Description

The Rick Holden Memorial Scholarship Fund will provide financial support to Leadership San Jose participants who are unable to afford the full tuition, carrying on Rick's legacy of service and leadership within our community.

In Memory of Rick Holden (November 2, 1944 - April 10, 2024)

Rick Holden, an inspirational community leader, passed away on April 10, 2024. Rick ran Leadership San Jose from 1999-2010, developed and led the San Jose Leadership Academy from 2000-2010 with San Jose Unified School District, and created and oversaw the San Jose Leadership Council, which kept alumni connected and engaged.

One of Rick’s favorite quotes was “Lead, follow or get out of the way” and he lived his life in exactly that matter.

He educated and mentored hundreds of leadership alumni, many of whom now serve on nonprofit boards, city and county commissions, hold elected offices, and two who became police chiefs. Rick lead by example, supporting many arts and education nonprofits, including serving on the boards of Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose, We Players, and San Jose Jazz, among many others.