Develop Yourself. Shape Your Community. Leave a Legacy.
Leadership Carmel, a program of the Carmel Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is dedicated to developing and inspiring community-minded business and civic leaders.
Through a 9-month personal and professional development program, participants gain a behind-the-scenes understanding of regional issues impacting the economy, culminating in a collaborative community betterment project that drives meaningful change.
Interested in Joining the 2026-2027 Program?
Why Join Leadership Carmel
Leadership Carmel is an immersive 9-month leadership development program for emerging and current leaders who are passionate about growing their skills, building their network, and making a positive impact on the Carmel-by-the-Sea community.
You’ll graduate with lifelong connections, sharper leadership skills, and a deeper understanding of our community’s opportunities and challenges.
What You'll Gain
Professional and Personal Growth
- Strengthen your leadership skills, critical thinking, and ability to lead through change.
- Deepen your understanding of how emotions, beliefs, and behaviors impact leadership success.
- Recognize the difference between management and leadership and that leadership is not related to title, authority level and that anyone can lead from anywhere at any time.
- Recognize and more effectively respond to Leadership challenges and Leadership opportunities.
- Broaden and deepen thinking by adding critical mindsets.
- Deeper understanding of how reflection can be used to make more meaningful insights.
- Improve communications skills and how to design and conduct effective difficult conversations.
- Understand and leverage personal thinking preferences.
A Powerful Network
Build lasting relationships with fellow class members, alumni, and influential community leaders.
Gain access to an Alumni Association of engaged leaders who continue to support and collaborate beyond graduation.
Community Knowledge and Impact
Explore local and regional issues through first-hand conversations with decision-makers and innovators.
Identify ways to volunteer, advocate, and shape positive change in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
What Employers Gain
- A more effective, engaged, and innovative leader.
- A team member with deeper and more agile thinking, problem solving, and more effectively leveraging interdependencies.
- Expanded access to a trusted, local professional network.
- A small investment in an employee repays itself in long-lasting leadership growth, effectiveness, and higher trustworthiness.
- A workforce multiplier without hiring new people or sending them to expensive offsite courses or programs.
What Carmel-by-the-Sea Gains
Annual Class Legacy Projects that create lasting improvements for our community.
A growing network of engaged civic leaders, volunteers, and changemakers.
Innovative solutions to emerging community challenges.
Program Details
Program Dates
October 2026 – June 2027
Time Commitment
Two-Day Orientation Retreat: Friday and Saturday, October 9–10, 2026
Monthly Full-Day Sessions: One Friday each month, 9 AM – 5 PM (November through June)
Two-on-One Personal Coaching Meetings: Between monthly sessions
Two Public Meetings: Attend outside of class
Legacy Project Meetings: Additional time commitment outside of sessions
Graduation Ceremony: June 2027
Attendance at all sessions is required.
Program Format
Monthly Full-Day Sessions: Each session is divided into two parts — the morning focuses on leadership skills development in the classroom, and the afternoon features panels, tours, and discussions with community leaders about Carmel’s present and future.
Legacy Project: Collaborate with your class to select and complete a community improvement project.
Tuition Cost
General Tuition: $2,000
Carmel Chamber Member Tuition: $1,700
Tuition Payment Deadline: September 25, 2026
Scholarships: A limited number of partial scholarships are available. Request consideration in writing when you apply.
Tuition includes all program materials and the 2-day Orientation. Lunches and transportation are not included.
Who Should Apply?
Leadership Carmel is perfect for anyone who:
Seeks to develop and improve leadership skills and capacity
Desires to increase their role and influence in community affairs
Wants to expand their knowledge of Carmel-by-the-Sea
Hopes to build relationships with influential community members
Applicants are selected from diverse industries, backgrounds, and career stages, united by a passion for community engagement and leadership development.
How Do I Apply?
Application Deadline: August 14, 2026
Tuition Payment Deadline: September 25, 2026
Steps to Apply
Complete the Leadership Carmel Application (2026-2027).
Schedule and complete an interview with the Program Directors, a Carmel Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board Member, and Alumni Representatives.
Submit all materials by mail, email, or hand-delivery to:
Contact
Jeanne Frew, Co-Director, Leadership Carmel
25565 Boots Road, Monterey, CA 93940
jeanne@carmelleadership.org
(831) 236-1223 (call or text)
Program Mission
The mission of Leadership Carmel is to empower emerging and established leaders by building leadership capacity, inspiring civic engagement, and cultivating a deeper understanding of our unique community.
Through leadership development, community immersion, and collaborative legacy projects, Leadership Carmel shapes leaders who think critically, act ethically, and serve boldly.
