"The program gave me a close-up view of political, business and social issues and trends, information that is invaluable to me as an entrepreneur and active participant in the success of our great state. The speakers were incredible— they inspired us and stretched our minds. The opportunity to connect with successful and dynamic California women leaders was a main highlight. Being part of Leadership California is like being part of a powerful sisterhood."

—Ursula C. Mentjes, M.S., ACC
President and Certified Business Coach
Potential Quest, Inc.
"I have enjoyed my involvement with Leadership California. Our trip to the state capitol was most enlightening. As a result I have gotten involved with the Los Angeles African American Women's Political Action Committee. Thank you, Leadership California, for sparking a genuine interest in the political process."

—Shawn Farrar
Director Corporate Diversity
Sempra Energy
"The CIT program brings together successful women from all over California, and gives them the opportunity to build a network with other successful women. It's a way to learn about the important issues in our state, and to get ready to take the next step in your professional life."

—Isela Vilchis Hoenigmann
"Leadership California has provided me a panoramic view of issues, challenges and opportunities for this lovely state that I live in. The program was my introduction to women of unbelievable talent, experience and passion who are set to make a difference. The feeling to want to be more, to accomplish more, is simply contagious. I hope to know these women for the rest of my life."

—Rosario Montes-Arena
Manager, IBM Software Executive Briefing Program
Silicon Valley & Worldwide Briefing Program
"As a young immigrant woman working in the nonprofit sector, it was inspiring to see women leaders in action, to be able to network with them, and talk about the issues that are relevant to our communities and our state. I feel honored and privileged for the opportunity to participate in such an awesome program that weaves women leaders from different sectors and geographies of California to engage in a conversation about the social, political, and economic fabric of California."

—Winnie Hui-Min Yu
Development Associate
Asian Law Caucus
San Francisco
"I've spent half of my work life in the corporate world, and the past ten years in the nonprofit world, but neither taught me how to be who I am at work—the whole pastiche of talent and spirit. I found role models who excited me, the true state of our state of California (which frustrated me), work partners continually learning like me, and friends."

—Peta G. Penson, Ed. D.
Consultant
Oakland Unified School District
"Leadership California sessions feature influential speakers and lively discussion on timely issues shaping the economy and workforce. The session on work-life balance struck a chord with me, where key leaders advised us to map out a personal career plan. Networking with other women was invaluable. Leadership California is an engaging and downright fun experience."

—Roberta Tinajero-Frankel
Kaiser Permanente Community Benefit Dept.
Healthy Eating, Active Living Project Manager
"Simply put, Leadership California is time well spent that will benefit me personally and professionally for years to come. I've not only kept in contact with my fellow classmates on a social level, but have had opportunities to work with some of them on business projects as our professional paths crossed. The sessions gave in-depth looks at the critical social issues that many Californians face, inspiring me to get more involved in my community’s outreach programs."

—Teena Massingill
Manager of Corporate Public Affairs
Safeway Inc.
   
 

WELCOME 
Leadership California is a network of accomplished women, dedicated to advancing the leadership role women play in impacting business, social issues and public policy. It is also a unique program, designed to develop and mobilize female leaders. From corporate, academic, state and community organizations across the state, Leadership California draws a diverse group of executive women into its California Issues and Trends Program. Alumnae gain new insights on complex global, national and regional issues facing California.
Click Here for a 2010 Program Overview
           2009 Program Overview
Click for a Message from the President and Executive Director

 

 

Your Invitation to Join our
Distinguished Group of
Accomplished Women


We're looking for successful women to join us for
the journey of a lifetime, the California Issues and Trends Program. 
Grow your leadership insights, build your power network, make a positive difference in your professional life and envision your role in California's future.

APPLY NOW

WHAT’S NEW_________________________

Session II: It's a Wrap!
May 3-5, Los Angeles
See more photos from last session HERE>

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

Classmembers visited the Huntington's lush gardens

 

A special tour of the Huntington
galleries followed a garden breakfast 

Session II featured a breakfast and tour of the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens in Pasadena and a presentation by William Deverell, Ph.D., USC/Huntington Library Partnership-California & the West, on California’s Heritage: Themes through the Decades. The Huntington features rare book displays, historic artwork and furnishings, a Chinese Garden, Shakespeare Garden, bonsai display and cactus garden. More photos HERE>

Women Leaders shared insights in "Lessons Learned on the Journey" with moderator Barbara Kaufman, Ph.D. Panelists, from left: Jana D. Monroe, Director Corporate Security & Business Continuity Management, Southern California Edison; Cathleen Greiner, Ph.D., Asst. Superintendent/VP Student Learning, Cuesta College; and Marva Smith Battle-Bey, President, Vermont Slauson Economic Developemnt Corporation.

Patricia T. Clarey, Sr. VP and Chief Regulatory & External Relations Officer, Health Net, Inc., at right, gave a presentation on the future of America's healthcare. At left is classmember Laura Sellheim.

Morley Winograd, right, Executive Director, Institute for Communications & Technology, USC Marshall School of Business, discussed technology, the media and demographic trends. At left, Anita Q. Gabrielian, Executive Director, AT&T External Affairs, with Leadership California Executive Director Pam Hemann.

Moderator Mary O’Hara-Devereaux, Ph.D., Founder & CEO, Global-Foresight, left, and a panel of global women leaders discussed leadership challenges. From right, Margaret Dano, Former Vice President of Worldwide Operations, Turbo Technology, Honeywell International Inc.; Hiroko Tatebe, Founder & Executive Director, Global Organization for Leadership & Diversity (GOLD), and Veronica Gutierrez, Director of Public Affairs, Edison International.

