Back Row (L to R)
Steven Saunders, Todd Prior, Mary Murphy, Nick Sackos, Ryan Eckman, Nick Gibson, Mark Pedersen, Connor McCullough, Noah Brandt, Jen Hammond, Cory Loomis, Eric Heidebrecht, Amy McCarthy-Smith, David Wilkerson, Greg Watson, and Hank Kamakaala.
Front Row (L to R)
Jenny Odom, Taryn Amens Ramos, Jamie Dyer, McKenzie Boyd, Renee Brooke, Mellissa Kamanya, Kimberly Liszka, Cynthia Hunt, Ian Isaacson, Quinn Hanson, Sarah Slaughter, Michelle Solley, Talena Barker, and Amanda Windlinx.
Not Pictured: Amber Gomes, Ted Krause, and Sara Sherman.
Bend Chamber Announces Leadership Bend Class of 2025 Graduates
The Bend Chamber, in partnership with Taylor Northwest, is pleased to announce the Leadership Bend Class of 2025 graduates. Thirty-two outstanding individuals formally graduated from the Leadership Bend program on June 10, 2025.
“The Class of 2025 jumped into this program with energy and purpose—eager to learn, make connections, and, best of all, put that learning into action right away. Alongside their work on individual impact projects, many have already joined boards, volunteered for local causes, served on advisory committees, and shared their perspectives on key public issues,” shared Talena Barker, Bend Chamber Vice President of Leadership Development. “I’m truly confident in their ability to make a real difference in our community and play a vital role in helping our region thrive as it continues to grow.”
These participants come from a wide variety of backgrounds and industries, and differing lengths of time living in Central Oregon.
What they all have in common is a commitment to Bend and our region, and a willingness to work collaboratively to create a strong future for all. Over the course of nine months, they spent more than 90 class hours learning about local challenges and opportunities firsthand from decision-makers, and through interactive work. They also completed four impact projects outside of class hours and carved out time to connect and nurture their relationships with one another.
The Leadership Bend Class of 2025
Taryn Amens Ramos—Saving Grace
McKenzie Boyd—Parametrix
Noah Brandt—Anthony's Restaurant
Renee Brooke—City of Bend
Jamie Dyer—Central Oregon Radiology Assoc., P.C.
Ryan Eckman—Mike's Fence Center
Nick Gibson—Caldera
Amber Gomes—Koya Partners
Jen Hammond—Bend Chamber of Commerce
Quinn Hanson—G.A. Rogers
Eric Heidebrecht—Morrison-Maierle
Cynthia Hunt—Volunteers In Medicine Clinic of the Cascades
Ian Isaacson—Bend Park & Recreation District
Hank Kamakaala—Kellcon
Mellissa Kamanya—City of Bend
Ted Krause—Lynch Murphy McLane LLP
Kimberly Liszka—Reveille & Retreat Project/Dog Tag Diaries Podcast
Cory Loomis—Pence Contractors
Amy McCarthy-Smith—SĀJ Architecture
Connor McCullough—McCullough Financial Group
Mary Murphy—Latino Community Association
Jenny Odom—FM CIVIC
Mark Pedersen—Kirby Nagelhout Construction
Todd Prior—First Interstate Bank
Nick Sackos—Hennebery Eddy Architects
Steven Saunders—Cerity Parners
Sara Sherman—Brasada Ranch
Sarah Slaughter—Rosendin
Michelle Solley—St. Charles Foundation
Greg Watson—Simplicity by Hayden Homes
David Wilkerson—ORW Architecture
Amanda Windlinx—Bend Chamber of Commerce
Members of the 32nd class of Leadership Bend join nearly 700 other graduates as program alumni. The program has now graduated 726 informed and engaged citizens since 1993.
Applications for the Leadership Bend Class of 2026 are now being accepted through June 17, 2025, at https://bendchamber.org/leadership-bend/.
Grateful thanks to the participants, their employers, our sponsors and the many people who take the time to educate these future leaders.
For questions about Leadership Bend, please contact Talena Barker at talena@bendchamber.org.
Leadership Bend is supported by Taylor Northwest, Taylor Development, St. Charles Health System, Pence Contractors, Pacific Power, and like-minded organizations who believe that a healthy community comes from investment in leadership.
