Leadership California CIT Alumnae    California Issues and Trends Class of 2009 Graduation Alumnae of the California Issues and Trends Program (CIT) become members of the California Women’s Leadership Forum. It is composed of CIT’s more than 1,000 graduates, a diverse group of women leaders across the state and country who support Leadership California. Click here to view demographic profiles of CIT Program Alumnae. In a variety of ways, Leadership California supports a regional network across California of its CIT Alumnae and other women leaders in California. Programs focus on updating CIT Alumnae on California Issues and Trends. We do this through special meetings of Alumnae with their state legislators in the local districts, and through sessions that enable the rich exchange of information and ideas among the more than 1,000 CIT Alumnae from the public and private sectors. These forums link CIT Alumnae to leadership opportunities at the local, regional and state levels. Leadership California’s women leaders are poised to have an impact on the critical issues facing our state through service on nonprofit organization boards and public entity boards and commissions. Click here to read the profiles of some of our successful alumnae. Leadership California's Executive Advisory Council Click here to meet Leadership California’s Executive Advisory Council, which includes men and women from California and across the nation who have a commitment to the mission, vision and values of Leadership California. Leadership California's Executive Board Meet Leadership California’s Executive Board, which includes women from California's corporations, academic institutions, organizations, government and entrepreneurial enterprises across the state:   Debbie Manning President Debbie is a Senate appointee to the California Council on Criminal Justice, a board that is based in the California Emergency Management Agency. The council is the statewide grantmaking authority for law enforcement, using state and federal funding. Previously, Debbie served as the Deputy Chief Sergeant at Arms of the California State Senate, the first woman to hold the position, until her retirement in 2008, after over 31 years. Since her retirement, she has been busy with a number of non-profit organizations that deal with women and youth leadership. Debbie is a 2002 graduate of the Leadership California program and has served on its board for 6 years. As a founding member of the Black Youth Leadership Program, she continues her work on the nationally recognized and honored program that exposes students from across the state to California government and politics. She is currently working with a group to increase African American registration as blood and bone marrow transplant donors. Debbie is a member of a Regional Education Collaborative that is working to improve the high school graduation rate of Sacramento County and the six counties surrounding it. Debbie holds several certificates in Law Enforcement Management, emergency management and executive protection, from the United States Secret Service, FBI, CA Highway Patrol and others. Debbie served as Vice President of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals Northern CA chapter. She consults with organizations on leadership issues, staff development and mentoring, and does event planning and fundraising for local non-profit community groups. She lectures on Women in the Legislature (A Historical Perspective) and the Legislative process. Debbie is a graduate of the University of California, Davis, majoring in Political Science, with a minor in Public Service/Administration. Yvette Herrera First Vice President   With nearly 20 years of combined professional and volunteer experience in corporate marketing, non-profit administration and fundraising, Yvette founded HT Group in 2002. She believes that the passion of non-profits and the best practices of corporations should not be mutually exclusive. As Marketing Director for PricewaterhouseCoopers, and before that, as Communications Director of Internet company NetCount, Yvette specialized in developing strategic alliances and other innovative and resource-efficient ways to generate publicity and increase market share. At United Way of Greater Los Angeles, Yvette worked closely with social service agencies in the San Fernando Valley, particularly those experiencing financial or leadership difficulties, spearheaded community outreach to the growing Asian Pacific community and coordinated grant distribution of over a million dollars. Yvette received her BA from Scripps College in Claremont, California. She was recognized as National Big Sister of the Year by Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America in 1993 and as Scripps College Outstanding Recent Alumna in 2000. She is a graduate of Leadership California, Class of 1995 and earned a certificate from the UCLA Anderson School of Business, Price Entrepreneurial Center in 2007. Yvette currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Burbank Community YMCA and Leadership California. Paula March, CFRE Second Vice President Paula is the Principal of Marchpartners, a fund development consulting group working with a wide variety of clients from the arts to social services. Educated at Santa Clara University, John F. Kennedy University and Fielding University, Paula has a Masters Degree in Museum Studies and is