Leadership Kitsap’s Class of 2026

(Best. Class. Ever!)

Welcome Class of 2026!

The members of this cohort reflect a demonstrated commitment to personal leadership development, building thriving communities, and the desire to make a positive impact in Kitsap County. On behalf of the entire organization, we’re honored to welcome the Class of 2026 into the transformative ten-month experience of the Signature Program.

From September to June, participants will embark on a journey of growth, service, and connection. Through Challenge Days, small-group community impact projects, leadership training, and front row, hands-on engagement with our region’s most pressing issues and key players, they will gain insight, inspiration, and a powerful network of peers and alumni who embody servant leadership and a sense of ownership in civic responsibility.

We know the Class of 2026 is a dynamic group of change-makers, with each member playing a vital part. All members of the greater community are invited to the culminating celebration of their accomplishments by attending the Celebration of Leadership on June 3, 2026. Please save the date, and stay tuned on Leadership Kitsap’s socials for registration details

With excitement and appreciation,
The Leadership Kitsap Team

MEET THE CLASS

Eva Blair

Great Peninsula Conservancy

Lidia Gamero

Sanchez, Mitchell, Eastman, Cure & Wichert, PSC

Cory Manchester

Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office

Marla Powers

Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe

Jennifer Ronan

St. Michael Medical Center

Johnnie Walker

St. Michael Medical Center

Thank you to Fox Willow Photo for taking the Class of 2026’s headshots.

PROJECT CO-CHAIRS

Meet the project teams

TEAM ONE

TEAM Pawsitive Peninsula

Kevin Bernt, Marla Powers, Sherri Raines, Jennifer Ronan, Brian Tift, and Steven Worley.

Community Partner: Kitsap Humane Society

With the increase of tourism and new residents coming to Kitsap County, we want to ensure our community can easily locate pet-friendly businesses and amenities and microchip scanners to help lost pets get home faster. Our project will place pet microchip scanners in key geographical areas across the peninsula and a map of the Kitsap Peninsula identifying pet-friendly amenities and scanner locations.

TEAM TWO

TEAM OFF LEASH

Robyn Dunham, Kurtis Lont, Dan Moore, David Prychodzko, and Hailee Scheibner.

Community Partner: City of Bremerton, Parks Department

Dog owners with acessibility issues often gather in the parking lot of Bremerton Bark Park, because they are unable to join their pets in the park. Our project will create an ADA-accessible walkway in the large dog area and an ADA-compliant bench. Additionally, we will install shelters over the accessibility benches in both areas of the dog park. These changes will allow for stronger communities to be built around pet lovers.

TEAM THREE

TEAM SHOES

Tyler Danielson, Lidia Gamero, Victoria Gingrey, Cory Manchester, and Pylo Lopez Tapia.

Community Partner: Great Peninsula Conservancy

Managed by the Great Peninsula Conservancy (GPC), the Clear Creek Trail in Silverdale spans 7 miles over 185 acres. This year the GPC is celebrating its 25th anniversary, a rebrand, and the revitilization of an old barn on the property that will become the vistors center. Our project will draft, design, and create a short video for outrerach and educational purposes. This video will be utilized for visitors, volunteers, and to promote the mission of the GPC in the community.

TEAM FOUR

TEAM REST PARK KITSAP

Katie Baker, Richard Barley, William Bruce, Dean Nail, and Jackie Rase.

Community Partner: First Lutheran Church Poulsbo

There are 300 unhoused individuals in Kitsap—50 who live in their cars. Not everyone can stay at a shelter, but everyone deserves a safe place to sleep. Our project will launch a safe overnight parking site meant to be a transitory space with a mobile bathroom, trash disposal, and security measures. We will also be partnering with Poulsbo Police Department’s Behaviorial Health Navigator and Fishline to ensure these vulnerable members of the community have access to services they need during the day as well.

TEAM FIVE

TEAM Rolling Scones

Bryan Behrens, Victoria Hilt, David Ortyn, Abby Stevenson, and Johnnie Walker.

Community Partner: Meals on Wheels Kitsap

Participation in community hot meal programs has declined since the pandemic. Our project will facilitate a survey to understand barriers and host a community meal event informed by those insights. This project also invites intergenerational connection by engaging youth soccer teams and other local partners in shared community meals.

TEAM SIX

TEAM Nourish and Flourish

Eva Blair, Jeneise Briggs, Terrick McGhee, Chanel Riggle, and Wayne Swanson.

Community Partner: Bremerton Foodline

The Kitsap Neighborhood Pantry Initiative aims to increase awareness and access to neighborhood food pantries and are facing obstacles to accessibility for volunteers and communtiy memebrs. Our project will create a map of Kitsap Neighborhood Food Pantries and place QR codes in stratetgic areas to help bridge the gap between resources and neighbors who are facing food insecurity.

CLASS OF 2026 SCHEDULE

2025-2026 CHALLENGE DAY DATES

LK Summer Picnic | August 17, 2025 (Optional)

Orientation | Friday, August 22, 2025

Opening Retreat | Friday, September 5, 2025 & Saturday, September 6, 2025

Education | Friday, October 3, 2025

LKAA Fall Social | Tuesday, October 7, 2025 (Optional)

Projects Panel | Friday October 24, 2025

Government | Friday, November 7, 2025

Economics | Friday, December 5, 2025

Healthy Community | Friday, January 9, 2026

Law & Justice | Friday, February 6, 2026

Positive Youth Development | Friday, March 13, 2026

Environment & Planning | Friday, April 17, 2026

Arts & Culture | Friday, May 8, 2026

LKAA Spring Social | Tuesday, May 12, 2026 (Optional)

Personal Reflections | Thursday, May 21, 2026

Celebration of Leadership | Wednesday, June 3, 2026

*Subject to Change with notice

SAVE THE DATE
FOR OTHER LK EVENTS

January 22, 2026 | 20 Under 40 Awards Ceremony

March 19, 2026 | Kitsap Women’s Summit

Applications for the Class of 2027 Open in January 2026—Invite your friends to apply!

Leadership Kitsap Premier Institute Seminars

November 20, 2025 | with Cara Wilson

January 2026 | Manager Peer Coaching