Leadership Pasadena Celebrates 2025 Cohort Graduation and Fire Recovery-Focused Projects

​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.