Meet Your Mesa Leadership Board Members - Shannon Bickmore, Curriculum Co-Chair
Posted on Sep. 5, 2025 / Subscribe 0
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- Tell us about yourself and what you do for work.
○ Throughout my years as a leader of others, I’ve developed a passion for helping people understand that Leadership can have a tangible framework, definable tasks, goals, and outcomes that can be measured. This framework can really help new and developing leaders relate to their jobs in really meaningful ways. It removes the ambiguity from leadership that a lot of people feel, or that sense of “you're just born with it” mentality. It changed my life, and I know that it can change others’. That’s what I do for work. I’m a Leadership Coach and Consultant, and I mentor others on how to be an authentic yet strategic and organized leader. How to see the big picture, get to the true roots of problems, and how to rally a team around a common vision. I love talking with others about this, and find it incredibly rewarding to challenge others and see those “AHA” moments.
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- What is your position on the board, and what do you do in your board position for Mesa Leadership?
○ I am a Co-Curriculum board member and I help organize and teach the class each month. We determine where the class will be held, we create a lesson plan, get guest speakers who help educate and enrich the class, and organize the whole 8 hour day each month.
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- What attracted you to attend the Mesa Leadership, Training, and Development Program?
○ Feeling a bit overwhelmed and eventually apathetic about the state of politics and other things, I believed that learning more about my local community would help me feel more empowered and impactful in my day to day life. So, I sought out opportunities to learn more about the city I live in, and I found the Mesa Leadership program! What a success that was for me. It did exactly what I hoped it would do! It strengthened my pride in the City of Mesa, introduced me to so many amazing people and opportunities that have inspired me and given me new optimism and ideas for our future.
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- What class year did you graduate?
○ The best class ever of course, 2025! ;)
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- What was your class project?
○ We built a beautiful, high quality, shade structure for the Ross Farnsworth - East Valley Family YMCA. We also did some heavy duty landscaping; removing tall and wild overgrowth in the area next to the shade structure, and refurbished trashcans and benches donated by Mesa Parks and Rec to include in the new shady space.
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- What leadership principle(s) did you learn from attending Mesa Leadership and still use in your leadership style?
○ For me, the class reminded me of and gave me the chance to practice (and continue practicing) the power of relationships and networking. You make a lot of amazing connections in Mesa Leadership, and honing those relationships is definitely a leadership skill that I need to remember to practice! These connections not only help and inspire me personally, but can be excellent resources for my team - to grow and develop them as well through exposure to other experts. It’s our job as leaders to keep an eye out for amazing people and opportunities to help develop our teams.
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- What would you say if someone asked you about Mesa Leadership?
○ I’d say “applications are due by the end of May, when will I see your name come through?” Haha, honestly though, I’d recommend this program to anyone who wants to: learn more about their city, jump start their civic involvement, learn more about leadership, or network with amazing people.
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- What is a good leader?
○ A good leader is someone who is first and foremost authentic, meaning honest with themselves and others, and who excels at and balances the three pillars of:
■ Vision: Seeing a plan for the future, and engaging the hearts of others
■ Mentorship: Developing your people into leaders themselves, and
■ Managing: Getting the work done through highly productive teams.
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- Is there anything else about Mesa Leadership you want to share with us?
This program takes time in your schedule, but is well worth it! You will learn so much, and become a part of a community you didn’t realize you wanted or needed. Do not avoid the program due to costs. There are scholarships available to those who ask, and don’t let pride stand in the way of asking. The board wants you there, and there is no judgement or even a second thought given to those who ask! Whoever you are, your unique life experience and perspective are valued, wanted, and needed.
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