certified in Foundation Management. She served as Deputy Director for Marketing for the Fine Arts Museums and as Chief Development Officer for Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Paula recently served on the board of Leadership San Francisco, an affiliate of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce focusing on building community trusteeship, and is an active board member for the San Francisco Education Fund and Pocket Opera. Dana Kracke Treasurer Dana Kracke is a director for Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison, one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric utilities, and of Edison Mission Group (EMG), a competitive power generation business and parent company to Edison Mission Energy and Edison Capital. Ms. Kracke reports to the Chief Financial Officer of Edison International and is responsible for multiple functions including Risk Management, Performance Measurement and Management, as well as various strategic initiatives. Her 20 years of experience include executive positions at Edison International, Southern California Edison, and Edison Mission Energy. She has broad experience in Finance and Accounting functions, including Strategy, Business Development, Financial Planning & Analysis, Risk Control, Billing, Credit, Collections, Accounts Receivable, Remittances, Budgeting, and financial information systems. In addition, she has led major projects in multiple industry sectors including electricity, water, telecommunications, and oil pipelines. Ms. Kracke earned an MBA and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, with an academic focus in Finance and Entrepreneurial Studies from the University of California, Irvine. She is also a graduate of the Director Development Program at the Kellogg School of Business, Northwestern University. Eleanor “Felicia” Brannon Secretary  Eleanor “Felicia” Brannon has served professionally in the field of government/community relations for over 14 years in the nonprofit, public, private and academic sectors. Felicia has shared her knowledge with various nonprofit organizations such as the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce, Volunteer Center of Los Angeles, Opera Noir, Women’s Transportation Seminar, the Regional Advisory Council for the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), Sister Self and Habitat for Humanity—Los Angeles, just to name a few. Currently, Felicia is the Executive Director, Local Government and Community Relations, UCLA. In this role she provides leadership to the office of External Affairs on issues concerning UCLA’s relationship with local government, neighborhood groups, homeowner associations, the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education, the Community College Board, and other local stakeholders in the greater Los Angeles community. Felicia also provides community relations expertise to UCLA's senior leadership in Capital Programs in the areas of land use planning and campus neighborhood impacts. Ms. Brannon received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from California State University Northridge, and her Masters degree in Public Administration. She is an alumna of Leadership California’s California Issues & Trends Program and the Southern California Leadership Network. For fun, she enjoys reading, hiking, and cooking. Cathleen Greiner Immediate Past President Cathleen, Assistant Superintendent and Vice President of Student Learning at Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, has a long career in education and higher education with expertise in leadership, administration and management, institutional research, assessment and strategic planning, academic policy research and analysis, teaching and coursework, and program review and development. As an educational leader, her professional interests include the future of and changes in higher education, institutional review and academic quality assessment, and the globalization of learning and information.  Cindi JeNiel Anderson Executive Board Member  Cindi Anderson, CLU is Agency Field Executive for State Farm Insurance in San Francisco. In this leadership position she oversees 53 independent contractor agents as well as the team of people who support them. Cindi began her career with State Farm as an agent in Sunnyvale California. From 1983 until 1995, she successfully built an agency from scratch into a thriving business. During that time she was a consistent qualifier for high-level award programs and earned recognition in both profit and top sales. In 1995, Cindi was recruited as an Agency Field Consultant and promoted to her current position of Agency Field Executive in 1998. During this time she earned her CLU designation from the American College, completed the performance leadership class at Darden Graduate School of Business Administration University of Virginia and is a graduate of Leadership California Annual Issues program class of 2003. Cindi currently serves on the Board of Leadership California and recently completed a three year term on the PIFPAC Board.  