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Tickets & Table Sponsorships Now Available for 2009 Awards Dinner
Monday, May 4, 2009
Omni Hotel, Los Angeles
Click Here to purchase Tickets and Table Sponsorships
Community Leader Award:
 ELISE BUIK
President & CEO
United Way of Greater Los Angeles
The first female president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, she is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children living in poverty and for the 80,000 homeless people in Los Angeles County.
State Leader Award:
 JUDY CHU, Ph.D.
Chair, California State Board of Equalization
Dr. Judy Chu is Chair of the California State Board of Equalization and a three-term State Assembly Member. Formerly a mayor, city council member, school board member and community college professor, she has served the people of California as a distinguished leader.
Corporate Leader Award:
 STATE FARM
State Farm values the inclusion of women on its board and in its executive suites. Since 1995, State Farm has provided 35 CIT alumnae and generous financial support for Leadership California's programs.
Honorary Co-Chairs:
Diane Dixon, Sr. Vice President, Worldwide Communications, Avery Dennison; and Gwen Moore, President, GeM Communications Group, and former California Assemblymember.
For more information call: 626/793-7834
Pam Hemann: pam@leadershipcalifornia.org
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Alumnae, Here's an opportunity to share your news. Have a story like these? Email to: carol@leadershipcalifornia.org
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 Dorothy Farris chosen VP, Worldwide Sales at Jupiter Systems
Dorothy Farris ('03), who served as president of Leadership California in 2006-2007, has been named V.P., Worldwide Sales for Jupiter Systems, the industry leader in display wall processors. Farris brings over 20 years of sales management and global channel building experience in the AV, IT, and computer industries. She will be responsible for managing and building Jupiter's worldwide sales efforts.
Farris previously was V.P., Sales at Wyse Technology, Inc., and V.P. Sales Americas, at Viewsonic Corporation. She also held sales operations and consulting positions at Futurelink Corporation, Cyrix Corporation, Allied Signal Aerospace, and Epson America. She also served at Compaq Computer Corporation, Exxon Office Systems, and IBM.
Farris holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology. She is a member of the National Advisory Board for the Women's Museum in Dallas and a board of trustees member of The Chicago School of Psychology. She was one of 100 women invited to join Leadership America in its class of 1991.
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 Donna Lum Named CalPERS
Assistant Executive Officer of
Member and Benefit Services
Donna Lum ('07) has been named Assistant Executive Officer of the Member and Benefit Services Branch for the California Public Employees’ Retirement System. She is the senior executive overseeing the administration of retirement benefits and services to 1.6 million active and retired California public employees and their families. She directs over 750 staff in eight regional offices throughout California.
Donna was previously the Chief of CalPERS Benefit Services Division, and was Chief of Information Technology at the California Department of Education and the Department of Toxic Substances Control.
Donna holds a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from National University and is a graduate of the UC Davis Executive Leadership Program.
You're Invited!
Alumnae of the California Issues & Trends Program hold Regional Council meetings across the state to expand opportunities for local networking and to build visibility and support for Leadership California in specific regions. To join a Leadership California Regional Council, click here.
In 2008, you provided a way for eight women in this group to attend the CIT Program. Thanks to you, scholarships made the program a reality for entrepreneurial women and women from the nonprofit sector.
The CIT Alumnae Annual Giving Campaign is now in full swing. Now you can donate online at our Firstgiving site. Take the next step on your journey of a lifetime—by helping someone start her journey in 2009. It's very easy to give back...start now by clicking here:
 The Claremont McKenna College Kravis Institute will sponsor the 19th Annual Kravis-de Roulet Conference on February 27, 2009, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles, called "Leading Social Change: Entrepreneurial Solutions, Cross-Sector Collaborations."
The conference will highlight the efforts of social entrepreneurs as they strive to change the world through innovative solutions to global social problems. Details and registration at: http://www.cmc.edu/kli/conference/
Do you know an amazing woman who could benefit from attending Leadership California's Program?
We're looking for successful women to join us for the journey of a lifetime, where they can grow their leadership insights, build a power network, make a positive difference in their professional lives and envision a role in California's future.
Click here to request an application.
Alumnae, if you've achieved a career goal, reached an educational objective, received an honor, or have another accomplishment to share, we'd like to publish your news. Please contact Carol Caley: carol@leadershipcalifornia.org
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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.
A Conversation with Elise Buik:
Leadership Means Greater Good for Greater LA
By Carol Caley
For her outstanding leadership in crafting innovative ways to tackle social and economic problems, Elise Buik will receive the Community Leader Award at Leadership California’s Legacy of Leadership Awards Dinner, to be held May 4 in Los Angeles. We spent an hour with her recently at her downtown Los Angeles office:
Q: Elise, you've promoted an ambitious 10-point program with initiatives from ending homelessness, to ensuring students do their homework, to job training, to literacy programs. That’s a big agenda. How has the recent nationwide economic crisis affected your programs at United Way of Greater Los Angeles?
