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 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?
For More Information or to become involved in future programs, please click HERE
Why Join Leadership Carmel
Leadership Carmel is an immersive 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
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.
Would You Like More Information?
Interested in receiving updates about:
• Future class applications
• Program announcements
• Sponsorship opportunities
• Alumni engagement
• Community partnerships and events
Please click to complete the interest form and our team will keep you informed as new information becomes available.
We look forward to sharing what’s ahead for Leadership Carmel and continuing to invest in leaders who care deeply about the future of Carmel and the Monterey Peninsula.
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.