Lucy Armendariz Executive Board Member   Judge Lucy Armendariz serves on the State Bar Court as a hearing judge. Prior to this appointment, she was chief of staff to California State Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero. Prior to joining the State Senate, Lucy worked as an attorney with the law firm Heller, Ehrman, White and McAuliffe, as an ombudsman with the California Department of Corrections, and as Counsel to the Assembly Committee on Public Safety. Lucy's life story is one of inspiration and remarkable accomplishments in spite of overwhelming odds. Despite growing up in foster homes, she focused on her education, taking advantage of every opportunity available to her. She excelled academically and continued her education at the University of California at Los Angeles, ultimately earning her law degree and becoming an attorney. Lucy is a single mother who currently resides in Los Angeles with her daughter Jourdan. William D. Arndt Executive Board Member  William D. Arndt is Vice President, Transmission and Distribution, Business Operations at Pacific Gas and Electric Company, where he oversees the execution and implementation of key business change initiatives. He has experience in operational and financial performance, customer relations, and business planning, with a background of more than 19 years in management leadership roles at Exelon Corporation and General Electric. Arndt is a 1980 graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY, where he earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in marine engineering. He is a retired U.S. Naval Reserve Lieutenant.   Donna Burke Executive Board Member   Donna Burke is Executive Director, External Affairs at AT&T. She has worked in some aspect of public affairs at AT&T for more than 20 years, including media relations, employee information and community relations.    In her current role, she participates on several community boards, including Capital Public Radio, Folsom Lake Community College Foundation, El Dorado Hills Chamber, California Women Lead - Sacramento Region and Asian Resources, Inc. In addition to her board assignments, she manages philanthropic contributions, ensures decision makers and community leaders are updated on telecommunications policy, represents AT&T on numerous panels, economic summits and workshops and helps promote AT&T products and services.    Prior to her current assignment, Ms. Burke spent eight years in Michigan where she was vice president of external affairs for the state. She managed an $8 million budget, supervised up to 20 managers and was responsible for coordinating community investment opportunities on behalf of AT&T.    Ms. Burke has an undergraduate degree in journalism from California State University, Fresno.   She and her husband Greg have two sons, Devan and Kellien. Molly Cartmill Executive Board Member   Molly Cartmill is director of local government relations at Sempra Energy, a San Diego-based Fortune 500 energy services holding company whose subsidiaries provide electricity, natural gas and value-added products and services. Cartmill is charged with managing relationships with local government officials in southern California, local political contributions and the company’s political action committee. She has been with the company for nineteen years, holding a variety of management positions in marketing, marketing communications, corporate communications, corporate philanthropy and community relations. She was also founding executive director of the Sempra Energy Foundation in 2007. A graduate of San Diego State University, Cartmill enjoys an active volunteer role in community service, serving as co-chair of LEAD San Diego’s Leadership Trust. She also serves on the boards of the San Diego Workforce Partnership, Downtown San Diego Partnership and the Jenna Druck Foundation. She is a member of the Downtown San Diego Lions Club, Business for Social Responsibility, the Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College and the Community and Public Issues Council of the Conference Board. She is a 2004 graduate of Leadership America, a 2002 graduate of Leadership California and a 1999 graduate of LEAD San Diego. She received a Tribute to Women in Industry award in 1999, LEAD’s Graduate of the Year award in 2007 and a 2008 Cool Woman award from the San Diego-Imperial Chapter of the Girl Scouts of America. She is currently a 2009 graduate degree candidate, earning a Master of Science degree in Executive Leadership form the University of San Diego. Chris Coats Executive Board Member  Chris is currently Senior Director of Business Operations for Symantec. She was previously Division Controller at the Silicon Valley Development Lab for IBM in San Jose. At IBM, Chris’ responsibilities for Information Management included monthly measurement reporting, WW capital and royalty planning, business controls and financial systems. Chris managed six business planning direct reports and an expense controller with a team of 14 financial analysts. Debra Esparza Executive Board Member Debra Esparza is Chief Operating Officer of Girl Scouts - San Diego Imperial Council. She previously served as CEO at the Girl Scout Council of Greater Long Beach. Her consulting firm, Esparza & Associates, worked with U.S. Small Business Administration, City of Los Angeles Dept. of Economic Development, Los Angeles Times, Women’s Enterprise Development Corporation, Cal State Long Beach, and SBDCs throughout Southern California. She founded and directed the Business Expansion Network and served as an Adjunct Professor in the Entrepreneur Program at the University of Southern California. A former banker, she teaches classes on finance and business planning. She is a