Overview & Mission

Our Mission Statement

Our vision is to improve the social, economic, and political fabric of the Greater Sacramento region through shared commitment to collaborative action.  Our mission is to UNITE boundary-crossing leaders from a diversity of sectors throughout the Greater Sacramento region; STRENGTHEN their leadership capacity through deepening relationships and transformative experiences; and SERVE the community by working collaboratively to make significant positive contributions.

About the American Leadership Forum

Joining Leaders

Every community has leaders who run businesses, shape public policy and manage organizations. The American Leadership Forum (ALF) gives leaders from the most diverse elements of their community an opportunity to build trusting relationships with each other and to develop skills in collaboration that can be applied to benefit the community. As the network of bonded leaders grows, so too does its potential to bring about positive, constructive change.

More Than Rubbing Elbows

Since 1981, the American Leadership Forum, a national  non-profit organization, has dedicated its work to revitalizing leadership within communities across the nation. Established in 1997, the Mountain Valley Chapter brings together leaders from Placer, El Dorado, Sacramento, Northern Solano and Yolo counties.

The American Leadership Forum’s Board of Directors selects 22 – 26 ethnically, geographically and professionally diverse candidates to participate in a yearlong program. Those selected, called Fellows, represent a cross section of our community’s leaders who work in the public, private and non-profit sectors. During monthly meetings, Fellows explore the complex challenges facing the region. The Fellows ultimately improve our region by applying these lessons to real and difficult situations.

Call of the Wild

The highlight of the American Leadership Forum experience is the weeklong wilderness challenge where physical and mental boundaries are pushed, risks are taken and problem-solving abilities are put to the test. A true team emerges from the wilderness. Fellows report that the adventure creates strong and enduring bonds that are drawn upon during their entire lives.

Back from the wild, Fellows participate in the rest of the twenty-two day program spanning the course of a year. With newfound leadership skills and heightened abilities to resolve pressing community problems, Fellows take on a new adventure by putting their skills to work.

Taking It to the Streets

Fellows take the learning laboratory into the real world and apply the in-depth readings and seminars to a class project. The undertaking offers a chance for Fellows to collectively apply insight gained during the year. Each project seeks to resolve a community issue or improve the region. For a list of completed class projects, click here.

It's Not Over Yet

American Leadership Forum is more than a year of hard work; it often becomes a passion and a lifelong commitment for Fellows. Long after the initial program year, ALF graduates, called Senior Fellows, continue to meet and participate with other Fellows to address pressing community problems and collaborate with a diverse network of area leaders.  Read more about the Senior Fellows program here.