History of Leadership Palm Beach County
For more than four decades, Leadership Palm Beach County has been shaping the future of the region by developing, connecting, and inspiring leaders across all sectors.
1983
Leadership Palm Beach County is initiated as a local affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce by a joint task force of local chambers, including Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, North Palm Beach, and Palm Beach Gardens. The organization was founded with a bold vision: to cultivate a diverse network of informed and engaged professionals committed to making a lasting impact on Palm Beach County.
1985
A defining moment came when Leadership PBC class members played a pivotal role in establishing the Children's Services Council (CSC) of Palm Beach County. Inspired by a program presentation, they advocated for a dedicated funding source to support children and families. Their efforts led to the creation of the second such council in Florida, providing essential resources to ensure children are born healthy, protected from abuse, ready for school, and have access to quality after-school programs.
1989
Leadership PBC launched "Youth Leadership Day," where high school juniors explored county government, media, and education. This event evolved into the Youth Leadership program. Now named Leadership Grow, the program continues to inspire future generations of community leaders.
1990's
This time brought further innovation with the introduction of the Leadership Focus program, offering a condensed, immersive experience for executives to quickly understand the county.
2000's
Leadership PBC embraced technology by launching its first website to engage members. The Class of 2004 introduced "Songwriters in the Round," a signature fundraising event blending live music with community support.
In 2005, Leadership PBC hired its first Executive Director, Krista Springer Basore, and established the Annual Leadership Excellence Award to honor alums who embody the organization's core values. The inaugural award was presented to Don Chester (Class of 1986).
Amid concerns over local political corruption, Leadership PBC alums spearheaded a community-wide ethics initiative, creating the Palm Beach County Ethics Pledge. Signed by over 100 elected officials, the pledge was a decisive step toward replacing the county's "Corruption County" image with a "Culture of Ethics," restoring public trust.
2014
Leadership PBC celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of empowering leaders and driving positive change. Supported by funds raised through "Songwriters in the Round," Leadership PBC provided over $50,000 in scholarships for its Youth Program graduates in 2015. That year, the Adult Program was renamed "Engage," and the Youth Program became "Grow." Then in 2016, Leadership PBC launched the Aspire Program, creating a pipeline to prepare future leaders for tomorrow's challenges.
2018
Leadership PBC hosted its inaugural "Breakthroughs: The Leadership Palm Beach County Summit," bringing together 300 leaders from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. The summit addressed pressing local issues, such as expanding internships, providing mental health training, and creating jobs for ex-offenders. This event reinforced Leadership PBC's commitment to collaborative problem-solving and community impact. That same year, Civic Engagement Projects were rebranded as "Engage Forward" to emphasize their focus on driving tangible change.
2020
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Leadership PBC adapted by offering virtual and hybrid sessions for the Engage Class of 2021, ensuring leadership development continued despite the challenges. The organization also launched the Leadership Equity & Diversity (LEAD) Committee to foster a more inclusive and equitable future. In 2022, Leadership PBC resumed in-person sessions and reimagined the Aspire program with enhanced educational components to better prepare future leaders.
2023
Leadership PBC proudly celebrated its 40th anniversary, a testament to its enduring legacy of shaping leaders and strengthening the Palm Beach County community.
Leadership PBC envisions a future where every leader is equipped to create positive, lasting change in their communities and beyond.
