Oxnard Leadership Program
Become the leader your community needs. A 10-session course connecting you with key decision makers and experts shaping the future of our region.
An initiative of OFEED
The Oxnard Leadership Program is an initiative of the Oxnard Foundation For Education And Economic Development (OFEED), a 501(c)(3) organization. Formed in 2014 by the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce (now WVCBA), OFEED's mission is to support the interaction with and advancement of education and development of our future workforce, and to assure the Oxnard community has an adequate supply of quality jobs.
Since 2016, this interactive, community engagement program has provided an in-depth look at issues impacting the city and region's economic prosperity and quality of life. This 10-month, 10-session experiential program connects participants with key decision makers and experts on vital issues shaping the future of the City of Oxnard and its surrounding region. Participants are selected for their commitment to bettering their community, passion for self-improvement, and desire to better serve in leadership roles within their organization or the community.
Program Benefits
Gain in-depth knowledge of the community and how it functions by interacting with influential community leaders.
Build a diverse network of colleagues and contacts in the city.
Position yourself or your business as a community partner committed to quality-of-life issues.
Engage in private seminars and discussions with local executives and leaders.
Acquire valuable information and access to resources to aid your professional work and civic engagement.
Commitment & Tuition
- • Sessions are held one Friday each month, January through October, from approximately 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (hours vary).
- • Participants are expected to attend all 10 sessions.
- • Participants may not miss more than two sessions (16 hours total) in order to graduate with the cohort.
- • Make-up sessions may be completed the following year to graduate then.
- • Tuition is nonrefundable.
- • Partial scholarships may be available; priority given to self-paying individuals and nonprofits. Please inquire on your application — no separate scholarship application required.
Requirements
- • Candidates must be at least 21 years of age to apply.
- • If not self-employed, applicants must have the support and commitment of their employer.
- • Employers are encouraged to sponsor employee participation for professional development.
- • In addition to the application, a brief Zoom interview will be scheduled after the application deadline.
Made possible by our generous supporters
The Oxnard Leadership Program is generously sponsored by the Gene Haas Foundation. Established in 1999 by Haas Automation Founder and CEO Gene Haas to support the local community, Haas Automation is one of the largest employers in the county. Since 2022, more than 30 deserving individuals have received partial scholarships from the Gene Haas Foundation.
The 2026 Oxnard Leadership Program is grateful for the support from Santa Barbara Airbus, and lunch sponsors TKC Enterprises, Catalyst Environmental Solutions, Bayer Crop Sciences, Montecito Bank & Trust, and The Port of Hueneme.
If your business would like to become a sponsor, please contact Jovie Baclayon at j.baclayon@wvcba.org .
Class of 2026
A growing network of community leaders
- Tom Buenger
- Craig Classen
- Andrea Dunphy
- Dawn Noorda-Boldrin
- Jackie Snider
- Alyce Bosacki
- Nicole Chavez
- Justin Cotton
- Elissa Davalos
- Kathy Gray
- Carlos Lopez
- Peter Marcus
- Robin Whitney
- Christopher Acker
- Justin Campbell
- Jacquelyn McMillan
- Theresa Miller
- Laura Mullen
- Alex Renteria
- Daniel Chavez, Jr.
- Yvonne Gutierrez
- Diana Lopez
- Taylor Penny
- Mayra Rincon
- Angela Sanchez
- Mark Spellman
- Marlen Torres
- Anna Zielsdorf
- Joshua Beck
- Nathan Glyer
- Maya Hoholick
- CAPT Kirk A. Lagerquist
- Alejandra Lopez
- Susana Lopez-Garcia
- Ashley Montgomery
- Mayra Plascencia
- Joseph Cabral
- Armando Casillas
- Arturo Garcia
- Brenda Heredia
- Tina Knight
- Patty Lau-Cho
- Teo Lopez
- Carolyn Mullin
- Pete Parker
- Jenna Perkovich
- Sylvia Reyes
- Margaret Schoep
- Samantha Shapiro
- Christopher Wells
- Dave Wellik
- Alexis Minie
- Anne Amon
- Cecelia Perez
- Dolores Lopez
- Heather D'Anna Nichols
- Jazmin Charlesworth
- John Garcia
- Jordan Cruz
- Ryan Underlin
- Samantha Gonzales
- Timea Szavo
- Christina Thomas
- Vanessa Valerio
- Ashlee Coronado
- Brooke Primero
- Catalina Solis
- Cherry De Windt
- Doug Riffenburgh
- Felipe Flores
- Jacy Yu
- Jennifer Duarte
- Marivic Diswe
- Seth Wilmoth
- Summer Santivanez
- Torin Curren
- Esther Anaya — The Arc of Ventura County
- Daniel Cervantes — OceanAir Federal Credit Union
- Nicholas Cohen — BluSky Restoration Contractors
- Michelle Flippo — Visit Oxnard
- Roberto Gonzalez — Oxnard College
- Kyle Jewell — WVCBA
- Isaac Khalaf — HRL Laboratories
- Claudia Lozano — Community Action of Ventura County
- Rachel McIver — McIver Consulting
- Erin Morhar — Charter Communication / Spectrum Reach
- Paola Pomeroy — Bayer Crop Science
- Nichole Susanka — NAVSEA
- Juan Villasenor — Premier America Credit Union
Hear from past participants
"Having the opportunity to sit down and speak with Representative Irwin, our Ventura County Supervisor, Ventura County CEO, Oxnard City Managers, police and fire chiefs, and local business leaders was invaluable."
"You will undoubtedly learn things about our community that you did not know before, and you will make new connections that otherwise would not have been possible."
"The program provides a robust look into Oxnard's history, economic drivers, governance, business and community issues and more."
"It's the best professional development opportunity I've participated in during the past five years."
"Build new connections while learning what makes Oxnard great!"
"Oxnard Leadership is an interactive opportunity for local business associates and civic-minded leaders."
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Reach out to stay connected with the Oxnard Leadership Program network, inquire about future cohorts, or learn about sponsorship opportunities.