Natalie Pavia (Cohort XXIX) has been named a 40 Under Forty honoree with the Conejo Chamber of Commerce. Natalie is a financial advisor with Thrivent and is committed to making a difference in people’s lives. With a background in the nonprofit sector, she is involved with many local nonprofits like Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) & ACTION…

Congratulations to VCLA alumni & Interim President at Oxnard College Oscar Cobian (Cohort XXII) for receiving the 2024 Excellence in Servant Leadership Award from The California Community Colleges Classified Senate! Nominated by members of the OC Classified Senate, Dr. Cobian was recognized for his “exceptional support of the involvement of Classified Professionals in participatory governance at the…

Congratulations Carlene Saxton (VCLA Cohort XXVIII), who has been selected as the new Assistant City Manager for the City of Ventura. Carlene previously served as the City of Moorpark’s Community Development Director. She is the President of Women Leading Government, helping women succeed in public service.

Congratulations to Hollee King Winegar (Cohort XXVIII), was elected as the new Central Coast Director for the California Chapter of the American Planning Association, and as a member of the APA CA’s State Board. Hollee is the Entitlement Planning Lead for MNS Engineers, a firm based in Santa Barbara.

Since moving to Palm Desert in 2019 Dr. Rick Eberst (cohort XVIII), who served VCLA as a past board member and was the former Interim Program Director has kept up his leadership efforts by recently becoming engaged in new leadership roles in the Coachella Valley. Most recently, he began serving as a VIP Docent at…

Congratulations to VCLA alumni Bill Ayub (cohort XXIII) on his recent appointment as the City Manager for the City of Ventura. Bill was a member of VCLA Cohort XXIII and was also honored as the 2022 Public Sector Leader of the Year at our annual Journey to Leadership Awards event.