Lead Where it Matters Most

The Business Leadership Academy of Tacoma-Pierce County is an opportunity for current and emerging leaders to engage with the business community while developing leadership skills and interacting with exemplary leaders.

Founded in 1978, the Business Leadership Academy is a regional community leadership program that has graduated hundreds of alumni and benefits from the program's vast network for learning and connection.

We explore leader development, assess leadership strengths and weaknesses, learn from leaders who contribute to the vitality of our community, and visit organizations at the heart of our regional business community.

This program is made possible through a partnership between the Chamber and Pacific Lutheran University.

Secure your spot in the 2026 cohort!

Don't miss your chance to join this year's group of exemplary leaders.

​Applications are due Tuesday, September 1, 2026​.

APPLY NOW

Program Benefits

• ​​Learn leadership skills and build your personalized leader development plan
• Engage in assessments to learn your strengths and opportunities for growth
• ​Meet exemplary leaders who impact our business community
• Interact with other current and emerging leaders in the 2026 Business Leadership Academy class
• Tackle a Chamber of Commerce strategic initiative that benefits our community
• Increase your knowledge of the region, leaders, and decision-making processes
• Access a network of program alumni to guide individual, business, and community problem-solving
• Visit organizations that add to the vitality of our region
• Craft your own Call to Action for engaging as a leader in our community

2026 Agenda

September 10: Welcome Session
Overall program design, introductions, beginning to create a personalized leadership development plan, preparing to conduct a leader profile interview, and introduction to community project. Lunch included.

September 17: The Challenge of Leading
Leaders and leading in organizations. Learning to reflect on our strengths and opportunities for growth. Leading with heart and mind. Leading by example.

September 24: Site Visit
Downtown Tacoma Walking Tour. Visits to businesses and with leaders at the heart
of our community.

October 1: Visioning and Focus on the Future
How leaders lead the way in envisioning the future of the organization. Engaging others in exploring what could be and together establish inspiring, attainable visions. The critical importance of respecting and seeking after diverse perspectives.

October 8: Leading Change and Risk Taking
Seeking opportunities for change and appropriate risk taking. The leader as change agent recognizing people and process change issues. Harnessing resistance to change as an opportunity. Leading strategic communication conversations.

October 15: Site Visit
Economic Impact Exploration. Exploring leaders and organizations impacting the economy of our region.

October 22: Motivating and Lifting Others
Understanding what motivates, and creating the environment where others choose to be motivated. Effective team leadership. What followership really means and how it energizes at multiple levels. Respecting diversity. Encouraging the heart and building commitment. Understanding power and influence.

October 29: What Matters Most?
Focusing energies and building leadership skills for what matters most to us, our organizations, and our communities. The courage to lead in difficult times and circumstances. Civility as an essential leader responsibility.

​November 5-6: Retreat
Integrating our leadership learning and reflecting on next steps for our personalized leader development plan. Who am I? Who do I want to be? What’s next? What do I most want to influence and accomplish as a leader? Reporting on community project strategic initiative. The Leader’s Call to Action.

November 12: Celebration Luncheon

Quick Links

Alumni Directory

Contact Info

​Anna Terrano
Marketing, Communications & Government Affairs Coordinator

EMAIL Anna