Santa Paula’s New Commander

By Pattie Braga | August 1, 2023 |

Congratulations, Commander! Congratulations to Eric Starna (cohort XXVII), for being sworn in this morning as a Commander with the City of Santa Paula Police Department. Many of his fellow VCLA alum came out to support him, including Andrew Salinas (cohort XIV), Mark Stadler (cohort XXVII), Kasey Sirody (cohort XXVII), Michael Shanklin (cohort XXVII, Gloria Martinez…

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New Board Member

By Pattie Braga | July 10, 2023 |

We’re excited to announce that Dhruv Pandya (cohort XXVI), has joined the VCLA board for a two-year term. Dhruv is the Director of Information Security at a video, marketing, and hosting company, Wistia, based out of Cambridge, Massachusetts. In addition to serving on the VCLA board, Dhruv also serves as Chair of the board for…

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#Take5 – VCLA Reads 2023

By Pattie Braga | May 26, 2023 |

Thank you to all of the VCLA alumni who took part in the First 5 Ventura County #Take5VC program, which encourages us to read, talk, and sing to the children in our lives. Some of the featured readers were Stacie Galang (cohort XX) with the Ventura County Star, Dorina Timbol (cohort XXVIII) with For The Need Foundation, Dustin Gardner (cohort XXI)…

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Our Alumni are Experts

By Pattie Braga | May 2, 2023 |

An expert from her own cohort!  Loredana Carson, Senior Lecturer and Academic Advisor with California Lutheran University was able to call on her fellow cohort XXII member Heather Sumagaysay, Communications Manager and PIO for the City of Ventura, to lead a class on communications for public sector managers.  Heather talked about the importance of a…

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Santa Barbara News

By Pattie Braga | April 30, 2023 |

Congratulations to Kirk Lagerquist (cohort XXVII) on being appointed as the General Services Director for the County of Santa Barbara! Kirk recently concluded a 27-year career with the United States Navy Civil Engineer Corps, where he served as the military equivalent of a Public Works Director at both large and small Navy installations. The Santa…

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Non-Profit Addition

By Pattie Braga | March 13, 2023 |

Congratulations to Mike Silacci (VCLA Class III), for joining the team at the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF), serving as Chief Philanthropy Officer. Mike is a former VCCF Board Member bringing years of expertise and passion in serving the philanthropic sector in Ventura County. Mike was also named VCLA’s Distinguished Community Leader in 2002.

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Fun at the YMCA

By Pattie Braga | March 2, 2023 |

The Pacific Coast Business Times recently came out with their “Who’s Who in Nonprofits & Foundations” and it’s not suprising that so many of our alumni were included on this list. Congratulations to Margo Byrne (cohort XIII) with the Channel Islands YMCA, Yvonne Guiterrez (cohort VIII) with El Concilio Family Services, Tammie Helmuth (cohort XXVIII)…

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Alumni Reflection – Kevin Brannon, Cohort XX

By VC Leadership Academy | July 6, 2020

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

By VC Leadership Academy | April 27, 2020

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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