Mission & History
Mission
Coro’s mission is to strengthen the democratic process by preparing individuals for effective and ethical leadership.
At Coro, we believe that meaningful impact comes from collaboration: people in business and communities, schools and unions, government and nonprofits, working together to find creative solutions and strengthening our democracy.
We equip people with skills, knowledge, and networks to collaborate and drive innovative solutions wherever they are. Coro graduates gain a deeper understanding of how the world works, the leadership skills to improve it, and a network of engaged and influential peers to help them reach their goals.
Vision
Found in every sector and in all professions Coro alumni create, govern and guide with extraordinary skill, vision and excellence.
Guiding Principles
Leadership is moving yourself, your community and your world forward
Leadership can be practiced anywhere, anytime, by anyone, in any role
Leadership is a practice of being, thinking, and doing
Leadership is a life-long practice
Core Competencies
Coro participants learn by doing. Guided by our experienced faculty, participants actively engage with their colleagues to disrupt old patterns, build skills, and develop new ways of thinking. Our programs focus on developing and enhancing five core competencies for 21st century leadership.
Critical Thinking
Systems thinking, effective inquiry, understanding organizational structures, problem-solving tools
Communication
Active listening, purposeful and persuasive presentation, storytelling skills
Empowered Professionalism
Relationship building, network building, navigating ambiguity and change
Self-Awareness
Personal leadership styles, exchanging feedback, reflective practice, personal ecology
Collaboration
Assessing group dynamics, group process and decision making, team-building, working with diverse perspectives
History
Coro was founded in San Francisco in 1942 by W. Donald Fletcher, an attorney, and Van Duyn Dodge, an investment counselor, to train young veterans in the leadership skills necessary to assure that our democratic system of government could more effectively meet the needs of its citizens.
Since 1947, when the first program was delivered, Coro has grown to include centers in San Francisco (1942), Los Angeles (1957), St. Louis (1973), New York (1980), and Pittsburgh (1999).
There are over 15,000 program alumni currently serving as leaders in local, regional and national/global businesses, non-profit organizations, labor unions, governmental agencies and elected public office.
The name “Coro” is the creation of its founders. Their vision for a program of educational discovery to prepare citizen leaders was a totally new concept. Thus Coro – a new word and one without association – was invented to represent both discovery and exploration.
The Coro logo was created in 1970 by Hisashi Nakamoto. The center part of the “C” is meant to look like an eye to represent the fact that Coro always has its eyes open in public affairs. Yet in spite of being in the center, there is still an opening for exploration and discovery. The “C” points outward to symbolize purpose and mission.
