California Leadership Lines - July/August 2018
CALIFORNIA'S ECONOMY FRONT AND CENTER AT CIT III
The Leadership California Class of 2018 was briefed on all aspects of California’s robust economy during the California Issues & Trends Session III held in Los Angeles from July 18-20. 
Dr. Robert Kleinhenz, Economist and Executive Director of Research with Beacon Economics, LLC, provided the foundational data around what is fueling the California economy today. Dr. Kleinhenz said, “We are in the second longest period of economic expansion on record and that the unemployment rate is the lowest since the 1960s.” Kleinhenz added, “California is outpacing the nation in terms of GPD growth across most sectors including healthcare, tech, leisure, construction and education services.”
Dr. Mary O’Hara Devereaux, founder and president, Global Foresight, LLC, and a forecasting expert, followed with a fascinating presentation on the big drivers and disruptors that are in play in California and on the global scene. She said, “The future arrives faster than ever before. Women leaders are needed now more than ever because they tend to be more connected to the future.” Dr. Devereaux added, “The U.S. has the highest income gap than anywhere else in the world with extraordinary wealth and poverty. We are in a time of tremendous transition between eras as the senior population is expected to double by 2030.”
LC Executive Director Jennifer Persike moderates Part One of the ‘What Keeps California Going?’ panel with speakers from left Dee Zinke, Katie Sloan and Hilary Graves, who spoke about critical sectors supporting the 5th Largest Economy. 
LC Board Member and Director of Customer Strategy & Engagement for SoCalGas Ann Ayres (right) moderates Part Two of the panel ‘What Keeps California Growing?’ with speakers Lori Schell and Yuri Freedman who discussed natural gas as a key infrastructure service.
The role of critical infrastructure in supporting California’s world class economy was also covered during Session III through two panels: “What Keeps California Going – Part I and II,” focused on water, food, electricity and natural gas. Leadership California Executive Director Jennifer Persike, moderator for Part I noted, “We expect water to be at the tap, food to be in the grocery store and electricity and gas to be there when we need it -- 24 / 7. It takes tremendous investment and planning to make that happen.” Panelists included: Hilary Graves, Owner, Mighty Nimble LLC; Dee Zinke, Assistant General Manager / Chief External Affairs Officer, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and Katie Sloan, Director, Transportation Electrification, Southern California Edison. For Part II, presenting the challenges and opportunities ahead for natural gas infrastructure were Lori Schell, Empowered Energy and Yuri Freedman, Senior Director of Business Development & marketing, SoCalGas. Ann Ayres, Director of Customer Strategy & Engagement for SoCalGas and a member of the Leadership California board served as moderator.
2018 CLASS CONTINUES ITS OWN LEADERSHIP JOURNEY
Class Works Their Credos.
Women Leaders Driving Key Industries Panel.
The Class continued to sharpen its leadership focus with session on “Developing Your Leadership Credo,” conducted by Dr. Janice Thompson. The class was inspired by an impressive panel, “Women Leaders Driving Key Industries.” Panelists Jill Anderson, Vice President, Customer Programs & Services, Southern California Edison; Liz Shapiro, Chief Executive Officer, Biz-Fed; Elizabeth Perez, Deputy Secretary of Minority Veterans, California Dept. of Veterans Affairs; and Voviette D. Morgan, Special Agent in Charge, Criminal Division, FBI Los Angeles shared their personal leadership stories and lessons learned through their own career journeys. Leadership California President Dr. Margie Wheeler moderated the session (photo above right).
FIELD TRIPS HIGHLIGHT ECONOMIC DRIVERS
CIT Class of 2018 Tours Port of Los Angeles.
The CIT Class of 2018 saw first-hand two unique drivers of the Southern California and the national economy. The group visited the Port of Los Angeles considered the largest Port in North America, with a cargo revenue in 2017 of almost $300 billion. The Port accounts for 147,000 jobs in Los Angeles (1 in 13) and 1.6 million jobs through the U.S. More than 100 trains and 10,000 trucks move goods in and out of the Port each day.
CIT Class of 2018 at the Tournament of Roses House.
The history, traditions and economic contributions of the storied Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl were on display for the second field trip. The parade started in 1890 to showcase “the weather” in Southern California and lure people from the East Coast. Now in its 130th year, the Parade and game generate almost $200 million each year, according to a just released study and generates 2,062 jobs. It is a year-round, non-profit operation with more than 935 volunteers and 35 paid staff. The Class browsed through the mansion which serves as the official headquarters, viewing memorabilia from the Rose Bowls, the Rose Court, photos of the famous Parade and its grand marshals.
