groundwork

local leadership institute

Groundwork Leadership Institute was born of a desire to bolster and support leaders in the Salem-Keizer area, across multiple sectors of the community. The program brought together leaders who may not otherwise have an opportunity to connect, teaching valuable interpersonal and development skills while providing the opportunity to connect deeply. Participants were asked to commit to a one-year cohort, beginning with a retreat at the coast and culminating in a banquet celebrating the collaborative progress made throughout the year.

In 2024, Groundwork’s director, Chris Pineda, launched the program separately from Mountain West and expanded his focus and reach to include other areas of interest. Although Mountain West is no longer involved in Groundwork, we are proud of its legacy of people-first leadership. You can learn more about the new direction of Groundwork below.