DALLAS, TEXAS [May 8, 2026] - The LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce Foundation is pleased to announce the graduation of its sixth LGBTQ+ Leadership Institute cohort. Launched in 2019, the program has graduated over 70 ambassadors to the community.

Members of the 2026 LGBTQ+ Leadership Institute graduating class include:

• Tres Brown, he/they; Resource Center
• Calvin Cox, they/them; AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)
• Alyssa Dickerson, she/her; Vistra
• Javier Enriquez, he/him; Prism Health North Texas
• Elisa Gilbertson, she/her; Weaver
• Cierra Graham, she/her; Truth Pregnancy Resource Center
• Lauren Hollis, she/her; Resource Center
• Valerie Jackson, she/her; Hair & Now Electrolysis
• Nick Limon, he/him; Children’s Health
• Twan McGary, he/him; Trust the Process Project
• Don Mamone, they/them; The Mamones, LLC
• Isaiah Rumadha, he/him; Room for Change
• Viviana Sanchez, she/her; TIAA
• Lynne Spikes, she/her; Balfour Beatty
• Cory Terrell, he/him; Casebook                     

Pictured: Front Row: Twan McGAry, Lynne Spikes, Alyssa Dickerson, Cierra Graham, Lauren Hollis. Middle Row: Cory Terrell, Viviana Sanchez, Nick Limon, Tres Brown, Calvin Cox, Javier Enriquez. Top Row: Isaiah Rumadha, Don Mamone, Valerie Jackson, Elisa Gilbertson. Photo Credit: Tara Arseven Photography

The LGBTQ+ Leadership Institute concludes a rigorous nine-month program that pairs professional excellence with civic advocacy. Over 60 hours of specialized instruction, graduates have mastered a comprehensive curriculum focused on leadership theory, LGBTQ+ history, and the socioeconomic issues impacting the community. By bridging the gap between professional skill-building and community engagement, the program ensures its graduates emerge as informed ambassadors and well-rounded representatives across every sector of the regional workforce.

“I have enjoyed working with this diverse group and appreciate their commitment to the program and passion to serve the community,” stated Lisa Howe, who manages the program and serves as Vice President of Membership & Programs for the North Texas LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. “Although there are a number of quality leadership programs in North Texas, none are designed to fill the generational information gap in the LGBTQIA+ community. We use every session to prepare our graduates to be better, more informed representatives of the LGBTQIA+ community, whether they identify as LGBTQ or an Ally. The graduates of the 2026 class are going to have an extremely positive impact on their organizations and in our community.”

The LGBTQ+ Leadership Institute provides an inclusive and nurturing environment for a diverse cohort of individuals to develop leadership skills and explore the critical issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community. Applications for the 2026-27 cohort will be open soon. Participation is open to members of the LGBTQ+ community and Allies. Tuition for the nine-month program is $2000. Partial scholarships are available. More information is available at https://lgbtqchamberfoundation.org/leadership/

About LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Established by the North Texas LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, the LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce Foundation invests in LGBTQ+ and ally individuals through education, leadership, and community engagement. The Foundation is also home to the LGBTQ Chamber Foundation Scholarship Fund and other community programs.

The LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce Foundation is a Texas nonprofit organization designated as tax exempt as defined in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Additional information is available at https://lgbtchamberfoundation.org/  

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For more information on the LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the LGBTQ+ Leadership Institute, please contact Lisa Howe at 214-865-7313 or email lisa.howe@lgbtchamber.com