American Leadership Forum of Oregon

The American Leadership Forum (ALF) of Oregon is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that brings a diverse range of corporate, public and non-profit leaders together to build effective networks of collaboration, service and community throughout the state. By creating a network of leaders with established bonds of trust and mutual support, ALF strengthens the commitment of leaders to utilize collaborative approaches to dealing with often complex community and statewide issues.

The ALF Mission Statement

Joining and strengthening diverse leaders to serve the common good. ALF enhances leadership by building on the strengths of diversity and by promoting collaborative problem solving within and among communities.

Core Values

• We believe in the power and importance of trusted relationships.
• We believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging are critical for thriving, equitable communities, healthy people, and a healthy planet.
• We believe in the power of dialogue and collaborative leadership with leaders who have curiosity about people whose identity, culture, background and life experiences may be different from their own.
• We believe we have a responsibility to prioritize active civic engagement to equitably serve for the benefit of all people in our communities.
• We prioritize and engage in practices of mindfulness, grace, acceptance, accountability and openness to personal and professional growth.

Cornerstones

• Building trust and networks among diverse leaders
• Motivating leaders to be catalysts for positive community change
• Strengthening collaborative leadership skills in the art of democracy (i.e. active listening, creative conflict, mediation, negotiation, political imagination, public dialogue, public judgment, celebration and appreciation
• Exploring the interconnectedness of communities within a region
• Enriching and renewing personal values while fostering a balance between being and doing
• Understanding and empowering self and others
• Exploring, understanding, and valuing diversity
• Inspiring leaders to a lifetime of active public engagement 

Click here to learn more about New ALFO Executive Director, Lisa Watson of Class 30

November 28, 2018 Statement on Civil Discourse

As our country continues to witness the escalation of blame-fueled rhetoric, anger-and-hate-driven violence and amplified acts of unprecedented divisiveness, we as Senior Fellows of the American Leadership Forum feel compelled to step up and speak out.

There has never been a better time to double down on living the ALF ideals of dialogue. We know how to do this; this is what we stand for. In that spirit, here are some ways we can all “show up” in this world:

• Use your network to bring diverse thinkers together.
• Practice the art of transformative dialogue.
• Prioritize acts of intentional kindness and education over isolation.
• Seek out rational commentary on opposing views, then seek to understand.
• Avoid the impulse to react and escalate. As Rabbi Oren Hayon of Houston’s Congregation Emanu El recently said, “We cannot disregard anyone’s humanity if we hope to have our own humanity preserved.”
• Speak out against hateful speech and behavior targeted against any group.

Live the ideals of ALF and encourage others to join you on that preferred path. It is time to model the principles of our mission, established nearly 40 years ago, that encourage us all to be leaders in bringing people from all corners of our diverse communities together.

We must ask ourselves, “How am I showing up?  What will I do to help facilitate change?”

American Leadership Forum – National Board of Trustees

November 28, 2018

Beth Boggs, Tacoma, WA                                                

Debra Brown, Portland, OR

Gina Carroll, Houston, TX

Troy Christensen, Tacoma, WA

Sam Cook, Myrtle Beach, SC

Louis Cooper, Tacoma, WA

Dee Dee Dochen, Houston, TX

Bonnie Ferreira, Sacramento, CA

Reagan Flowers, Houston, TX

Kathy Halsey, Modesto, CA

Chrystal Joy, Charlotte, NC

Albert Najera, Sacramento, CA

Cyndee Patterson, Charlotte, NC

Rolanda Pierre-Dixon, San Jose, CA

Kimberlee Sheng, Portland, OR

Dan Snare, Houston, TX

Wendy Spencer, Merced, CA

Suzanne St. John-Crane, San Jose, CA

Pam Stewart, Sacramento, CA

Harriet Wasserstrum, Houston, TX

David Williams, Memphis, TN