Kay Iwata, CEO, K. Iwata Associates, Inc., led "Our Diversity Competencies"

Thank You to our 
Session II Sponsors:

 


 



Click here for more information on our Supporters. 

__________________________________________

Judy Chu: Leadership is a Winding Road

A Career in Public Service Calls for Deep Roots and a Steady Hand

by Carol Caley
- Now running for the 32nd Congressional District seat vacated by Hilda Solis, Dr. Judy Chu is Vice Chair of the California State Board of Equalization. Chu has been a San Gabriel Valley school board member, mayor, city council member, and state assembly member. Now actively campaigning from her Baldwin Park headquarters, we caught up with her for a phone interview. Read MORE>
__________________________________________

A Conversation 
with Elise Buik

Leadership Means Greater Good for Greater LA
by Carol Caley- As the first female president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, Elise Buik ('98) finds it simply unacceptable that currently one in four children live in poverty, and 73,000 people are currently homeless in Los Angeles County. Read MORE>
__________________________________________

Regional Council Meetings

Sacramento Regional Council members from right, Dr. Judy Kjelstrom (’08), Kate Killeen (’08), Cynthia Brooks (’08), and Judy's daughter Andrea Kjelstrom made a trip to the Sacramento Jazz Festival in May.

Regional Councils are designed for Leadership California program Alumnae to expand their local networking to other Alumnae and to continue their efforts on behalf of women’s leadership across California. Above, San Diego Regional Council members. To join a Leadership California Regional Council, click here.

For Regional Events Schedule Click HERE>
_________________________________________

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS____________________________

More PHOTOS and STORIES from Sessions and Events>

Legacy of Leadership Awards Honor Buik, Chu, State Farm

From left: Maria Contreras-Sweet, Diane Dixon, Honorees Elise Buik and Judy Chu, Gwen Moore, Pam Hemann.

Leadership California alumnae, supporters, friends and members of the Class of 2009 celebrated extraordinary leaders at the Legacy of Leadership Awards Dinner on May 4 in Los Angeles.

"The leadership of our honorees, Elise Buik, Dr. Judy Chu, and State Farm, has made a difference in the lives of the people of California," said Pam Hemann, Leadership California's Executive Director. "We are pleased to have Ms. Buik and Dr. Chu share their stories and to honor their achievements on this special occasion. We are also pleased to honor State Farm, a company that has proudly supported women's leadership in its executive ranks, senior management, and on its Board." Honorary Dinner Co-Chairs were Diane Dixon, Sr. Vice President, Worldwide Communications, Avery Dennison; and Gwen Moore, President, GeM Communications Group, and former California Assemblymember. Mistress of Ceremonies was Maria Contreras-Sweet, Founder and Chairwoman, PROMÉRICA Bank.
For news on the 2010 Awards Dinner
Click HERE> 

Honoree Elise Buik and Co-Chair Diane Dixon

Co-Chair Gwen Moore and Honoree Judy Chu, Ph.D.

Judy Chu, Ph.D., is Vice Chair of the California State Board of Equalization and is currently running for the 32nd District seat in the U.S. Congress. Elise Buik is President & CEO of United Way of Greater Los Angeles. Both honorees are successful leaders of powerful organizations, though neither envisioned herself in a leadership role at the outset. Judy Chu felt drawn to community service when immigrants endured discrimination in her community; Elise Buik stepped up to lead from within her organization.

Maria Contreras-Sweet gives the Corporate Leader Award to State Farm

State Farm has supported Leadership California since 1995, with 35 alumnae and current classmembers in the California Issues and Trends program, and has provided generous financial support for the program. Read an exclusive interview with Kaye Lindsey, State Farm California Operations VP

Thank You to our 2009
Legacy of Leadership Awards Sponsors:


 

LEADERSHIP CALIFORNIA
PAST PRESIDENTS & BOARD


___________________

SARAH SMITH ORR
___________________

___________________

ERIK J. MIETHKE
___________________

Looking Forward: Session III
August 2-4, 2009
California’s Global Business & Economy:
Opportunities & Challenges
San Francisco

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Class will Tour Cisco Systems, Inc. 
in Silicon Valley
 

The Cisco campus, San Jose

A bus tour to the Silicon Valley headquarters of Cisco Systems, Inc. will be a highlight of Session III. Included in the visit will be a dialog with company executives. Cisco engineers led early development of Internet Protocol (IP)-based networking technologies. The company's hardware, software, and services create the routing and switching Internet connections that make networks possible. Cisco has more than 66,500 employees and ten divisions worldwide: Networking Data Centers, Digital Media, IPICS, Mobility, Security, Storage Networking, TelePresence, Unified Communications, Video, and Virtualization. 

 

Kei Matsuda, Director of Economic Research, Union Bank, will give a capsule look at California's role in the global economy and industry segments driving California's economy. 



Larraine Segil, Larraine Segil Inc., will speak on strategic business alliances and the art of negotiation. She is a senior research fellow at the University of Texas and lecturer on global alliance at Caltech in Pasadena.

"Meeting the Gap: Education to Workforce" will feature a policy discussion on filling the need for highly educated, skilled employees for California's growing service and technology sectors.

Leadership California’s Silicon Valley Regional Council will host a reception for the class of 2009.



A panel of women leaders will discuss California's current and future needs for a trained and ready workforce.



Barbara Kaufman, Ph.D., left, and Sally Helgesen, right, with Executive Director Pam Hemann, will continue the Leadership Series with "Managing Yourself Part II: Creating and Using Networks."

See you on August 2!


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