Leadership California alumna, class of 1995. Gayle Ilana Miller Executive Board Member   Ms. Miller is the Staff Director for the Senate Revenue and Taxation committee, where she is responsible for analyzing and drafting legislation and coordinating tax policy as it relates to the State budget, including large scale negotiations between the state and California businesses. Previously, Ms. Miller served as a consultant to the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee and also the Assembly Transportation Committee, was Legislative Director for Assembly Member Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) and Legislative Aide to then Assembly Member Tom Torlakson (D-Antioch). In addition to her work in the Legislature, Gayle served as the Director of Government Affairs at WellPoint. Ms. Miller is a graduate of the University of California at Davis with degrees in Political Science and Spanish and also holds two Masters of Business Administration from the Haas School of Business, specializing in marketing at the University of California at Berkeley and the Columbia University School of Business, specializing in finance. Ms. Miller is active with community organizations including the Center for Contemporary Art in Sacramento, the UC Davis Board of Directors and the Haas Leadership Council. In her free time, Ms. Miller enjoys spending time with her husband and son, reading, hiking and traveling. Marily Mondejar Executive Board Member Marily is a senior business leader with wide-ranging global experience as an entrepreneur, strategist and advisor to leading organizations. She was raised in an entrepreneurial family environment, which owned multiple business operations in publishing, security intelligence services and movie production. She began her career with the largest distributor of U.S. consumer goods in the Philippines and went on to become one of only two women in sales management for the Thailand distributor for Time Life Books Southeast Asia before joining the Security Pacific National Bank as one of its officers and Lee Hecht Harrison as a career transition consultant.   Her extensive work experience as a woman of color and being financially responsible for her young family steered her to start her own an organization development and career coaching practice. She advised executives on leadership and career derailment issues, and consulted on corporate image strategies, merger implications, scenario planning, and how to maximize performance, through work with executive teams, alliance-building, and inter-cultural communications. Select clients included Cemex, Siebel, and Webex.    In 2009, she ended a notable 25-year business career to devote full-time as the founding president of the Filipina Women’s Network, the nonprofit association for women of Philippine ancestry in the U.S., an organization she grew from 50 members in 2002 to over 4,800 list members today.    Marily serves (and has served) on nonprofit boards and commissions including the Sweatfree Procurement Advisory Group, the Friends of the San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women, the Justice and Courage Oversight Panel, Image Industry Council International, the American Society for Training and Development and many others. After raising two sons as a single mom, she returned to school and earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in organization development and leadership from New College of California. She has completed doctoral course work in organizational psychology at Alliant International University. Susan Shirasawa Muranishi Executive Board Member   Susan Shirasawa Muranishi was appointed as the County Administrator of Alameda County by the Board of Supervisors in December 1995 and is responsible for managing 9,000 County employees, with a budget of almost $2.3 billion and population of 1.5 million. Susan is the first woman to be appointed as County Administrator in Alameda County and was the first Asian-American woman County Administrator in the state. Prior to her appointment, Susan served as the Assistant County Administrator. Susan provides professional, innovative and proactive leadership through responsible fiscal and administrative policy development and program oversight. Susan is a supporter and member of community, school and non-profit organizations including: Safe Passages/Youth Ventures Joint Powers Authority; Founding Member, California Asian Public Administrators Network and Caucus of Elected Asians (PANACEA); Executive Committee, East Bay Economic Development Alliance; County Administrative Officers Association of California; Government Finance Officers Association; International City/County Management Association, Leadership California, Heads-Up and others. Susan graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. She and her husband live in Oakland, California and have two sons. Sheron Violini Executive Board Member  Sheron Violini is the Deputy Executive Officer of the California State Senate. Previously, she was Deputy Chief of Staff to Senator Dick Ackerman (R-33 Tustin/Orange County). In this capacity she utilized extensive legislative and administrative experience to serve as Senator Ackerman’s policy advisor. She was also responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of Senator Ackerman’s Capitol office and District office staff. During her tenure with the California State Legislature, Sheron