September 16, 2026
Orientation
Impact 2027 is officially in session, and we opened the program with a spectacular half-day orientation and social, giving the participants the chance to get to know LEAD, meet the cohort, and learn about what’s to come.
The Impact program wouldn’t be possible without our amazing partners, and we thank our CEU provider, National University, for hosting us, as well as our series sponsor, SDGE, and scholarship sponsor, Hunter Industries.
We kicked off the day with an introduction by LEAD’s Executive Director Veronica Perondi, who gave insight into LEAD’s history and importance in our community. She talked about the very first LEAD class in 1983, and the evolution the organization has gone through since, developing from one program into 3, and the powerful alumni network the cohort would soon be joining. She then introduced LEAD Board Chair and Community Affairs Manager at U.S. Bank, Enrique Meza (23).
Enrique welcomed the cohort to the Impact program, noting that he was a 2023 graduate of Impact. He spoke on the tremendous opportunities LEAD can bring if you embrace the experience, and why putting your best foot forward can lead to progression not only in your career, but in your network as well. He discussed his own journey into becoming a part of the program, and how LEAD truly is a connector in the community.
The cohort then moved into get-to-know-you activities through icebreakers called Story of Your Name and Zombie Apocalypse. These exercises gave participants a chance to learn about one another, understand different perspectives, and discover things they might not have known otherwise. By the end, conversation among the cohort was still going strong!
Our first panel of the day focused on Civic and Community Leadership and how to get involved. We were honored to welcome Phil Blair (83), Executive Officer, Manpower San Diego; Linda Katz (90), Social/Civic Activist; and Jordan Marks (19), Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk/Commissioner of Civil Marriage Ceremonies, County of San Diego. The three leaders spoke about their experiences in LEAD, each having gone through the program at a different time, with Phil among the very first class, and how those experiences shaped their careers and professional relationships. Jordan noted that LEAD took him out of the bubble he was in, expanding his horizons and introducing him to spaces he might not have otherwise encountered. Phil spoke to the importance of getting involved, noting that one-on-one engagement matters just as much as a board seat, and discussed what it means to be LEAD alumni and how to get started. Linda, a lifelong activist, spoke about taking the extra step for the community: putting yourself out there, staying humble, remaining open to learning, and giving your time and effort where it counts. It was a compelling panel, and we are grateful for the chance to learn from such accomplished leaders.
Our second panel of the day centered on Leadership Action Teams and the impact a strong project can have. We were joined by Danny Milla (23), Manager of Government Affairs and Advocacy at the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank; Anne Bautista, Esq., Legal Support and Strategy Director, Casa Cornelia Law Center; Michael Daneshvar (25), Business Development Manager, Turner Construction; and Wendy Moore (23), Executive Director, San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation. They spoke in detail about the success of their partnerships, noting that their Leadership Action Team projects led to meaningful organizational growth, including a new full-time staff position at Casa Cornelia Law Center and a part-time role at the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation. Both projects were built around a strategic plan and organizational roadmap, and both organizations have continued to use their findings since! The panelists also discussed what made their projects succeed: the time invested, the relationships built, and the structured approach they took to deliver results. The panel offered the cohort a preview of what lies ahead, while showing the real impact these projects can have when approached with dedication and committment.
We closed the day with a lovely social at Harland Brewing, where we saw many faces of the incoming cohort, and even a couple of alumni.
Orientation was a great kickoff to the 2027 Impact program, and we’re looking forward to continuing the momentum at our first seminar!