Leadership Salinas was founded in 1982 as a training program to involve more people in shaping the future of our community. In 1994, the Salinas Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced the expansion of the program and name change to Leadership Salinas Valley in order to extend the program's reach and allow others in our county to benefit from the leadership and skills training.
Today, several hundred participants have graduated from the program and are active leaders in Salinas and the surrounding areas. Alumni have held such elected positions as mayor and city council member and serve as board members for various schools, commissions, and organizations.
In addition to the leadership roles which graduates play in our community, many worthwhile projects have been undertaken as a result of Leadership Salinas Valley. A leadership training program for youth, downtown clean-up projects, the Kiddie Kapers Parade, and numerous fund raisers for local non-profit organizations have all been headed up by Leadership Salinas Valley alumni.