has served in various roles. She has acquired a thorough understanding of the legislative process and has shepherded numerous bills through the Legislature with several of them becoming law. Prior to working for Senator Ackerman, she worked in the private sector. Sheron is a member of the Northern California Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, which is dedicated to finding a cure and assisting families. In addition to assisting the MS Society at the state level, she travels to Washington D.C. to speak at their annual national conference. Sheron has a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of California at Davis, and a Master’s degree in Public History from California State University at Sacramento. Maggie T. Watkins Executive Board Member  Maggie Watkins  is the Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer of Best Best & Krieger LLP, a California based law firm with eight offices. She is responsible for all of the firm’s marketing, business development and communications initiatives.   Formerly, Maggie was the chief marketing officer and Director of Marketing and Communications at LECG, an international publicly traded expert services and consulting firm; and President of Meritas, a network of business law firms.   Ms. Watkins has more than 25 years of experience as a seasoned professional services executive with strategic planning, marketing, public relations, communications, community relations, sales and business development, and client relations expertise. She has tenure with a large regional law firm and several local and international accounting and insurance firms.   Ms. Watkins is a very active volunteer in professional and community organizations, including the Law Marketing Association (LMA) and the Association of Accounting Marketing (AAM). She has served on numerous boards such as the Peninsula YMCA, Women in Business – San Diego Chapter, Republican Businesswomen and The East County Performing Arts Center, to name a few.   A frequent speaker, Ms. Watkins regularly addresses management, professional and non-profit groups on a variety of topics.  Ms. Watkins is a graduate of University of California, Los Angeles.     Nancy Kim Yun Executive Board Member   Nancy is currently the Director of Boeing's Integrated Shipboard Systems in Anaheim, where she is responsible for Navigation Programs, Payloads and Sensors, and Naval C4I pursuits for U.S. and abroad. Prior to the current assignment, Nancy was the Director of Business Development and Advanced Systems at Boeing. Nancy was responsible for domestic and international marketing, research and development and strategic development.  Before joining Boeing, Nancy spent several years as a strategy consultant for Fortune 200 companies. Nancy started out her career in software engineering and managed USAF's strategic programs. Nancy received her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science and Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology from University of California, Irvine (Cum Laude) and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA. She lives with her husband and their three children in Seal Beach, California. Leadership California Staff  Pamela Hemann, CAE Executive Director Pamela Hemann, CAE has served as Executive Director of Leadership California since 1999. She has been involved with the organization since 1992, and participated in the launch of the first California Issues and Trends Program. During her service as executive director, Leadership California has expanded its outreach and fundraising efforts, launched the California Women’s Leadership Forum, and re-established the Annual Awards Dinner. Prior to Leadership California, Pam held positions with trade associations and professional societies in Washington, D.C. She is a Certified Association Executive and chair of the American Society of Association Executives. In her community, she is immediate past president of the Pasadena Center Operation Company and a former board member of the Pasadena Pops Orchestra. She holds degrees from the University of Denver and the University of Nebraska. Carol Caley, MFA Marketing Director Carol Caley is the Marketing Director of Leadership California, and brings to the organization her background in creative marketing communications and branding for businesses and institutions. She has developed branding identities, presentation materials, corporate communications, publications and advertising for numerous organizations and for clients in the energy, biomedical, health, food and women's markets. Carol Caley has served on the executive board of Women in Design-LA where she has planned events including portfolio reviews, gallery shows, and design business programs. She taught graphic design at Pasadena City College and Mt. Sierra College, and served on their Digital Media Advisory Boards. Carol served on the executive board of the National Association of Women Business Owners-Los Angeles. Articles about her creative studios, Carol Caley & Associates and Carol Caley Design Associates have been published in the Los Angeles Times and Wells Fargo’s Business magazine. Yvette Dominguez Administrative Director Ms. Dominguez has served Leadership California since 1997 in administrative and information management positions. Her special capabilities are in communications, current class and graduate relations, and assisting with many facets of the California Issues and Trends Program. She completed her degree at California State University at Los Angeles in educational development in 1999. Carrie Calkins Development Director Carrie Calkins brings great experience in fundraising, grant writing, volunteer management and corporate events, having served for over three years as a Corporate Events Director for the American Heart Association. Her Board of Director positions have included organizations such as Leadership Lincoln, the American Heart Association START Heart Walk, Go Red for Women, The Dance Shack and The Dance Effect. She is also an active part of You’re the Cure network. Before moving to California, Carrie spent many years as owner and co-director of two dance studios. