2015-16 Leadership Los Alamos graduate is manager of the Los Alamos and White Rock Visitor Centers. Photo by Martha Katko

LLA News:

Enrollment is open through June 25 for the Leadership Los Alamos Class of 2017 and everyone is welcome to apply.

Between now and then, the Los Alamos Daily Post is publishing a series of Q&A profiles on recent LLA graduates who talk about their experience in the program.

Leadership Los Alamos is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), tax exempt organization founded to identify current and emerging leaders in the Los Alamos community, enhance their leadership skills, and deepen their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing our area.

In the Leadership Los Alamos program, participants learn as much about themselves as they do about leadership, teamwork and the community. To learn more, visit About Leadership Los Alamos and Applying to the Program.

Leadership Los Alamos 2016 graduate Melanie Pena. Photo by Martha Pena

The Leadership Los Alamos profile series continues with 2016 graduate Melanie Pena:

LLA: How many years have you lived and/or worked in Los Alamos?

Pena: I have only lived and worked in Los Alamos for five years now but living in San Ildefonso Pueblo for 12 years before that, my children have attended Los Alamos Public schools and I had shopped on the Hill.

LLA: Why did you enroll in Leadership Los Alamos?

Pena: I enrolled in Leadership Los Alamos to learn more about our community, to grow my own personal leadership skills as well as to get more experience in public speaking. Previous LACDC staff had taken and graduated from LLA and so I was encouraged to apply last year.

LLA: What was your biggest “take-away” from the class? 

Pena: My biggest take away besides making great connections with other community and class members was the knowledge I came away with about all the different aspects and workings within Los Alamos County and our surrounding areas.

LLA: What are you doing with what your learned? 

Pena: As the manager of the Los Alamos and White Rock Visitor Centers I have used my new gained knowledge and experience from our classes to help me run more efficient and effective Visitor Centers. I have made connections with key members in our community who are great resources and who have made my job a lot easier. I encourage those who are interested in joining your program to do so because it was an experience I will never forget!!