News from: Leadership Coachella Valley

Leadership Coachella Valley (LCV) announced the newest class of students this week on their website and in an email to over 700 alumni. The class is made up of thirty-six area professionals and four College of the Desert Students who will meet once a month from September through June, attend all-day seminars in which important community topics and issues are reviewed and discussed. The format includes a combination of presentations, panel discussions and hands-on visits to locales relevant to the day’s theme. Experts share their insights and views and interact with participants during lively discussions.

Launched in 1999 by area chambers of commerce, LCV is designed to identify, motivate, and develop future community leaders. The program encourages community involvement by providing knowledge and perspective on valley-wide needs and concerns. Participants meet current community leaders in forum and group discussion settings.

Leadership Coachella Valley Class of 2021-2022, sponsored by General Air Conditioning and Plumbing, The Practice CPA, and the Bianca Rae Foundation:

·               Erica Abarca, Partnership Manager, Visit Greater Palm Springs

·               Frank Billante, Owner, Right at Home

·               Katie Brown, Associate Director of Sales, Hyatt Regency Indian Wells

·               Arturo Ceja, Interim Director of Finance, Mission Springs Water District

·               Aman Chandi, Vice President, Brand Development, Chandi Group USA

·               Pete Chryss, CEO, First Call Security / Alpha Consultants

·               Mindy Conant, Business Development Manager, Distinctive Restoration

·               Peter Daut, Anchor/Reporter, KESQ-TV

·               Kathleen Doyle, City of Indio Retiree

·               Cassandra Edney, Contact Center Manager, General Air Conditioning and Plumbing

·               Judy Esterbrook, Senior Manager, Sales & Partnerships, The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens

·               Emily Falappino, President/CEO, Greater CV Chamber

·               Denise Fleig, Sales Manager, Desert Sun / Local IQ

·               Lorraine Garcia, Communication Specialist, CVWD

·               Michaela Gleeson, Area Administrator and Team Leader, Young Life Desert Cities

·               Douglas Hassett, Field Supervisor & Partnership Specialist, US Department of Commerce & Bureau of the Census

·               Melissa Hempel, Student Services, Guide Dogs of the Desert

·               Erin Hyland, Membership & Community Liaison, Desert Valleys Builders Association

·               Pedro Esteban Infante, Safety and Health Director, Imperial Western Products INC

·               Karin Jaffie, Marketing & Development Associate, Friends of the Desert Mountains

·               Kent Kay, Creative Director & Promotion Manager, Gulf California Broadcast Company

·               Ann Kerian, Owner & Operator, Ann Kerian: Consulting & Coaching, LLC

·               Bito Lason, Owner, SCAPE

·               Serena Leiterman, Operating Principle/Real Estate Agent, Roadrunner Realty Group

·               Victoria Llort, Government & Regional Affairs Coordinator, Coachella Valley Water District

·               Andrew McDuffie, Assistant Vice President, FirstBank

·               Matthew McLeroy, Job Developer, Desert Best Friend’s Closet

·               Alejandrina Mercado, Sales Coordinator, Visit Greater Palm Springs

·               Ryan Quadreal, Associate Attorney, SBEMP

·               Peter Satin, Regional Planner, Coachella Valley Association of Governments

·               Mohab Suliman, Business Manager, Gulf California Broadcast Co.

·               Erika Unruh, Realtor, Self Employed

·               John White, Executive Director, Bond Program & Facilities Planning, College of the Desert

·               Kristen Wood, LCAP Coordinator, Desert Sands Unified School District

·               Heidi McArthur, Owner, Jadabug’s Kids Boutique

·               Eduardo Velasco, Staff Associate II, Young Life Desert Cities

  Plus, the following College of the Desert Students:

·               Dakota De La Torre

·               Vanessa Mejia

·               Sergio Muñoz

·               Matthew Rubio

For the first time, LCV is partnering with the College of the Desert Foundation to help dedicated and knowledgeable College of the Desert students develop their personal and professional skills, while building strong relationships with other community leaders.

Learning to Lead is a newly created program designed to offer College of the Desert students the unique opportunity of participating in Leadership Coachella Valley’s 10-month leadership program, giving them real world application and insight into the issues our region is facing today and well into the future.

Kicking off the pilot program are four College of the Desert students. Each was selected through a competitive application process with enrollment fees paid for as well as are awarded a $1,000 scholarship upon completion of the course. Financial support and guidance comes from the Academic Angels Committee, a group of committed volunteers who for years have supported the College of the Desert Foundation’s fundraising efforts.

“As chair of the Academic Angels Committee, we are thrilled Learning to Lead will now be our signature program. Supporting students has always been our first priority,” said Marge Dodge. “Launching this program in a collaborative effort with an organization like Leadership Coachella Valley makes it even more meaningful to our membership group.”

The College of the Desert Learning to Lead participants will grow in awareness and understanding of the issues and challenges facing their community. They will also develop valuable contacts within the community and networking opportunities for the future. Additionally, while participating in the Leadership Coachella Valley program, College of the Desert’s Learning to Lead participants become more invested in making their community a better place to live and work. Most importantly, they can discover valuable information that helps them to uncover their passion in life, as well as expanding on their prospects toward a future career path. For more information on Learning to Lead and how you can support College of the Desert students participating in this valuable leadership program, please contact Matt Durkan, Director of Development, College of the Desert Foundation at 760.773.2561 or [email protected].

College of the Desert Foundation was founded in 1983 and serves the Coachella Valley’s largest institution of higher learning. The mission of the College of the Desert Foundation is to act as an advocate for the College and to secure financial support, enhancing the educational opportunities for all students.

“Collaborative efforts build long-lasting relationships and friendships, and we believe we have found the right partner in the College of the Desert Foundation.  Our vision is to ensure the Leadership programming is continually evolving.  By including College of the Desert students, we know we are adding a new dynamic to our program which tells our members we are committed to bringing them fresh and relevant content,” Shawn Abramowitz, President, Leadership Coachella Valley.

For more information on Leadership Coachella Valley, please contact Diana Soto, LCV Administrator, Leadership Coachella Valley at (760) 347-0676 or [email protected].