Leadership Monterey County

05/26/2026

Local government and law enforcement serve as the bedrock of the County of Monterey’s economy. On Friday, May 15, 2026, Leadership Monterey County (LMC) participants gained further insight into the challenges individuals in these roles typically face through meetings with local officials and visits to meet with law enforcement representatives.

The group began its day by meeting with Angela Bocanegra, Senior Field Representative for the County of Monterey for U.S. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) (see photo lower left) and Sonia de la Rosa, the County Administrator Officer of the County of Monterey (see top photo)--the day-to-day manager of county government and representative of the County and the Board of Supervisors in a variety of activities.

The remainder of the day focused on law enforcement, with a visit to the City of Salinas Police Department, where participants heard from the Chief of Police and officers involved with the daily challenges of policing in that community. What followed later in the afternoon was a tour of the County of Monterey jail and presentations by members of the County of Monterey Sheriff’s Office who work with inmates there. The day concluded with a presentation by a representative of the County of Monterey District Attorney’s Office (see group photo), whose perspectives rounded out the day’s discussion of the local legal system.

04/27/2026

For its third program of 2026, on Friday, April 24, 2026, Leadership Monterey County program participants visited the Salinas Valley to learn about the local agriculture industry. Program participants met with staff and explored the operations of two major providers of produce.

A visit to Taylor Farms Foodservice (see upper photo, to the right) provided a first-hand view of how local agricultural products are processed and packaged, and subsequently shipped to retailers throughout the U.S. Later that day, at Tanimura & Antle (see lower photo), LMC participants toured romaine lettuce fields and facilities where produce is washed, cooled, and stored after being picked from the fields. In addition, the group met with two industry leaders: Norm Groot, Executive Director of the Monterey County Farm Bureau, a private, nonprofit association of farmers and ranchers; and Juan Hidalgo, Agricultural Commissioner, County of Monterey They spoke to the group about the past, present, and possible futures for local agriculture and the individuals who work in the industry.

03/30/2026

The second session of the 2026 Leadership Monterey County (LMC) program, held on Friday, March 27, 2026, focused on education. Longstanding structural changes affecting public and private institutions alike, not to mention the ongoing challenges posed by recent events, loomed large throughout the day’s presentations and subsequent discussions. Speakers included leaders from the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC); California State University, Monterey Bay(CSUMB) (see photo lower right); Hartnell College; Monterey County Office of Education; and Monterey Peninsula College. In addition, the speakers representing the four postsecondary education institutions (UCSC, CSUMB, Hartnell College, and MPC) highlighted their ongoing efforts to prepare students for careers by partnering with local business and other community members—with the goal to provide opportunities for students to cultivate professional skills, whether through internships, experiential and service learning projects, and other arrangements.

We are grateful to the LMC alumni who made it possible for us to visit each of the aforementioned institutions, and who also spoke to members of the 2026 cohort during our time with them.

03/02/2026

The hospitality industry looms large as a critical driver of the economy in the County of Monterey, and one which continues to grapple with the diverse impacts of local, regional, state, and national developments. Given its importance, the 2026 Monterey County Business Council (MCBC) Leadership Monterey County (LMC) program kicked off with an exploration of the inner workings of this multifaceted industry. The day began with a visit to the Inn at Spanish Bay, where participants toured the property and met with representatives who shared their perspectives on the history and culture of the Pebble Beach Company. Next, the group heard from industry leaders who shared their experiences and insight into ongoing operational challenges as well as efforts to market the County of Monterey as a tourist destination. Speakers included leaders from the tourism management program at California State University, Monterey Bay; the Portola Hotel and Spa and Spa; the Monterey County Hospitality Association; and See Monterey (see top photo). Lunch was sponsored by See Monterey and was held at the Portola Hotel and Spa. The day concluded with a tour of the Monterey Conference Center (see photo lower left). The 2026 LMC cohort is pictured at the lower left, in front of the conference center.

02/27/2026

Grateful for our incredible partners at See Monterey for hosting today’s Hospitality Day luncheon! 🌊✨

It was a wonderful opportunity to gather with our cohort and partners who helped showcase the very best of Monterey County — from our breathtaking coastline to our welcoming hospitality community.

Thank you for bringing us together, for your leadership in promoting our region, and for all you do to support our local economy and visitor industry. We are proud to collaborate with you in strengthening and celebrating our beautiful community. 💙

02/24/2026

Stay connected and stay inspired! ✨ Catch up on alumni highlights, leadership milestones, and the incredible work happening across Monterey County in our latest edition of The LeadLine.

Our alumni network continues to lead with impact, collaboration, and heart — and we love celebrating their stories.

📩 Read the newest issue and stay up to date with all things Leadership Monterey County!

https://mailchi.mp/mcbc.biz/theleadline2026cmeettheclass?e=2682ba01a1

It was so great to see so many of you at our Welcome Reception! What a wonderful evening of connection, reconnection, and community. There is something incredibly special about gathering alumni, board members, partners, and our new cohort in one room—sharing stories, laughter, and excitement for t...

02/21/2026

Welcome, Leadership Monterey County Class of 2026! We’re thrilled to kick off an incredible year of growth, connection, and impact. Thank you for embarking on this journey with us—let’s make 2026 unforgettable!

Many thanks to our friends at Bay Federal Credit Union for sponsoring our Welcome Reception.

02/19/2026

A heartfelt thank you to **Bay Federal Credit Union** for generously sponsoring our Leadership Monterey County 2026 Welcome Reception!

Because of your partnership, we were able to gather our incredible new cohort, connect, and officially kick off what promises to be an inspiring and impactful year ahead.

Our LMC Class of 2026 is energized, engaged, and ready to dive into the issues, industries, and opportunities that shape Monterey County. We are so grateful to Bay Federal Credit Union for investing in leadership development and in the future of our region.

Here’s to a year of learning, collaboration, and meaningful impact — together! ✨

02/09/2026

We are excited to launch the 2026 Leadership Monterey County program on February 27, 2026. This dynamic 10-month initiative brings together a diverse cohort of participants, offering in-depth exposure to the businesses, institutions, and systems that shape Monterey County’s economy and communities. Designed to educate and empower current and emerging leaders across sectors, Leadership Monterey County fosters awareness, collaboration, and informed advocacy around the county’s most critical economic drivers. The program creates an understanding of regional challenges and opportunities while strengthening relationships among leaders committed to our region’s future.

We are proud to introduce the distinguished participants of the 2026 Leadership Monterey County cohort:

02/05/2026

The Leadership Monterey County Board of Directors and team are delighted to introduce the incoming 2026 class! Please join us in extending a warm welcome to the 2026 Leadership Monterey County cohort.

We look forward to connecting with you and for you to meet your classmates and LMC Alumni.