Meet Mike Zwiefelhofer - ALP Ambassador

ALP Ambassador Spotlight: Mike Zwiefelhofer, Leadership San Francisco, CA

At the Association of Leadership Programs (ALP), we are proud to highlight the incredible leaders who contribute to the growth and success of Community Leadership Programs nationwide. This month, we’re excited to spotlight Mike Zwiefelhofer, Executive Director of Leadership San Francisco, CA. Mike’s story is a testament to the power of Community Leadership Programs to inspire change, both professionally and personally.

From Participant to Executive Director
Mike’s leadership journey took an exciting turn three years ago when he participated in Leadership San Francisco (LSF) as a small business owner. After completing the program, he found himself at a crossroads, just as the former Executive Director of LSF retired. Inspired by his own transformative experience, Mike applied for the role and has since been leading LSF for the past two years with purpose and passion.

Expanding the Impact of Leadership San Francisco
One of Mike’s proudest achievements to date is the development of a brand-new initiative: BootCamp SF. This program, which aims to help new residents acclimate to life in San Francisco while engaging with the community, recently earned board approval and is set to launch its inaugural cohort in July. With this expansion, Mike is positioning Leadership San Francisco to serve a broader audience and deepen its impact across the city.

Deepening Connections Through ALP
As a relatively new Executive Director, Mike became an ALP Ambassador to connect with and learn from a national network of Community Leadership professionals. Through ALP, he’s found fresh inspiration and actionable ideas that are helping him evolve and expand Leadership San Francisco’s vision and impact. 
Mike credits ALP with broadening his understanding of what’s possible: “Interacting with so many other program leaders has opened my eyes to the possibilities for Leadership San Francisco.”

Leading with Purpose
Guided by the philosophy of servant leadership, Mike approaches his role with humility and heart. “My accomplishments are not for personal gain, but for the benefit of the participants, the alumni, and the overall program. Everything I do is to make Leadership San Francisco and its participants better.”

Beyond the Office
When he’s not guiding the future of leadership in the Bay Area, Mike finds balance through running and cheering on his favorite teams at baseball games. He’s also the owner of Z. Cioccolato, a renowned sweets shop. Famous for its house-made fudge, Z. Cioccolato has been featured on The Cooking Channel's Unique Sweets and was previously named one of the top 20 fudge shops in America by MSN.

Connect with Mike
We’re thrilled to celebrate Mike’s contributions and leadership journey! Follow him and Leadership San Francisco to stay engaged in this important work:
LinkedIn: Mike Zwiefelhofer
Leadership San Francisco: LinkedIn 

Thank you, Mike, for your unwavering dedication to leadership development. Your impact is felt far and wide, and we’re proud to have you as part of the ALP community!