Missy Macon

Leadership Amarillo & Canyon
Executive Director

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As I reflect on my first year as Executive Director of Leadership Amarillo & Canyon, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to serve an organization that has been developing and empowering leaders in our community for more than four decades. It has been an exciting and rewarding year, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together.

Over the past year, we have continued to strengthen our mission of developing leaders who make a positive impact in Amarillo, Canyon, and the surrounding region. We welcomed another outstanding class of adult leaders through our flagship Leadership Amarillo & Canyon program and engaged high school students from all ten public high schools in our area, plus several private and home school students in Teen Leadership Amarillo & Canyon. Through meaningful experiences, community partnerships, and leadership development opportunities, we are helping prepare the next generation of leaders while continuing to invest in established professionals throughout our community.

This year also marked an important milestone as we celebrated 45 years of Leadership Amarillo & Canyon. Since 1981, thousands of individuals have participated in our programs, creating a network of leaders who continue to serve our communities in countless ways. Honoring that legacy while building for the future has been one of the greatest privileges of my first year.

None of this would have been possible without the support of our dedicated Board of Directors, volunteers, alumni, sponsors, and community partners. I remain deeply grateful for the strong foundation built by the many leaders who have shaped this organization over the years. Their commitment has allowed us to continue growing and adapting while staying true to our mission.

My own journey has reinforced my belief in the power of leadership development, service, and community connection. As a Panhandle native, I care deeply about this region and its future. My husband, Ross, and I chose to build our lives and raise our family here because we believe in the people and possibilities that make this community so special.

As we look ahead, I am excited about the opportunities before us. We will continue investing in and preparing leaders of all ages, strengthening community partnerships, and creating experiences that inspire individuals to serve, connect, and lead with purpose.

Thank you for your support, encouragement, and belief in Leadership Amarillo & Canyon. Together, we are strengthening our community by developing and empowering leaders, and I look forward to all we will accomplish in the years to come.

With gratitude,

MISSY MACON

Executive Director
Leadership Amarillo & Canyon

missy@leadershipamarillo.org

ABOUT US

Our Story

For more than four decades, Leadership Amarillo & Canyon has been developing leaders who make a difference.

Founded in 1981, Leadership Amarillo & Canyon was created with a simple but powerful vision: to strengthen our community by investing in its people. What began as a leadership program for emerging community leaders has grown into a lasting network of alumni, business professionals, educators, nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, and public servants who share a commitment to making Amarillo, Canyon, and the surrounding region stronger.

Our mission is simple.

To strengthen the community by developing and empowering leaders.

We believe great leaders are not born—they are developed through meaningful experiences, diverse perspectives, and a commitment to serving others. Through immersive learning, community engagement, and authentic connections, participants gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our region while building the skills and relationships needed to create positive change.

Today, Leadership Amarillo & Canyon offers leadership experiences for both adults and high school students through Leadership Amarillo & Canyon and Teen Leadership Amarillo & Canyon. Together, these programs inspire individuals to lead with purpose, collaborate across sectors, and invest in the future of the communities they call home.

More than a program, Leadership Amarillo & Canyon is a community of leaders dedicated to learning, serving, and creating lasting impact. Every class, every connection, and every graduate contributes to a stronger future for Amarillo, Canyon, and the Texas Panhandle.

What We Do

Leadership Amarillo & Canyon provides immersive leadership experiences that connect participants with the people, places, and issues shaping our community. Through monthly program days, interactive discussions, site visits, and hands-on learning, participants gain a deeper understanding of the industries, organizations, and leaders driving progress across the Texas Panhandle.

Each experience is intentionally designed to strengthen leadership skills, encourage meaningful dialogue, and inspire participants to become engaged citizens and collaborative problem-solvers. Along the way, they build lasting relationships with classmates, alumni, and community leaders that continue well beyond graduation.

Our programs include:

Leadership Amarillo & Canyon

A premier leadership development program for professionals who are committed to growing personally, professionally, and civically.

Teen Leadership Amarillo & Canyon

An experiential leadership program that equips high school students with the confidence, skills, and perspective to become the next generation of community leaders.

Our Impact

Leadership is most powerful when it creates a ripple effect.

Each year, our participants return to their workplaces, schools, organizations, and neighborhoods with a broader understanding of the community and a renewed commitment to serving others. They become more informed decision-makers, stronger collaborators, and advocates for positive change.

The impact extends far beyond the program. Graduates strengthen local businesses, lead nonprofit organizations, serve on boards and committees, mentor future leaders, volunteer throughout the community, and help shape the future of Amarillo, Canyon, and the Texas Panhandle.

When we invest in developing leaders, we invest in a stronger, more connected community.

Why Leadership Matters

Strong communities don't happen by chance—they are built by leaders who are willing to listen, collaborate, and take action.

The challenges facing our communities are complex, but they also present opportunities for innovation, partnership, and growth. Leadership Amarillo & Canyon equips individuals with the knowledge, relationships, and confidence to navigate those challenges and create meaningful solutions.

By bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, industries, and experiences, we foster collaboration that extends beyond our programs. Participants leave not only with new leadership skills, but with a lifelong network of people who share a passion for strengthening our community.

Together, we are developing leaders who inspire others, serve with purpose, and leave a lasting impact for generations to come.

Mailing Address:

Leadership Amarillo & Canyon, P.O. Box 52171, Amarillo TX 79159