Current Cohort

Welcome to the Members of Cohort XXXI!

The VCLA mission is to "connect people and issues to strengthen our county" by developing, educating, and inspiring a diverse group of leaders who aim to enhance the quality of life in Ventura County. The curriculum of this year-long program includes ten full-day, interactive sessions, at locations throughout Ventura County. The cohort members hear directly from the subject matter experts on many of the critical issues impacting the region. Other session topics include education, public safety, health care, economic development, arts and culture, agriculture, and housing. Cohort members are also responsible for hosting a group volunteer event, focused on the betterment of Ventura County.

Adri Howe, Deputy Director, Mystic Ocean Adventures/Central Coast Ocean Adventures
Alfredo Martinez, Financial Inclusion & Education Officer, Premier America Credit Union
Alice Villarreal Redit, Community Services Dir., Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura
Amber Landis, Director of Development, Humane Society of Ventura County
Berenize Ayala, Program Officer, Women's Economic Ventures
Brad Blue, VP of Marketing and Brand Strategy, Logix Federal Credit Union
Clarissa Paz, Chief People & Culture Officer, Girl Scouts of California's Central Coast
Dustin Tondreau, AVP, Wealth Management, OceanAir Federal Credit Union
Elisabeth V. Paniagua, Public Affairs Manager- Ventura County, Southern California Gas Company
Greg Monterrosa, Board Chair, Conejo Las Virgenes Future Foundation
Haidi Ahmed, Verification Scientist, Pharmavite
Jacquelyn Syndergaard, Program Dir., Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern CA
Jason Flame, Owner, Moorpark Karate & Krav Maga
Jason Valsamis, Branch Manager, Ventura County Credit Union
Jeanette Green, Human Resources Director, City of Thousand Oaks
Jennifer McCormick-Zierhut, Director, Special Projects, The Zierhut Group
Josiah Houck, Judge Advocate, U.S. Navy
John Forbes, Ed.D., Vice President of Academic Affairs, Moorpark College
Jonathan Macaranas, Executive Director, Social Justice Fund for Ventura County
Kevin Coe, IT Manager, County of Ventura - Public Works Agency
Lorri J. Santamaría, Ph.D., Owner, aRoXa CALM
Lucy E. Marrero, LMFT CPHQ, Dir, Behavioral Health & Social Programs, Gold Coast Health Plan
Luisa Arzate, Marketing Consultant/CEO, Premium Printing
Maria Ballesteros-Sola, Assoc Prof & Dir, Entrepreneurship Institute, CSU Channel Islands
Maricela Reyes, Sustainability Program Administrator, County of Ventura – CEOs Office
Mark Denham, Director of Respiratory, Dignity Health
Michele Guzman, Government Affairs Manager, County of Ventura - CEOs Office
Rachel Jacobs, PMP, Portfolio Manager, Bank of America
Dr. Rafael Gaeta, Assistant Superintendent, Business Services, Rio School District
Roberto Gonzalez, President, Oxnard College
Roshin Mathew, Dir. of Strategic Initiatives, Ventura County Community Foundation
Roxanna Reynoso, Operations Administrator, Ventura County Deputy Sheriffs' Association
Sabrina Ashjian, Board Chair, American Red Cross Pacific Coast
Sacheen Swan, Civil Law Clerk, County of Ventura - County Counsel
Sandra Jennings, Workforce/Placement Instructor, Ventura Adult and Continuing Education
Sean Britt, Captain, Ventura County Sheriff's Office
Terri Wallace, CEO & Founder, ESGineering Consulting
Victor Fakrogha, SVP, Market Manager, Community West Bank
Virginia Kelsen, Ph.D., Asst Superintendent Educational Services, Oxnard Union High School District
Zach Baliva, PIO & Director of Communications, Port of Hueneme

Cohort XXXI Dates (2025-2026)

Orientation Session (Via Zoom) - September 4, 2025 (Thurs @ 5:30)

First Session - September 12, 2025

Second Session - October 9, 2025 (Thurs)

Third Session - November 14, 2025

Fourth Session - December 12, 2025

Fifth Session - January 9, 2026

Sixth Session - February 6, 2026

Seventh Session - Sacramento Trip – February 22- 24, 2026 (Sun-Tues)

Eighth Session - March 20, 2026

Ninth Session - April 17, 2026

Tenth Session - May 8, 2026

Graduation - May 14, 2026 (Thurs eve)