Public Safety-Working Together

Christina Tokatlian, VCLA Cohort XXVI  Forensic Scientist  and Local CODIS Administrator Ventura County Sheriff’s Office November 8, 2018 is a day I will never forget.  I remember waking up that morning to go to work and the first piece of news I heard about was the horrific Borderline shooting that took place the night before and…

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VCLA – Fountain of Knowledge & Inspiration

Julius Sokenu, VCLA Cohort XXVI  Interim President, Moorpark College Ventura County Community College District Prior to Friday, November 13, I did not know what it felt like to hold a drum between my legs and place my palms in a V to drum. Now I have proof that drumming is good for the heart and elevates…

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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…

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Virtually 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…

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All 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…

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VCLA 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…

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Reflections 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…

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Alumni 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…

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Teachings 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…

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