Our Board is a dynamic group of leaders from across California’s diverse regions and key sectors – including business, labor, education, workforce development, employment training, and members of the state legislature. Together, they bring diverse backgrounds, expertise, and a shared commitment to advancing inclusive economic growth.
Joanna Rees
Chairman of West Global
Board Affiliation: Board Chair, Executive Committee
Sector Represented: Business
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Alysia Bell
President of UNITE-LA
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Business
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Honorable Damon Connolly
California State Assemblymember, District 12
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Legislature
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Jamil Dada
Senior Financial Manager of Provident Bank- Riverside County Branches
Board Affiliation: Board Member, Executive Committee
Sector Represented: Business
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Nancy Farias
Director of California Employment Development Department
Board Affiliation: Board Member, Executive Committee
Sector Represented: Government
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Dean Fealk
Managing Partner of Northern CA DLA Piper
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Business
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Leonard Gonzalez
Executive Director of Laborers Training and Retraining Trust Fund
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Labor
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Jennifer Haley
President & CEO of Kern Energy
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Energy
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Kim Johnson
Secretary of California Health & Human Services
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Government
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Hilary D. Lentini
President & CEO of Lentini Design and Marketing, Inc.
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Business
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James Mangia
President & CEO of St. John’s Community Health
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Healthcare
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Stephen Monteros
VP of Operations and Strategic Initiatives of SIGMAnet
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Business
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Robert Redlo
President & Chief Consultant of Redlo Health Solutions, Inc.
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Healthcare
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Rex Richardson
Mayor of Long Beach
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Government
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Kimberly Rutledge
Director of the California Department of Rehabilitation
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Government
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Fabrizio Sasso
Executive Director of Sacramento Labor Council
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Labor
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Avin Sharma
Senior Director for Workforce & Govt. Affairs, Port of Los Angeles
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Transportation
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Jeremy Smith
Deputy Legislative Director of State Building and Construction
Board Affiliation: Board Member, Executive Committee
Sector Represented: Labor
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Bruce Stenslie
President & CEO of Economic Development Collaborative, Ventura County
Board Affiliation: Board Member, Executive Committee
Sector Represented: Labor
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Floyd Trammell
Executive Director of West Bay Local Development Corporation
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Labor
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Kamyar Amiri-Davani
Managing Director, Investor Relations of Golden Gate Global
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Business
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Honorable Anna Caballero
California State Senator, District 14
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Legislature
Website
Sonya Christian, PhD
Chancellor of California Community Colleges
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Education
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Diane Factor
Retired, Worker Education and Resource Center
Board Affiliation: Board Member, Executive Committee
Sector Represented: Nonprofit
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Dr. Angelo Farooq
Owner of AVM Innovation Consulting, LLC
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Business
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Larry Frank
Senior Advisor for LA Mayor Karen Bass
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Government
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Jason Haider
Founder of Xenco Medical
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Healthcare
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Hala Hijazi
Founder & COO of Impact Strategies
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Business
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Stewart Knox
Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Agency
Board Affiliation: Board Member, Executive Committee
Sector Represented: Government
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Magda Menendez
Retired, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Nonprofit
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Janus Norman
President & CEO of California Broadband and Video Association
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Business
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Nicole Rice
President of California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Transportation
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Charles Riojas
Secretary-Treasurer of Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kings Building Trades Council
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Labor
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Angel Sanchez
CEO of Phenix Technology, Inc.
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Business
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Honorable Pilar Schiavo
California State Assemblymember, District 40
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Legislature
Website
Honorable Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
California State Senator, District 28
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Legislature
Website
Anette Smith
Founder, CEO of Impact Group Enterprises, LLC
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Business
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Honorable Tony Thurmond
State Superintendent of Public Instruction-Department of Education
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Education
Website
Amelia Tyagi
Managing Director of Sellside Group
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Business
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Gloria Young
President & CEO of Young and Lamay Associates
Board Affiliation: Board Member
Sector Represented: Business
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