Members of the Leadership Albuquerque class of 2026 have started their eight-month program with a retreat near the Sandia Mountains. The program, now in its 45th year, is designed to help professionals from different industries expand their influence within their organizations and the wider community. It aims to give participants a deeper understanding of issues that affect economic growth and quality of life in Albuquerque and New Mexico.
Jeremy Oswald, chair of Leadership Albuquerque from Citizen’s Bank, welcomed more than 40 participants at the orientation. He introduced vice chair Leean Kravitz from Fidelity Investments. Presentations during the orientation included remarks by Scott Darnell, director of Leadership Albuquerque; Michael Kocurek, certified behavioral life coach and vice president of sales for Atmosphere Commercial Interiors; and David Campbell, former Leadership ABQ Chair and former chief administrative officer for both Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.
On September 17, participants visited Diane Harrison Ogawa’s home. She recently retired as chief community partnerships and systems officer at Central New Mexico Community College.
During the retreat, Oswald outlined activities for the group:
Each would participate in two leadership workshops, each of them 90 minutes long – one in the morning, a second in the afternoon.
They would hear keynote presentations on leadership from two pillars of our community – Leean Kravitz (from Fidelity Investments and vice chair for Leadership Albuquerque) and former Albuquerque Mayor and longtime businessman Richard Berry.
They would learn which service project group they were assigned to and have a chance to discuss some of the expectations of those service projects. Each group was then able to go on a short hike together in the foothills to begin thinking about the kind of community project to present.
After lunch, Oswald introduced Berry who spoke about his experience in both public service and business. Oswald noted that before his public service career, Berry graduated from University of New Mexico’s Anderson School, competed as a UNM track athlete, and became an entrepreneur in construction.
Berry discussed his entry into business and what led him toward public service.
Kravitz announced that participants were divided into five small groups for their service projects.
“We want you to work on a problem or need that your group is collectively interested in,” Kravitz said. “We want you to be thoughtful, creative, and partnership-minded in your approach, where possible. How can your small group of civic and business professionals support the good work that others might be doing? And, we want you to be realistic about the time limitations of this project. Choose to do something that allows you to make a reasonable and important contribution over the next eight months.”
Past projects include financial literacy programming with Junior Achievement at a local high school; fundraising for therapy equipment at Gateway Center / Gibson Health Hub; collecting laundry supplies for Laundry Love with United Way; supporting legislative efforts for rural broadband expansion; running clothing drives for Locker#505; and landscaping work at Joy Junction homeless shelter.
Kravitz also gave a presentation titled “Everyone’s a Lobbyist.” The day concluded with remarks from Harrison Ogawa.
The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce expressed enthusiasm about this year’s cohort beginning their journey toward greater engagement as leaders.
