Leadership Southwest is a program designed for community-minded individuals to learn about community issues and to help act on them.

Community resource people and newsmakers lead a stimulating, one full-day class session each month from September through May, on current topics relevant to Southwest Dallas County.

Leadership Southwest was started in 1985 with 23 participants. In its twenty three years of existence, over 800 community residents and business leaders have graduated through the program and a vast majority of those alumni serve on city councils, and sit on boards of local chambers, schools, hospitals, economic development, and planning and zoning committees as well as having sought service through elected offices.

Participants receive in-depth exposure to critical issues facing the community in which they live and work as well as instruction from high-profile community and business leaders on topics such as communication, education, law enforcement, the Arts, health and human services, government, economic development, transportation and quality of life. Participants are given the opportunity to meet leaders from the city, state and regional levels through guest speakers, discussion groups, and on-site visits. Emphasis days stress the following: Communication, Education, Justice/Law Enforcement, Government, Health & Human Services, the Arts, Economic Development, Transportation, and Quality of Life.

They are also concerned about community issues, interested in committing time and energy to community involvement, seeking personal growth opportunities, and who are concerned about the balanced and steady development of Southwest Dallas. All participants must live or work in Southwest Dallas.

The participants gain excellent instruction by high-profile community and business leaders; receive personal leadership skills training; increased awareness of community issues; and a networking source of other business leaders who share a common goal of growth in the southern sector. The community benefits from a pool of well-trained, energized and prepared citizens. Companies who sponsor participation of their staff members through the program benefit from an aware, knowledgeable and concerned work force.

Leadership Southwest is an effective approach to developing tomorrow's leaders and community volunteers and enabling participants and alumni of the program an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the future of Southwest Dallas County.

Leadership Southwest Class of 2010

Leadership Southwest has kicked off its 25th anniversary year with the Class of 2010 with the Orientation Session held September 9 at David's Seafood Grill in Cedar Hill; Keys to Leadership session held September 16 at the DeSoto Civic Center; and Economic Development Day 1 focusing on Cedar Hill and Oak held October 21 at Babe's Chicken Dinner House.

The 43 class participants are:  Gerald Andrews and Michael Johnson, Mountain View College; Jim boland, Sam's Distribution; Janie Bordner, Low Birthweight Development Center; Kasey Cheshier, Ben Franklin Apothecary; Sandra Dietz, Crescent Point Retirement Center; michaela Dollar, Cedar Hill Economic Development Corporation; Kaethryn Duncan and Jason Hale, Northwood University; Renee Edwards and Evelio Hernandez, Dallas Area Rapid Transit; Marie Elliott, United Healthcare; Tiffani Evans, AT&T: Amber Fussell, Mary Kay Cosmetics; Obie Greenleaf, Cedar Valley College Small Business Development Center; Amber Hatley, Chick fil-A; Errol Haylow, Haylow Insurance Group; Lyn Hill, City of Cedar hill; Marion Hill; Dallas Baptist University; Keith Humphrey, Lancaster Police Department; Davie Hunt, Access Storage; Gloria Jackson, Eastfield College; Ella Goode Johnson, The Heads Up! Foundation; Michelle Johnson, Dial One Plumbing; the Honorable Curt Krohn, DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees; DeNita lacking-Quinn, Sival Group; The Honorable Patricia Ledbetter, DeSoto City Council; Jackie Lee, City of Glenn Heights; Dr. Tasha Perry-Lindley, Methodist Family Health Center; Sonali Majmudar, Hampton Inn & Suites; Stephanie Neal, Cedar Hill Chamber; Wayne Nero, City of DeSoto Police Department; Coy Poitier, Poitier Productions; Amy Pritts, North Texas Food Bank; The Honorable Michael Quildon, Cedar Hill ISD Board of Trustees; Cesar Rea, Viewpoint Bank; Linda Ross, Alzheimer's Association; Helene Royal, Life Strategies Institute; Tawana Stallworth, DeSoto ISD; Brandy Taylor, MCM Grande; Shanna Treffinger, Cornerstone Credit Union; Liz Weaver, Keller Williams; and Christopher Wigley, Christopher's Cruises and Tours.