Alumni Updates
VCLA Alum Appointed to Fair Board
Gloria Martinez, VCLA Cohort XXVII, has been appointed to the 31st District Agricultural Association, otherwise known as the Ventura County Fair Board, by Governor Newsom. Accepting the honor, Gloria said, “The Ventura County Fairgrounds are more than just a venue… It’s a space where tradition, heritage, and community come together. Like so many in our…
Read MoreJonathan Royas is new Assistant City Manager for the City of Moorpark
Congratulations to a member of VCLA’s alumni network, Jonathan Royas (Cohort XXIX) for being appointed as the next Assistant City Manager for the City of Moorpark. Jonathan joins City Manager PJ Gagajena, also a VCLA alum from cohort XXVIII. Jonathan serves on several non-profit and civic organization boards including the Municipal Management of Association of Southern California…
Read MoreNew VCLA Board Member Rabiah Rahman
We are so pleased to welcome Rabiah Rahman to the VCLA Board of Directors. As an alumni of Cohort XXVI, she is a dedicated social justice advocate who utilizes her voice, education, and skills to promote change throughout Ventura County and California. Currently, she serves as Co-Chair on the Ventura County Public Safety Racial Equity Advisory Group, Vice…
Read MoreNew VCLA Board Member
Please help us welcome Gopi Nadella (Cohort XXIX) to the VCLA board. Gopi recently retired from the U.S. Navy and has settled in west Ventura County with his family. He serves as a Board Member on Gloves For Grief and volunteers with Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Gopi and his family recently adopted a beautiful pit bull princess named Bug…
Read MoreRetirement Announcement
Congratulations to Gina Jaeger (Cohort XXI) on her recent retirement with the US Army as the Director of Resource Management at Garrision, Italy. Gina lead a team of 20 people and a budget of over $120 million. Gina served 7 years in the US Army, 30 years with the US Navy and also served as…
Read MoreVCLA in the VCReporter
Ventura County Leadership Academy was recently featured in the VC Reporter, highlighting our program, our luncheon, and the impact we make on the community. Read the article HERE.
Read MoreCohort XXX Volunteer Event
More than 150 community members gathered together on April 25th at the Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula for Trivia Night at the Museum, hosted by VCLA’s Cohort XXX. The fundraiser raised over $22,000 to support families still rebuilding after the Mountain Fire, a disaster that destroyed homes and livelihoods in the Camarillo area—most…
Read MoreWoman of the Year
We are thrilled to send a hearty and heartfelt congratulations to VCLA’s Executive Director Pattie Braga, who was named a Woman of the Year by California State Senator Monique Limon. Pattie Braga began her tenure at Ventura County Leadership Academy (VCLA) five and a half years ago, in August of 2019. In that time, she has increased VCLA’s brand…
Read MoreNew HACSB Commissioner
Congratulations to VCLA alumni Alejandra Tellez (Cohort XXV) on your recent appointment to the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura. Thank you for your service to our community, Alejandra.
Read MoreVCLA Alumni – 2024 Election Results
Congratulations to the VCLA Alumni who ran for local seats throughout the county, including incumbents Bev Dransfeldt (Cohort XXVII), and Misty Perez (Cohort XXVIII) who will continue to serve on the Pleasant Valley Rec & Park District and the Port Hueneme City Council, respectively. We will also have some new faces on the daises, including…
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