From the Desk of the CEO: My ‘Leadership Pasadena’ Experience

“Leadership Pasadena also prepared me to become more involved as a volunteer in the wonderful city I live and work.” -Jesse Dillon, CEO of Beacon Media News. – Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News

Leadership and Community Development

Last month I introduced this column on Leadership and Community Development.  As the CEO of Beacon Media News, publisher of Arcadia Weekly, Monrovia Weekly, Pasadena Independent and Sierra Madre Weekly, I decided to contribute  this monthly column to share some of my leadership and community experiences, as well as to become more connected and engaged in the communities we serve.

In February, I had the pleasure of working with Cynthia Bengtson Budzyn, Executive Director & Board Member, of Leadership Pasadena (LP) to develop an added-value marketing plan so that more local businesses and organizations could afford to send their employees to experience LP.  The mission of Leadership Pasadena experience “produces empowered, inspired and connected leaders who strengthen our diverse communities.”

In 2004, I graduated from Leadership Pasadena.  During the eight-month program, I gained an in-depth knowledge of the city of Pasadena’s rich history, business and economics, government, arts and science, and civic and charitable landscape. My leadership skills, such as decision making, strategic planning and team development, improved drastically.  Leadership Pasadena also prepared me to become more involved as a volunteer in the wonderful city I live and work.

Since my experience in LP, I have had the honor of sitting on the Northwest Commission, Pasadena Federal Credit Union Advisory Board and Levitt Pavilion Board of Directors.  By being involved as a board member, not only did I gain more knowledge, but I was able to give back to what was so graciously given to me and make an impact in the community. I was also able to contribute more to the Pasadena Star News’ bottom line, the company I was employed at that time, due to the increased relationships developed from my experiences on these boards.

Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO, said, “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”   I believe one of the best investments a company could make is in its employees.  In return, they have a part in improving that individual and themselves – a win-win.  I will leave this thought with you – Exemplary leaders and great communities are not born overnight, they are built over time.

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