Charlie Gallagher, Executive Director

Building our future leaders now….that’s the message Charlie Gallagher from the LEAP program brought to our meeting. This week-long, award-winning motivational leadership program for 15-25 year old students takes place on the UCLA campus each Summer. Charlie is an alumni of the program when it first started in 2008 and returned to take over as Executive Director after working in Australia in Advertising.
LEAP teaches real word skills like study skills, time management, financial management, effective communication, goal setting, working with mentors and networking. Students must apply for the program and scholarships are available. The cost for the week-long program is $3,000.
Two key components that LEAP students leave the program with are access to real life mentors in their career field and motivated peers who are friends for life, serving as a support system. The program offers a track for high school students who are excelling in high school but need help getting into their ideal college. It also offers a college/career prep program to help students transition into the real world and succeed in their first job. Many graduates of the LEAP program return to mentor the students each year and past speakers include Mayor Eric Garcetti, Actress Eva Longoria, Olympic medalist Apollo One, NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and singer, dancer, actress Paula Abdul.
For more information call (877) 855-5327 or visit www.LEAPfoundation.com.