Cohort Reflections
Whose Eyes Are You Seeing VC Through?
Tracy McAulay, VCLA Cohort XXVI Management Analyst County of Ventura Like the first two VCLA sessions, session 3 was a whirlwind. We delved into the economy, transportation and the arts – no small task for a single day. All of the presentations were fascinating, and I could write pages. As I reflected on the day, I…
Read MoreVirtually the Best – Reflection
Jennifer Duston, VCLA Cohort XXVI Client Partner Franklin Covey As John Quincy Adams so eloquently stated, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, & become more, you are a leader.” I couldn’t choose words more appropriate to describe Cohort XXVI and our day of learning with community leaders as a part…
Read MoreAll Barks & No Bites
Caitlin Brooks VCLA Cohort XXVI Program Manager/Transportation Planning Ventura County Transportation Commission If you don’t like dogs or puns, this recap of VCLA Cohort XXVI Session 2 is going to be ruff. Please furgive me and I promise by the time you’ve finished reading you won’t be hounding anyone for more. Our second session (but…
Read MoreVCLA Inspires
Caitlin Barringer VCLA Alumni, Cohort XXV Development Manager, Kids & Families Together The mission and purpose of Ventura County Leadership Academy (VCLA) is “connecting people & issues to strengthen our county” and it is something that they embody well. As a recent graduate of Cohort 25 (Aptly named “We Survived”, due to the COVID-19 pandemic…
Read MoreReflections on a Patriots’ Day Session
Jeremey Shumaker VCLA Cohort XXVI Regional Director of Operations for American Medical Response On September 11th, 2020 the 26th cohort of the Ventura County Leadership Academy met for their first of ten sessions. The date was not lost on me nor was it on the rest of my fellow leaders. As a veteran and as…
Read MoreThe Beginning – Cohort XXVI, Alumni Reflection by Melissa Miller
The mission of Ventura County Leadership Academy is connecting people and issues to strengthen our county. And today, on Patriots Day, Cohort XXVI did just that. With the task of taking a deeper dive into ten of the largest cities in Ventura County, each team had the opportunity to connect with many key individuals that…
Read MoreAlumni Reflection – Kevin Brannon, Cohort XX
Lately, as the success of the Reel Guppy Outdoors program has surged, I have taken some time to reflect upon the people and events that have gotten us here. An important part of my success with this program has been the lessons I took away from my participation in the Ventura County Leadership Academy. What…
Read MoreTeachings from Dr. P in the age of COVID-19
Author – Maggie Kestly VCLA supporter Maggie Kestly recently added the below post to her Facebook page. Maggie and VCLA founder Dr. Priscilla Partridge de Garcia had a special relationship that was filled with mutual respect & admiration. Please take a moment to read her thoughts below and possibly use the tools that she learned…
Read MoreThe Impact of the Creative Economy
By Colleen Malone The focus of the day was on Public Safety and the Arts. The most impactful part of the day for me was visiting the Museum of Ventura County and listening to Tracy Hudak, Founder of CreativityWorks, discuss creative economics. How do we define quality of life? Does the quality of life mean…
Read MoreEnergy, Water, and the Situation Room Experience
By Alejandra Tellez I had no idea what to expect for this session. I enjoy not getting the agenda until days before, the fact that I just show up, get awesome speakers I learn so much all while getting snacks and food throughout the day; makes me feel so fortunate and will suffer when I…
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