Fostering Future Business Leaders at the 2024 Business Leadership Academy Graduation

On November 14, 2024, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber hosted a graduation luncheon for the 46th Business Leadership Academy (BLA). This cohort included 20 participants with diverse backgrounds from across the South Sound.
 
The BLA of Tacoma-Pierce County, sponsored by the Chamber and Pacific Lutheran University, is a regional community leadership program founded in 1978. BLA is an opportunity for current and emerging leaders to engage with the business community while developing leadership skills and interacting with exemplary leaders in the field.

Over the course of nine weeks BLA participants:

• Develop leadership skills and create personalized leader development plans
• Connect with exemplary leaders making a significant impact in our business community
• Collaborate with other current and emerging leaders in the 2024 Business Leadership Academy class
• Launch a community project designed to bring tangible benefits to the local area
• Gain deeper insights into the region, leaders, its leadership landscape, and key decision-making processes
• Visit organizations that add to the vitality of our region
• Craft their own Call to Action for engaging as a leader in our community

 
The Chamber and members of cohort 20 are especially grateful for the contributions and leadership of Dr. Catherine Pratt, Resident Assistant Professor, PLU School of Business. The majority of the participants, prompted by Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrea Reay, shared their appreciation for Dr. Pratt, their fellow cohort members, and additional leaders who helped shape the course of the program.
 
“This was impactful and appreciated. Thank you for your leadership and coordination, Catherine and Andrew.”
 
“Catherine was wonderful – great instructor; very supportive of us as a group and individually.”
 
“I have had the opportunity to be enrolled into a few different versions of a leadership academy. This is one of the more well-run courses, and the information shared in class to supplement the reading was great.”
 
“I am so thankful that I was able to be a part of this class. It has helped me to see the strengths that I didn’t see, as well as areas that I want to improve and learn more about.”
 
“This program has made me a better person.”

If you are interested in participating in the next Business Leadership Academy, please contact Andrew Parks, Technical Assistant & Program Coordinator.