Please help us welcome the members of VCLA's Cohort XXX
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.
Alex Gallardo, VP, Community Impact & Financial Wellness - Premier America Credit Union
Alicia Morales-McKinney, Interim Continuum of Care Dir. - County of Ventura
Alondra Gaytan, Director of Strategic Relations - Economic Development Collaborative
Brett McMurdo, Assistant County Counsel - County of Ventura
Candice Tang Nyholt, Dr of Marketing & Comms - Ventura County Community Foundation
Christin Shatzer Román, EdD, Dr of Community Engagement - Pepperdine University
Cynthia Torres, Chief Executive Officer - New Dawn Counseling
Cynthia Salas Salgado, VCOE Community Schools Coor - Ventura County Office of Education
Dani Anderson, Disability Access Manager - County of Ventura
Danica Selvaggio, Chief Executive Officer - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County
Daniel Bednar, Chief Strategy Officer, OceanAir
Diana Lopez, Branch Manager II - Ventura County Credit Union
Dianne McKay, President/Owner - Mustang Marketing
Dr. Nicolas Palacios, Global Marketing Manager - Amgen
Ethan Walker, Programs and Partnerships Manager - Cortico
Francisco Camarena, IT Director - Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura
Gabrielle Vignone, Executive Director - House Farm Workers!
Graciela Garcia, Resource Management Agency Manager II - County of Ventura, RMA
Heather Williams, Development & Outreach Director - Museum of Ventura County
Ingrid Hardy, M.P.A., C.L.C., Assistant City Manager - City of Thousand Oaks
James Schuelke, Director of Outreach & Marketing; PIO - Oxnard College
Jessica Hug, Sr. Director of Community Engagement - Food Share of Ventura County
John Bandek, Economic Development Manager - City of Moorpark
Justin Karbowski, M.B.A., Founder - The Fran Coach
Kathleen Mallory, Planning & Sustainability Manager - City of Oxnard
Katie Norris, Chief Development Officer - Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County
Kayla Ancheta Chey, Development Director - United Parents
Kelly Brown, Community Information Officer - Interface Children & Family Services
Kendra King, Humane Investigations Director - Humane Society of Ventura County
Laura Ortega, Manager of Education - CommonSpirit
Laura Hanson, Lead Installation Sexual Assault Response Coor. - DOD, Naval Base VC
Lynnette Coverly, President & CEO - Coverly Professional Services, Inc.
Martha Johnson, Program Administrator - Ventura County Health Care Agency
Mike Saum, Founder and Head Coach - M2P Leadership
Ozzie Rios, Business Banking Relationship Manager - Montecito Bank & Trust
Rhett Mauck, Chief Executive Officer - Search Dog Foundation
Sonia Escobar, Territory Account Manager - Thermo Fisher Scientific
Teo Lopez, Web & Multimedia Coordinator - Oxnard Union High School District
Traci Holt, Program Administrator - VCPH Emergency Medical Services Agency
Veronica Nava, Executive Director - SPIRIT of Santa Paula
Cohort XXX Dates (2024-2025)
Orientation Session (Via Zoom)
September 5, 2024 (Thurs)
First Session
September 13, 2024
Second Session
October 10, 2024 (Thurs)
Third Session
November 15, 2024
Fourth Session
December 13, 2024
Fifth Session
January 17, 2025
Sixth Session
February 7, 2025
Seventh Session
Sacramento Trip – February 23- 25, 2025 (Sun-Tues)
Eighth Session
March 21, 2025
Ninth Session
April 11, 2025
Tenth Session
May 9, 2025
Graduation
May 15, 2025 (Thurs eve)