​On June 12, Leadership Pasadena celebrated the graduation of its 2025 cohort with a ceremony at the historic Maxwell House in Pasadena. Surrounded by alumni, local leaders, and community partners, the graduating class shared the results of six months of intensive work, culminating in a powerful showcase of community impact projects focused on fire recovery and resilience.

This year’s cohort directed its collective energy toward addressing the aftermath of the Eaton Fire and preparing for future emergencies. The graduates tackled real-world challenges through five team projects centered on:

• Mental Health – Assembling kits to support emotional well-being for those affected by the fires.
• Community Connections – Creating space for fire survivors to reflect on shared experiences and community history.
• Rebuilding – Promoting sustainable, fire-resistant rebuilding practices through shared resources and support.
• Adaptive Reuse – Exploring equitable and sustainable strategies to support long-term recovery.
• Communications – Enhancing emergency communications using both analog and data-driven methods to increase community safety.

These projects exemplify the program’s mission to develop effective, connected leaders who are equipped to respond to timely and complex local challenges.

The 2025 cohort represented a diverse range of sectors, including nonprofit, education, public service, health care, and business. Through Leadership Pasadena’s immersive curriculum, participants strengthened their understanding of civic systems while building meaningful, cross-sector relationships.
​
The graduation ceremony also served as a celebration of partnership, with special thanks extended to the City of Pasadena and numerous community organizations for their support of the program and its participants.

As our 2025 cohort nears the end of its journey, May brought both exciting momentum and moments of meaningful reflection. Participants made impressive progress on their community impact projects and came together for a Resilience session facilitated by Lisa Dadd. Centered on personal resilience, practical tools were offered for navigating stress and adversity, while also highlighting the importance of supporting one another along the way.

LP Alumni joined our 2025 participants for a powerful Governance Session featuring Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin, City Manager Miquel Marquez, and U.S. Representative Judy Chu. Each speaker shared candid perspectives on the challenges our community faces, especially in the wake of the Eaton Fire, and the vital role of principled leadership.

• Fire Chief Chad Augustin highlighted the heroism of firefighters, the successful cross-agency collaboration of firefighting departments, and the growing challenges we all face as wildfires intensify due to climate change.
  
• City Manager Miquel Marquez emphasized grounding leadership in integrity and core values, inspiring us to serve with purpose and accountability.
  
• U.S. Representative Judy Chu addressed the challenges of polarization, encouraging us to stand up for our beliefs and use our voices for positive change.

Our Arts session at Pasadena Media was a highlight as participants created fun, creative public service announcements celebrating Pasadena as “The Center of the Universe.” Mayor Gordo would be proud! The session was further enriched by a special performance by participant Danny Hesse and LP alum Jasiri Jenkins-Glen, whose music reminded us that each of us brings hidden talents to our community.

We were also honored to welcome Jaeda Snow, LP ’24 and current board member, in her role as Executive Assistant to the Senior Vice President for Advancement and External Relations and Governors Board Liaison at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Jaeda spoke with the group about The Huntington’s history and current initiatives, connecting the cohort to the institution’s rich legacy and ongoing community impact.

Special thanks to the following alumni, community leaders, and organizations for their invaluable support:

• City of Pasadena
• Pasadena Media
• Flintridge Center
• Bobbie Ferguson, LP ‘23
• Jaeda Snow, LP ‘24 & Board Member
• Jasiri Jenkins-Glen, LP ‘24

As we approach graduation, the cohort is energized and ready to make a lasting impact in our community.