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies and Master’s Degree in Family Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.    Faculty and Speakers Leadership California has assembled a core faculty of experts, across a wide range of subject matter, augmented by high-level speakers on California’s critical issues. Jean Lipman-Blumen, Ph.D. Claremont Graduate University Professor Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management William Deverell, Ph.D. Director Huntington-USC Institute on California and the West  Diane Boyer-Vine Legislative Counsel State of California Barbara Kaufman, Ph.D. President ROI Consulting Group Keitaro Matsuda Director of Economic Research Union Bank Mary O’Hara-Devereaux, Ph.D. CEO, Global Foresight Professor, Peking University Larraine Segil President Larraine Segil, Inc. James Mayer Executive Director California Forward  Sarah Weddington, J.D. Attorney, Author and Speaker Professor, University of Texas, Austin Winning attorney, Roe v. Wade. Julie Meier Wright President and CEO San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp.  Dede Alpert Former State Senator S. Kimberly Belshé Secretary California Health & Human Services Agency State of California Stephanie Gallo Vice President, Marketing  E&J Gallo Winery  Fiona Ma Assemblymember  State of California  Lois Wolk Senator  State of California  Denise Morrison Senior Vice President & President North America Soup, Sauces & Beverages Campbell's Soup Company USA Lydia Beebe Corporate Secretary & Chief Compliance Officer Chevron Corporation Gregory Schmidt Secretary of the Senate State of California Maggie Wilderotter CEO Frontier Communication

From our Alumnae:  “Leadership California brings together professional women from the corporate, non-profit and public sector via its California Issues and Trends program to provide the latest information on critical issues facing our state with the goal of developing a network of informed leaders. I know that my network has been greatly enriched by these amazing women!” —Elmy Bermejo  Director of Intergovernmental Affairs U.S. Department of Labor   “Being part of Leadership California is a terrific experience! It gave me the chance to meet and interact with successful women from other industries and learn from their experiences. The ongoing friendship and support of the Leadership California network has been a great resource for me. I especially appreciated the diversity of back-grounds: education, business, government, private and non-profit sectors. We all were able to learn so much from one another. I encourage other women to take advantage of this program. The Leadership California experience is one that I will cherish.” —Rita Lane Global iPhone Sales Apple, Inc.  “The Leadership California Program introduced me to new possibilities personally and professionally. I was in the one of the early classes—Class of ‘95. It doesn't sound so long ago— but it was. We had a program session in the Silicon Valley where most of us (me included) experienced going on the Internet for the very first time! The experience had a profound effect on me—this web thing was going to be big and I wanted to be a part of it. I was inspired to make a dramatic career shift— leaving the relative safety of the non-profit sector to join the team of an Internet start-up. The move definitely jump-started my professional development, positioning me for rapid career advancement and eventual entrepreneurship. When I started my own marketing firm, one of my early clients was a newly promoted CEO and old friend, a former Leadership California classmate.” —Yvette Herrera HT Group Strategic Marketing “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 Graphic Designer and Marketing Assistant California Bear Credit Union “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 Peta Penson, left, with Barbara Kaufman “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. “I was a participant in the Leadership California class of 1996. I had recently become a full-time faculty member at Cerritos College. Since that time, I have earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of California, Los Angeles, and become the Dean of a large instructional division. My experience changed my life. I do not believe I would have found the courage to return to school or change positions without my Leadership California experience. Now, my colleague is extremely excited about her participation in this year’s class. But I knew the organization would more than meet her expectations! It is truly a life-changing experience.” —Linda Rose, Ed.D. Instructional Dean, Liberal Arts Division Cerritos College