decision was made that even though Camano Island is part of Island County, residents of Camano can more easily participate in Skagit or Snohomish County programs based on ease of geographical access.

In the 2018-19 fiscal year, Skagit Valley College provided in-kind support for faculty to assist with foundational program development and allocated dollars to include start-up funding for partially staffing Leadership Whidbey. This support from the college and founding community partners, along with a planning grant from the Goosefoot Community Fund in 2019, enabled Leadership Whidbey to begin active program planning.

The first Leadership Whidbey Program launched in January 2021. It is self-supporting, with the help of program partners, supporters, participant tuition, and volunteers. For information about the curriculum, our current partners, and ways to support Leadership Whidbey, please click on the ‘About Us’ drop-down menu.