THANK YOU TO OUR CIT III SPONSORS!
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SPECIAL THANKS
LEADERSHIP CALIFORNIA GATHERINGS HELD
Leadership California held four different regional gatherings across California this summer. These gatherings were aimed at bringing members of the Class of 2018 together with Leadership California leadership to connect in a smaller, informal setting. At the gatherings, class members were able to meet with some Leadership California Board and Executive Advisory Committee members to learn more about the organization, its mission and programs.
The gathering in Sacramento was hosted by 2018 Class Member Maggie Stern of Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & Girard and was sponsored by Leadership California Sacramento area Board members: Mary Ellen Kassotakis, Sue Parker, Janice Thompson and Linda White. The San Francisco gathering was hosted by Leadership California Board members: Donna Duhe, Mary King, and Christi Haley-Stover. The Los Angeles gathering was held at the Traxx Restaurant and hosted by Leadership California President Dr. Margie Wheeler. The fourth Leadership California gathering was held in the San Diego area and hosted by Board member Danell Scarborough. Look for invitations to more upcoming gatherings that will be held in the months between now and CIT Sessions IV in San Diego, Nov. 7-9. 
CONGRATULATIONS 2018 CIT CLASS MEMBER JUNNA RO
2018 CIT class member Junna Ro has been promoted to Vice President, Corporate Compliance and Employment Law, and will lead those functions. She has led corporate compliance for the past six years and will continue overseeing the company’s compliance with laws and regulations and managing our commitment to ethical business operations. Junna joined the company in 2005 as senior counsel, serving as lead attorney for the employment law team. Previously, she served as corporate counsel for Symantec Corporation and VERITAS Software. Junna earned her JD from Santa Clara University School of Law and her BA in Political Science from UCLA. She serves on the board of the Bay Area Ethics & Compliance Association, is co-chair and founding member of the National Association for Diversity in Compliance, and sits on the advisory council for the Asian Pacific Fund.
BERKHEMER-CREDAIRE SHARES INSIGHT
ON APPOINTMENTS TO CORPORATE BOARDS
For Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, CEO, 2020 Women on Boards, Inc., it started as a question, “Why aren’t there more women on corporate boards?” Just 16 percent of corporate board seats go to women in the U.S., with only 15% in California. This data prompted Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire to get involved and work with other women around the country to start an organization, “2020 Women on Boards,” and to write her book, “The Board Game: How Women Get Appointed on Corporate Boards.” Berkhemer-Credaire discussed the background and mission of “2020 Women on Boards,” at a special event during CIT – Session III. She also shared the key steps that women should take to make serving on a board a reality. “The data shows that when women are part of a board it is more profitable,” said Berkhemer-Credaire.
Former Leadership California Executive Director Pam Hemann along with other alumna attended the evening event. Leadership California Dr. Margie Wheeler acknowledged Hemann for her many years of leadership and commitment to the organization and presented a special gift.

Berkhemer-Credaire is headlining two special alumnae events this fall. See details below. 
TWO ALUMNAE EVENTS SET FOR FALL
FEATURING BETSY BERKHEMER-CREDAIRE
Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, author of “The Board Game” and CEO of 2020 Women on Boards, will speak at two upcoming Leadership California Alumnae Events.
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Center Club Orange County
650 Town Drive
Garden Level, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Lunch/Program: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Sheppard Mullin
Four Embarcadero Center, 16th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
Reception/Program: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Invite a Candidate for the 2019 California Issues & Trends! Alumnae are encouraged to invite a prospective CIT Candidate for the Class of 2019. A limited number of complementary registrations for candidates are available. Contact: Vanessa Henderson at Leadership California, (916) 330-2704, vhenderson@ leadershipcalifornia.org.

ALUMNAE REGISTER TODAY! Event Cost: $65 and includes and a copy of “The Board Game.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
CIT SESSION IV
November 7-9, 2018
San Diego

A Thriving California
Through Innovation
September 22-25, 2019
Leadership CA Goes to
Washington D.C.