The Mission of Leadership Burbank is to identify, educate, and motivate current and emerging leaders in Burbank to develop ideas and solutions that make Burbank a strong, sustainable and vibrant community.
Leadership Burbank is a community-based organization that offers leadership development programs including a nine-month leadership training program for people who live or work in Burbank. Through a hands-on curriculum, leaders and emerging leaders have the opportunity to enhance their personal and professional skills, gain a deeper understanding of community dynamics, and build a network of colleagues and associates throughout our city.
It is hoped that Leadership Burbank graduates will use the insights and contacts they develop through this program to enhance performance in their current endeavors and to enrich the community through civic engagement with local government, business, faith and/or charitable organizations.
Leadership Burbank also offers other leadership programs and mixers to support and connect our more than 600 alumni. In election years, Leadership Burbank has also hosted nonpartisan Candidate Forums for City Council and Burbank Unified School Board candidates.
Since 1995, Leadership Burbank has been serving the community of Burbank investing more than a million dollars in goods and services throughout the City.
All of our programs seek to build a better Burbank.
Serving as volunteers and fiduciaries of this small charity is our esteemed Board of Directors.
2025-2026 Board of Directors
Board Officers
Chair
Jessa Freemyer
Cusumano Real Estate Group
Class of 2007
Vice Chair
Cindy Yee Akuin
Burbank Public Library
Class of 2024
Treasurer
Jon Schafer
Schafer Electric
Secretary
Jamie Keyser-Thomas
Burbank Chamber of Commerce
Class of 2005
Board Members
Darrin Borders
Community Volunteer
Class of 2005
Alyssa Butler
Equity Union Real Estate
Class of 2025
Anita Hutchinson
UMe Credit Union
Stephanie Kandt
City of Burbank
Class of 2025
Joan McCarthy
Community Volunteer
Joan Marques, Ph.D., Ed.D.
Woodbury University
Oscar Macias, Ed.D.
Burbank Unified School District
Class of 2025
Courtney Padgett
City of Burbank
Class of 2020
Trena Pitchford
LACHSA Foundation
Class of 2013
Terry Walker
Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center
Class of 2005
Ian Waterhouse
Sunrise Rotarian of Burbank
Member Emeritus
Michael Walbrecht
Warner Bros. Discovery
Class of 1999
Legal Counsel
Ernie Burger
Attorney
Burger Law Group