Thirteen Tigard-area professionals earned their certificates from the Tigard Area Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Tigard program on July 24 at a graduation ceremony held at Broadway Rose Theatre Company, according to the Chamber's announcement.

The nine-month program wrapped with a group project that put hygiene supplies into local shelters.

The cohort's community impact project, called "Feeling Fresh is Fundamental," collected hygiene items and raised $8,000 for local shelters and families in need, according to the program's social media page.

The effort brought together local businesses, nonprofits, and community volunteers to stock hygiene closets at area shelters.

Graduate Rebecca Hathaway, an employee of the City of Tigard, said the program's value went beyond the curriculum. "You spend months learning alongside people who care deeply about this community, and those connections don't end at graduation," Hathaway said in the Chamber's graduation announcement. "They become resources, collaborators, advocates, and friends."

The 2025-26 graduates are Brad Dillingham, Jeanette Shaw, Karen Lewis, Katie Cook-Popenuk, Luis "Savi" Rivera, Malaina Kinne, Nick Long, Rebecca Hathaway, Sabrina Hiatt, Samuel Monsivais, Shannon Huggins, Terra Wheeler, and Trisha Ausbie.

Kinne was separately named Volunteer of the Year at the 52nd Annual Tigard Shining Stars Community Awards Gala in May 2026.

During the program year, the cohort toured Unitus Community Credit Union, Washington Square Mall, and the Clean Water Services facility, and heard from elected officials and economists including Dr. Liza Morehead of Worksystems, Inc.

Applications open for 2026-27 cohort

The Chamber is accepting applications for the next Leadership Tigard class, which begins in September 2026 and runs through May 2027 across nine full-day sessions.

The application deadline is Monday, September 14.

Tuition is $895 for Chamber members and $995 for non-members. Payment plans are available upon request, according to the Chamber's program page. NW Natural, Edge One Media, and Cloudminders sponsor the program.

Interested applicants can find the application on the Chamber's website at tigardchamber.org/programs/leadership-tigard or contact the Tigard Chamber office at 503-639-1656.