"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.
   


Vision
"Moving Women from Success to Significance"

Mission
The mission of Leadership California is to increase the number of educated, motivated and accomplished women leaders in the arenas of business and community, and to engage them around cutting-edge trends and big issues facing California from state, national, and global perspectives.

Who We Are
Leadership California is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) foundation with a governing Board of Directors and dedicated staff.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion as principles that are essential to not only the look but the spirit of Leadership California. We believe we must reflect all the women of California, not just one geographical area, not just one ethnic group, not just one sector. Our imperative is to bring women together to learn from one another, and to see the California that all of them represent.

Diversity and inclusion are a critical core competency for our board and staff and the organization as a whole. We believe it is what powers our success and sustainability. We believe our commitment must be seen in the women we serve, our faculty and presenters, the experiences and intellectual content we provide, the legacy of leadership we foster, and in those we honor.

Class of 2007 in Session
CIT Classes in Session

Our Story
Leadership California is a network of over 1,000 accomplished women leaders dedicated to advancing the leadership role of women in California. This growing, diverse network comes from Leadership California’s unique California Issues & Trends Program (CIT), which graduates 60 women each year with new understanding of the complex global, national and state issues facing California.

Since 1988, Leadership California has enhanced women’s leadership throughout California by providing a forum for women to strengthen their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing the state. Our network of over 1,000 accomplished leaders is composed of women from from diverse ethnic, regional, and business backgrounds. With this strong focus on diversity, Leadership California continues to grow and touch California’s communities and businesses. Through our programs, the women of Leadership California make a commitment to the changing face of California.

Leadership California partners with corporate, academic, government and community organizations to financially support our mission, and to include their women leaders in our California Issues & Trends Program (CIT). We fulfill our mission through unique learning and networking opportunities to empower and prepare our women to take effective action.

Our Program
The primary vehicle for enhancing leadership perspectives is the California Issues & Trends Program (CIT), a tuition-based program launched in 1992. Conducted quarterly at sessions around the state, the CIT exposes 60 women each year to diverse perspectives and points of view relating to issues and approaches beyond their own disciplines and areas of expertise. Through a variety of learning formats, they hear from experts on such thought-provoking subjects as changing demographics, global perspectives on business and the economy, education, health care challenges, building your power network, and public policy development. There is high value in understanding the leadership demands and the overall implications for their organization and community through examination of big issues and trends.

Click here for program details.
Click here to request a program application.

Alumnae of the California Issues and Trends (CIT) Program
 
Alumnae of our programs successfully fill roles as college and university presidents, high-ranking executives in corporate America, members of state legislatures and the U.S. Congress, public officials, successful entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders.

Alumnae continue the dialog in sessions that promote the rich exchange of ideas and information, giving them additional tools to take back and apply.

Click here to read the profiles of some of our successful alumnae.
   
Alumnae Nancy Carol Reagan ('08), 
left, and Sheron Violini ('02)

Our Sponsors
Leadership California is strengthened by the financial contributions and meaningful involvement of corporations, foundations and individuals from across California. We integrate sponsor partners by involving them in sessions as speakers, introducers, and with guest attendance at their sponsored session. Throughout the year, we recognize all of our sponsors on our website, on session signage, on printed materials, and in our booth exhibits at outreach events in California.

California Issues & Trends Program sponsorship begins at $2,500 at the Event Partner level and exceeds $25,000 at the Strategic Partner level.

Click here for additional information on supporting Leadership California.

 


 



 

 
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