The need for decisive and collaborative leadership in San Mateo County is more pressing than ever. One of the leaders rising to the occasion is Rob Chua, a distinguished graduate of our Leadership CORPS program. His recent experience exemplifies how cultivating cross-sector relationships can have a positive and significant impact on our local communities.

Leadership Council SMC empowers leaders from all sectors—public, private, and nonprofit—to unite in addressing the pressing challenges facing San Mateo County. Through its Leadership Immersion Programs, Leadership CORPS and the Emerging Leaders Program, participants gain essential knowledge and skills, and forge lasting connections, ultimately positioning them to initiate and implement meaningful change.

New Relationships Lead to Community Impact

Rob has been an engaged Bay Area community and business leader for more than a decade and is the Founder and Principal of Avenues Consulting, a full-service public affairs and communications consulting firm. He graduated from the Leadership CORPS Program in June 2024. He was attracted to the CORPS program because of its alignment with Avenue’s mission to serve clients who are community-focused and dedicated to transformative change.

“We seek clients that are aligned with our mission and purpose,” said Rob. “Being part of Leadership Council SMC’s Immersion Program is a natural place for business leaders to grow and thrive.”

Rob's CORPS experience not only enhanced his leadership capabilities but also expanded his network, leading to significant professional advancements, including a recent partnership with California Life Sciences.

Rob believes that the connections and relationships that he developed in CORPS were instrumental to Avenues earning California Life Sciences as a new client. California Life Sciences is the state’s influential life sciences membership organization and industry advocate. During Leadership CORPS, Rob learned alongside classmates from biotech and related businesses who helped him understand the life sciences industry and provided him with introductions to key leaders. 

Rob and his team are now serving California Life Sciences as a government relations advocate. Recently Avenues was a key organizer as California Life Sciences hosted the Farmworker Health & Community Event, a free health fair in Half Moon Bay aimed at filling the gaps that exist in access to public health for underserved communities. The Avenues team was thrilled to be part of this event that united local healthcare and community partners. “SMC's coastside can feel like an island for its residents, especially in the farmworker community,” said Rob. “Having a true wrap-around services event is not only useful, but a compassionate approach to providing resources.”

Rob credits his time in Leadership CORPS with providing him with both personal and professional growth.

“The Leadership CORPS Program equips leaders with the skills, tools, and relationships needed to drive success,” he reflected. 

Leadership CORPS Accelerates Impact

The impact of Leadership Council SMC’s Immersion Programs is quantifiable. From an organizational perspective, approximately 30% reported that their businesses have gained new clients, increased the number of people served, or expanded the services provided. A whopping 88% of alumni respondents reported that their participation had increased the awareness of their organization’s work.

On a personal level, an impressive 56% of alumni, including Chua, report career advancements, promotions, or expanded community roles due to the skills acquired from their Immersion Program attendance, while 80% have initiated cross-sector professional collaborations, fostering innovative solutions. 

Rob is an ardent advocate for the Leadership Council SMC’s mission. “It’s essential for leaders to continue fostering their connections even after completing the program,” he stated, highlighting his recent involvement with Leadership Council SMC’s Alumni Advisory Council aimed at sustaining long-term community engagement, learning, and collaboration.

By harnessing the power of collaboration and community-centric solutions, leaders like Rob are crafting an inclusive and sustainable future. Rob embodies the ethos of Leadership Council SMC: that collective leadership and robust relationships can solve the challenges faced by San Mateo County.