California Leadership Lines - May 2019
LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP AWARD CEREMONY NEARS
Celebration to be Held in Los Angeles on May 6, 2019
Each year, Leadership California recognizes individuals and corporations who have made significant contributions and support the advancement of women. This year’s Legacy of Leadership awards ceremony will be held on May 6, 2019 at the Omni Hotel in Los Angeles.

With just days before the big event, excitement is building for what promises to be an inspiring evening. The ceremony is expected to draw more than 350 attendees who are gathering to pay tribute to this year’s incredible group of honorees.
The 2019 honorees are:
  • Legacy of Service Award: Gloria D. Gray, Chairwoman, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; Director, West Basin Municipal Water District
  • Leadership Champion Award (New Award): Dr. Timothy P. White, Chancellor, the California State University  
  • Community Leader Award: Dr. Lucy Jones, Founder and Chief Scientist, Dr. Lucy Jones Center for Science and Society
  • Trailblazer Award: Monica Lozano, President/CEO, College Futures Foundation 
  • Trailblazer Award: Dr. Bernice Ledbetter, Dean or Students and Alumni Affairs and Director, Center for Women in Leadership, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School
  • Corporate Leader Award: Southwest Airlines 
Leadership California is honored to recognize these outstanding leaders whose positive accomplishments are making a difference for California. These leaders exemplify the qualities Leadership California is committed to fostering in women leaders through our programs.  

In addition to the honorees joining us, we are pleased to have Sunne Wright McPeak, President & CEO of California Emerging Technology Fund, serving as our emcee and appreciate all of the support from our Legacy Event sponsors.
Legacy Trailblazer Award Honoree
Lozano’s Leadership Journey Rooted in Family
Monica Lozano
President / CEO, College Futures Foundations
Monica Lozano’s grandfather came from Mexico with a dream to shift the perception around Mexican immigrants. That dream became La Opinión, the largest Spanish language newspaper in the United States. He not only planted roots in a new country, but he planted roots that would grow to inspire future generations of his own family – inspiration that that drives their work to this day. 

As the third generation to run La Opinion, Lozano’s career has been rooted in her family, and those same roots have given her a deep sense of commitment to community and shown her how to follow her passion with purpose that led her to the position she is in today.

Today, Lozano serves as the President and CEO of College Futures Foundation. In that role, she works in partnership with organizations and leaders around the state to ensure education pathways are aligned seamlessly for college attainment. She is committed to the vision that California’s low-income students and students of color should have equitable access to bachelor’s degrees and the better life that is possible through education.

Read more about how Monica Lozano’s work is rooted in passion and purpose.
“You can’t just open the door;
you must swing it so wide open it can’t be closed.”
– Monica Lozano
Build teams, drive collaboration, and develop talent.”
– Monica Lozano
Corporate Leader Awardee
Advancing Women Leaders Part of Southwest’s Culture
Southwest Airlines
Leadership California sat down with Southwest Vice President and Controller Leah Koontz to gain insight into the company’s philosophy on women’s Leadership.
There is no question that developing and supporting women leaders is deeply woven into the cultural fabric of Southwest Airlines, and has been from the start. 
Southwest truly is unique in many ways and one story highlights how role models for women in the company have been standard from the beginning.

Founder Herb Kelleher would take his corporate secretary, Colleen Barrett, everywhere with him in the late '60s. At the time, this practice was unheard of. Colleen learned everything about the company and the business as she traveled with him and ultimately, she rose to become Southwest’s president from 2001-2008 – the only woman to hold that title.

Kelleher believed in looking for the best in people and was dedicated to bringing out the best in them, regardless of gender. As a result, Southwest has always promoted, developed and supported women.

Read more about how the cultural fabric of Southwest promotes women leaders here. 
“Embed diversity in your company culture”
– Southwest Airlines
“Look for, and develop, servant leaders”
– Southwest Airlines
For more on our honorees, the event, our sponsors and how you can can support this event, visit our website at www.LeadershipCalifornia.com.
CIT - SESSION II SPONSORS
CIT Strategic Partners
CIT Session II Partners
Official Airline of Leadership California
CIT Session II Supporter
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS
“Witness the Power of She”

Mayflower Hotel
Washington D.C.
On the heels of a historic election that ushered in a new era for women in Congress, Leadership California will “Witness the Power of She,” during the Leadership California Goes to Washington, D.C. Session, September 22-25, 2019, at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The program features provocative content addressing issues and trends of national importance to California and with a focus on:

  • Women leaders in Congress, the nation’s history and military service.
  • Participants will hear from members of Congress, experts on the nation’s history, state of the nation, and efforts to keep America safe.
  • Visits to important national landmarks and museums and an international embassy.
 
LC to DC is offered biennially and is an independent, stand-alone program. It is open to all women leaders interested in learning more about our nation’s Capital and how they impact California.
Space is limited. Registration details at www.leadershipcalifornia.org.

Contact: Elizabeth Cardwell, 916-330-2704; ecardwell@leadershipcalifornia.org