Woman 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 awareness and community impact, throughout the Ventura County community. Pattie has implemented three new programs under the direction of her board, including bi-monthly Leader Lunches, where alumni can connect and continue to learn about issues impacting the Ventura County community, a monthly alumni newsletter, which highlights alumni board and civic involvement, and rolled out an Alumni & Friends program, further connecting VCLA’s 745-alumni member network.

Pattie is a deeply engaged Ventura County resident. She is a connector within the community, which is perfectly suited for her role at VCLA. Pattie has served on the boards for the Ventura Family YMCA, Ventura Chamber of Commerce, the Palmer Drug Abuse Program, and Ventura County Leadership Academy. She was a “Big” with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program for many years until 2019, when her “Little” moved to attend Sacramento State University. She was named the 2019 Alumni of the Year by VCLA and received the Ventura Poinsettia Award as the Volunteer of the Year in 2012.