Oxnard Leadership is a 10-session course that enables you to experience in-person meetings with key decision makers and experts on vital issues that shape the future of our community. Scholarships may be available.

BACKGROUND
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.
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.
ABOUT THE OXNARD LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Civic-minded community leaders are invited to apply to the Oxnard Leadership Program. 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. Topics are subject to change and may include health and human services, government, public safety, education, agriculture, energy, trade, defense, and public services. |
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Benefits
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Commitment & Tuition
If not self-employed, participants must have the support and commitment of their employer. Employers are encouraged to sponsor employee participation for professional development.
Partial scholarships are available for self-paying individuals and nonprofits, thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Gene Haas Foundation. Please inquire when you submit your application; there is no separate scholarship application. Tuition for 2025 is $1,075 plus a $50 application fee. Sessions are held one Friday of each month, January through October, from approximately 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (hours vary). Participants are expected to attend all 10 sessions.
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2025 Dates:
January 15 – Welcome Reception 5:30-7:00 pm January 24 February 21 March 21 April 25 May 30 June 27 July 25 August 22 September 19 October 24 TBD – Graduation 5:30-7:00 pm |
SPONSORS

We are grateful for the Gene Haas Foundation's generous Program Sponsorship of the Oxnard Leadership Program since 2022! The Gene Haas Foundation was established in 1999 by Haas Automation Founder and CEO Gene Haas to support the needs of the local community. Based in Oxnard, Haas Automation is one of the largest employers in the county. More than 25 deserving individuals have received partial scholarships from Gene Haas Foundation.
We also are grateful for the support of Pegasus Transit, Sponsor of 2025 Education Day, and Lunch Sponsors TKC Enterprises, Catalyst Environmental Solutions, Bayer, and The Port of Hueneme.
If your business would like to become an Oxnard Leadership Program sponsor, session sponsor, or lunch sponsor, please contact Jovie Baclayon at [email protected].
We also are grateful for the support of Pegasus Transit, Sponsor of 2025 Education Day, and Lunch Sponsors TKC Enterprises, Catalyst Environmental Solutions, Bayer, and The Port of Hueneme.
If your business would like to become an Oxnard Leadership Program sponsor, session sponsor, or lunch sponsor, please contact Jovie Baclayon at [email protected].
Welcome to the Class of 2025

Esther Anaya, The Arc of Ventura County
Daniel Cervantes, OceanAir Federal Credit Union
Nicholas Cohen, BluSky Restoration Contractors
Mike Cortes, Amicolor Inc.
Michelle Flippo, Visit Oxnard
Roberto Gonzalez, Oxnard College
Kyle Jewell, West Ventura County Business Alliance
Isaac Khalaf, HRL Laboratories
Claudia Lozano, Community Action of Ventura County
Lynn Luna, Citizens Business Bank
Matthew McDonald, Goodwill Industries of Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties
Rachel McIver, McIver Consulting
Erin Morhar, Charter Communication / Spectrum Reach
Paola Pomeroy, Bayer Crop Science
Nichole Susanka, NAVSEA (Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Base Ventura County)
Juan Villasenor, Premier America Credit Union
Daniel Cervantes, OceanAir Federal Credit Union
Nicholas Cohen, BluSky Restoration Contractors
Mike Cortes, Amicolor Inc.
Michelle Flippo, Visit Oxnard
Roberto Gonzalez, Oxnard College
Kyle Jewell, West Ventura County Business Alliance
Isaac Khalaf, HRL Laboratories
Claudia Lozano, Community Action of Ventura County
Lynn Luna, Citizens Business Bank
Matthew McDonald, Goodwill Industries of Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties
Rachel McIver, McIver Consulting
Erin Morhar, Charter Communication / Spectrum Reach
Paola Pomeroy, Bayer Crop Science
Nichole Susanka, NAVSEA (Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Base Ventura County)
Juan Villasenor, Premier America Credit Union
Alumni
2016 (Inaugural Class)
Tom Buenger Craig Classen Andrea Dunphy Dawn Noorda-Boldrin Jackie Snider |
2017
Alyce Bosacki Nicole Chavez Justin Cotton Elissa Davalos Kathy Gray Carlos Lopez Peter Marcus Robin Whitney |
2018
Christopher Acker Justin Campbell Jacquelyn McMillan Theresa Miller Laura Mullen Alex Renteria |
2019
Daniel Chavez, Jr. Yvonne Gutierrez Diana Lopez Taylor Penny Mayra Rincon Angela Sanchez Mark Spellman Marlen Torres Anna Zielsdorf |
2020-21
Joshua Beck Nathan Glyer Maya Hoholick CAPT Kirk A. Lagerquist Alejandra Lopez Susana Lopez-Garcia Ashley Montgomery Mayra Plascencia |
2022
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 |
2023
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 |
2024
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 |
Thomas Buenger, Class of 2016Having 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.
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Daniel Chavez Jr., Class of 2019Build new connections while learning what makes Oxnard great!
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Jacquelyn McMillan, Class of 2018The program provides a robust look into Oxnard’s history, economic drivers, governance, business and community issues and more.
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Laura Mullen, Class of 2018It's the best professional development opportunity I've participated in during the past five years.
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Craig Classen, Class of 2016You 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.
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Mark Spellman, Class of 2019Oxnard Leadership is an interactive opportunity for local business associates and civic-minded leaders.
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