Honoring Excellence: 21 New Certified Community Leadership Practitioners Recognized at 2025 ALP National Conference
July 31, 2025At the 2025 ALP National Conference in Fort Worth, we proudly celebrated a major milestone in the professionalization of the Community Leadership field: the recognition of 21 newly certified leaders through the Certified Community Leadership Practitioner (CCLP) program.
Launched in 2019, the CCLP designation has become a national benchmark for excellence among those who lead, design, and sustain impactful Community Leadership experiences. This rigorous certification includes over 50 hours of coursework, a comprehensive exam, and demonstrated application of core competencies in community leadership programming.
“One of the clearest indicators of ALP’s growth and impact is the continued momentum of the CCLP program,” said Andre Santiago, Chair, ALP Board of Directors. “This certification not only strengthens individual leaders, it raises the standard for our entire field.”
Recognizing the 2025 CCLP Designees
Since ALP members gathered in Providence, Rhode Island, for the 2024 National Conference, we have welcomed 21 new CCLP graduates to the stage in Fort Worth.
These outstanding leaders have completed the certification process since September 2024.
- Dr. Angela Anderson, Lideramos (TX)
- Meredith Ashkettle, Leadership Geauga (OH)
- Jennifer Bredehoft, Leadership New Jersey
- Alisha Blain-Warner, Leadership Thurston County (WA)
- Kate Brock, Leadership Elk & Cameron (PA)
- Laura Brogdon-Primavera, Leadership Wilmington (NC)
- Alexander Cayetano, Leadership Omaha (NE)
- Angie Cirone, Leadership Unlimited (OH)
- Colleen Dick, Leadership Institute for Talent (LIFT) of York County (SC)
- Amy Goode, Leadership Elk & Cameron (PA)
- Henry Johnson Jr., Leadership Akron (OH)
- Olympia Newman, Leadership Dallas (TX)
- Jesse Rasmussen, Leadership Southern Indiana
- Joy Reeves, Mississippi Power
- Dr. Tara Sargent, Leadership Washington County (MD)
- Susan Sims, Leadership Fairfax (VA)
- Sasha Smith, Leadership North Houston (TX)
- Jessica Stanford, Leadership Midland (TX)
- Linda Valdez Thompson, Valdez Thompson Consulting (TX)
- Cathy Yen, Community Connections Fund (IL)
- Mike Zwiefelhofer, Leadership San Francisco (CA)
Building the Future of the Profession
With more than 22 additional practitioners currently pursuing certification, the CCLP community continues to grow. Each new designee brings fresh insight, tested experience, and a shared commitment to elevating the field of community leadership.
“To all of our new CCLPs—thank you,” said Jessie Baginski, Ph.D., CCLP, Director of Programs for ALP. “You represent the best of this profession: excellence, integrity, and a desire to lead with purpose.”
If you're interested in pursuing your own CCLP designation, visit ALP’s CCLP webpage to learn more.
Congratulations again to all of our newest Certified Community Leadership Practitioners. Your dedication not only strengthens your own programs but also our national movement for stronger, more connected communities.