A: Our old approach was broad, sort of an all-things-to-all-people. The 10-point plan is actually a focused effort on three critical areas: education, financial stability and basic needs. We are no longer all things to all people. We’re focused. The two toughest issues are homelessness and our efforts to increase the high school graduation rate.
| “Bad times are a chance to do some long-range thinking.” |
The big change for United Way is that we have moved into policymaking and systems change, rather than trying to address issues solely through grantmaking. This way, we can affect hundreds of thousands of lives in a positive way. We can fund our partners to do, say, tutoring for individual students or programs to help engage parents in their children’s’ learning. But if we look at the big picture and work to change LAUSD district policy, we can do so much more. This is a big shift.
There is no doubt that we are seeing increased demand for basic needs, such as housing, in the current economic environment. There are 1.5 million homeless people across the nation and 73,000 homeless people here in Los Angeles County, and that will definitely increase.
People can be employed, but if they spend an inordinate amount of their income on housing, this puts them at risk. We know if kids graduate, they have the potential for higher earnings. All these issues are interconnected. It’s necessary to identify the root causes.
I want to emphasize that as bad as this seems, the situation represents an opportunity. When prior processes haven’t worked or are overburdened, this is a chance for new models, new solutions, new compromises. Bad times are a chance to do some long-range thinking and can present opportunities for a breakthrough.
Q: You are an alumna of the Leadership California program, class of 2006. Did the program give you insights that help you in your work now?
A: Leadership California presents a unique cross-section of women from many sectors: businesses, nonprofits, government, entrepreneurships, and academic institutions. The program connected me to that network. In Los Angeles County, in order to find solutions for people, we need to find intersections where people from all of these sectors can come together.
Q: How has being a female leader affected your career? Did you have any mentors? Have you ever experienced the glass ceiling?
A: I joined United Way in 1995 as the head of marketing, having worked in the private sector before that. My original aspiration was to be COO. I always liked operations, because it is behind the scenes.
| “I had my own glass ceiling in my head.” |
It’s good to have different mentors. I was lucky to have Joe Haggerty. He always believed in me and encouraged me to assume more responsibility. [Haggerty currently serves as COO for United Way of America, having served for 25 years in executive positions with United Way in cities across the country. When Joe left, he urged me to apply for the presidency. The funny thing is, I thought I was not presidential material. I had my own glass ceiling in my head.
I think female leaders may tend to second-guess themselves. One thing Joe taught me: Stay true to yourself. Now I enjoy going out in the community, being the public face of the organization. But I do think there is some gender bias out there still.
| “Leadership in general has changed from a hierarchical command-and-control style to one where the focus is not on me but on the organization.” |
I’ve had a mix of male and female mentors. In the past, leadership has been defined in masculine, assertive traits. If that’s not who you are, how do you assert yourself? In the last 10 years, leadership has changed from a hierarchical command-and-control style to one where the focus is not on me but on the organization. Even our public leaders are changing—we have a new role model at the White House.
Q: How did you graduate from a “worker bee” to a leader?
A: By being honest with myself and true to myself. I told the board that I had a huge fear of public speaking. I got a coach, and I got better at it. Now I speak all the time. Candid feedback is what it takes, and the willingness to be in a learning mode. Recognizing weaknesses makes you stronger. The board is willing to bring in the help I need. Now I’m working with a management coach.
Q: As the mom of young children, how do you feel about work/life balance?
A: I get asked this a lot. You can have it all, but there are tradeoffs. My husband is a writer who works at home, and the tradeoff was that he would assume more childcare responsibilities. I worry sometimes that we mislead our female counterparts on this. I didn’t pick my husband thinking, “Can he handle more childcare?” For our family, it wouldn’t work to have two high-power careers. Our priority is that one of us is with the kids.
| “Not feeling guilty about the choices you make is part of it.” |
Work-life balance is always hard. I started late. By the time I had my children—they’re 7 and 5 now—I had been a career person for twenty years. Not feeling guilty about the choices you make is part of it. I now make it a priority to leave work at a decent hour once or twice a week to get a workout in, otherwise I’m not going to be good on the job or a good mom.
Q: Who do you admire?
A: The individuals and families I meet in the community who overcome tremendous odds to improve their lives—those are the people I admire. I just met a woman who lost her job and had to go with her children to live on Skid Row. Now she’s in an apartment. Her courage and strength were inspiring. I try to stay connected to the individuals I work for.
I admire leaders who are truth-tellers. There are not enough of them, that’s for sure. People who take time to be involved, who use their leadership to do some good—for example, George Keefer of the Civic Alliance. He puts his own time into this group that brings people together, to work on problems like the ones experienced by the LA Times and King Drew Medical Center.
Q: I can assume that you are a master networker, or you would not be so successful. Tell me something about how you network with people.
A: In my first couple of years as president, I was going full tilt. You have to be visible in a wide array of circles. I go to corporate events, grassroots community events, civic events—the showing-up, meeting-people, being-visible part of my job. Translating those meetings into relationships—that’s the hard part. This era of technology does make communication easier, but I’m a people person. I carve out time for one-on-one relationships. I listen. I really want to know what a person’s priorities are. I like to share a meal, go visit that person in their environment. It gives you a different insight.
Q: What advice would you give to the women of Leadership California?
