When Robbin Newman graduated in June with more than 40 classmates from the Leadership Boca Class of 2013, it was the culmination of a mission to learn about the Boca Raton business community. Newman, General Counsel for Danburg Properties of Boca Raton, believes she accomplished her mission – and much more.

Though Newman lives outside Boca Raton, she has worked in the city for years. Yet, certain aspects of business and civic life still were unknown to her. Who were her peers – especially those, like Newman herself – committed to growing Boca Raton’s community? Where did business and civic life intersect? How could she attend local events and feel more like an insider among friends?

Leadership Boca was the answer. The eight-session program, which is run by the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, is designed to “educate civic-minded individuals in the greater Boca Raton area with regard to issues and concerns facing our community.” [To learn more, watch this video].

When the class was seated in March of this year, Newman and her classmates embarked on a journey into the city’s business, educational and cultural institutions.

They learned about the Chamber and its partnership with Florida Atlantic University. With her encouragement, Danburg will be a sponsor of the FAU Owls football team for the upcoming fall season and will attend games in the fall.

After touring Lynn University’s arts center and concert hall, Newman bought tickets for several upcoming musical events.

“I never would have done that without the visit,” she says. “Beyond Danburg’s sponsorship of the 2012 Presidential Debate, I knew very little about the university and its programs.”

Throughout it all, Newman discovered and networked with people, like herself, whose employers supported their time away from the office spent visiting area organizations and learning about their community.

Now, Newman is more connected with Boca Raton, fellow leaders, and the city’s business and civic community. Her calendar includes Chamber breakfasts and civic events – outings that when she walks in the door, she’ll no longer be a stranger among strange faces.

When she went to a July Chamber ribbon cutting for Image 360, a custom graphics, signage and display company owned by Mary Sol Gonzalez, a fellow Leadership Boca classmate, she was comfortable walking in.

“I knew at least 10 people when I walked in the door,” she says. “If I hadn’t been part of Leadership Boca, I wouldn’t have known anyone.”

For Newman, her membership in Leadership Boca is a natural extension of Danburg’s own support of the Boca Raton community. She now reflects her employer’s commitment.

“Even though I don’t live here, I wanted to learn more about the community,” she says. “That really came true. Now I personally support the community and feel I’m part of business and civic life here.”