A: My advice is twofold: First, be open to different possibilities. I’ve never—and still don’t have—a 5-or-10-year plan for myself and my career. Think about these things, but don’t limit your options. If I had gone with my game plan, I would not be a president, and I’d still be in the corporate sector.
Second, go beyond your comfort level. Transform yourself with a lot of hard work. The job will be demanding, but it is worth it. For me, my sons have benefitted from seeing their mom in this role. They have been on stage with me, have thought about what it would be like to be homeless. They have been enriched by their exposure to my work. My hope is that they’ll grow up to do great things.
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Thank You 2009 Session I Sponsors:
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CIT Session I in Sacramento: March 8-10, 2009
Gallo Family Vineyards was founded in 1933 by the late Ernest and Julio Gallo and is still family owned.
Gallo to Host Class
at Session I
CIT class members will have a unique opportunity to visit the corporate headquarters of Gallo Family Vineyards in a new component of the March, 2009 CIT session, "California's Great Valley." A bus trip and tour of the Modesto facility will be a highlight as the class studies the Central Valley's business and agricultural issues. Class members will meet with Stephanie Gallo, Senior Marketing Director, and will be hosted at a dinner at the facility.
The Modesto operation is Gallo's core facility for wine aging and bottling, administration, sales, research, trucking and manufacturing of bottles, labels and closures.
The company has about 5,000 employees worldwide. Annual sales of 76 million cases amount to more than $2 billion in annual wine sales. Gallo accounts for 55 percent of wine exports from California, reaching more than 90 countries.
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MORE PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
Above, Secretary of State Debra Bowen greets classmembers at the 2008 Session
• The Class will attend a lunch at the California Museum of History, Women & the Arts with guest speaker Secretary Kimberly Belshe, Health and Human Services Agency
• Ginger Rutland, Associate Editor, Sacramento Bee, will report on the "State of the State" with inside insights for the CIT Class of 2009
• The 2009 Legislative Agenda will be discussed by Roger Niello, California State Assemblyman; and Gloria Negrete-McLeod, California State Senator, and Governor’s Office
• Breakfast with Capital Leaders in the California Legislature will be hosted by Lydia Beebe, Corporate Secretary & Chief Governance Officer, Chevron Corporation; and Fiona Ma, California State Assemblywoman
• Making Law and Getting the Work Done will feature Diane Boyer-Vine, Legislative Counsel, State of California; Kathryn Dresslar ('03), Chief of Staff, Office of President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, California State Senate; and panelists Cynthia Bryant ('01) Deputy Chief of Staff & Director Office of Planning & Research, State of California; Nolice Edwards ('08) Chief of Staff, Speaker of the Assembly, State of California; and Stephanie Roberson, Legislative Advocate, California Nurses Association
• Tour of the State Capitol will cover historic highlights, insider information and visits to the Senate and Assembly chambers. An Insider's Look with Debbie Manning ('02), former Deputy Chief Sergeant-at-Arms, California State Senate; and Sheron M. Violini ('02), Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Senator Dick Ackerman
• Class will convene on the Senate Floor with Gregory Schmidt, Secretary of the Senate & CEO of the Senate Rules Committee, California State Senate; and Tony Beard, Jr., Chief Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, California State Senate
• California State Budget Process & How It Relates to Policy Issues will feature James Mayer, CEO, California Forward
We're pleased to introduce members of the CIT Class of 2009. You'll meet more class members in our upcoming issues. See you in Sacramento on March 8!
 DONNA DUHE
Vice President of Development
United Way of the Bay Area
Donna leads a development team that manages over 400 corporate fundraising campaigns across seven Bay Area counties. She researches and identifies new business opportunities, working closely with marketing, finance, and community investment team members, and with volunteers, donors and corporate partners.
Donna serves on the boards of several Bay Area community organizations including Holy Names High School, Westside Community Services, and the San Francisco Urban Community Housing Corporation. She also serves as a Commissioner on the Oakland Citizens Police Review Board.
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 LYNN MATSUDA
Wells Fargo Bank - California Business Banking Group
When you hear the word “banker,” you might think about deposits and loans, debits, credits and balance sheets. But banking has diversified, and so has Lynn Matsuda. Lynn’s held a mix of financial positions including Director of Operations; Vice President of Mortgage Loan Servicing; Director of Customer Experience and Loyalty; and Manager, Strategic Partnering and Alignment.
In community involvement, Lynn not only "talks the talk" but "walks the walk:" she is a board member and Board Development Executive for Big Brothers Big Sisters, a past Executive Board member of the Pacific Rim Street Fest committee, and an active participant in charity benefit walks.
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 DENISE PETERS
General Manager – Information Technology Software Development and Maintenance
Southern California Edison
Denise leads a department of quality control professionals and support analysts who provide software testing verification and validation services. She has expertise in software application development, process improvement, quality initiatives, Six Sigma practices, strategic planning, personnel management and performance assessments.
Denise previously served with May Department Stores, where she led software development teams and implemented an initiative which increased product quality, reduced defects, streamlined processes, and saved Robinsons-May up to $20 million per year. An alumnus of California Polytechnic State University - Pomona, Denise holds her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
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