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Bonni Pomush, CEO of Working Wardrobes, was honored with the Excellence in Executive Leadership for Culture Change award from CSUF Giles- O'Malley Center for Leadership. The luncheon brought together hundreds of local professionals, students, and changemakers to celebrate community leaders and professionals who drive impact in the Orange County region.
Bonni participated in the 2023 Executive Learning Group and was coached in the 2024 Executive Coaching Program.
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Through a connection made in their Fieldstone Learning Group, Sandra Lopez, Program Director at Serving People in Need (SPIN), and Christa Sherman, Director of Social Services at Meal on Wheels Orange County, collaborated to support families in need. Christa's daughter's Girl Scout troop donated essential items like blankets and hygiene products after learning about SPIN's work with homeless families. This partnership highlights the power of community connections to make a lasting impact.
Sandra and Christa are current participants in the 2026 Senior Management Learning Group.
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In the past three years, under the leadership of Orange County United Way, 211 OC has systematically gathered data from individuals seeking assistance, including details about their identity and the services they utilize. This data-driven approach enables the organization to identify trends and patterns, ultimately leading to more effective support. By analyzing this data, 211 OC can pinpoint areas of high need and allocate resources accordingly.
The report was featured in the Orange County Register here.
Elizabeth Andrade, Executive Director of 211 OC, participated in the 2015 Senior Management Learning Group and was coached in the 2022 Executive Coaching Program.
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Pathways to Independence serves unmarried, unaccompanied women ages 18 to 35 in southern Los Angeles County and northern Orange County. Often from adverse backgrounds with little to no safety net, they turn to Pathways for help navigating work and college.
Pathways was featured in Long Beach City Lifestyle here.
Diana Hill, Executive Director, participated in the 2023 Executive Learning Group and was coached in the 2024 Executive Coaching Program
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Network Members are helping elevate important conversations across Orange County around housing instability, homelessness, and economic insecurity.
Christy Cornwall, Chief Program Officer at Families Forward, has been working with local leaders and media to raise awareness about how communities can better support working families and create pathways for long-term stability. Christy recently joined CBS LA reporter Michele Gile during “Coffee with CBS” to discuss the growing need for affordable housing in the Irvine community.
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At the same event, Nishtha Mohendra, CEO of Friendship Shelter, shared insights with CBS Los Angeles about the day-to-day work of walking alongside neighbors experiencing homelessness and helping connect them to stability, support, and housing.
Hosted at The Lost Bean, the “Coffee with CBS LA” segment also featured leaders from Orangewood Foundation and Working Wardrobes, underscoring both the scale and the often-unseen realities facing many individuals and families across Orange County.
View the clip here.
Christy was a member of the 2025- 2026 Leadership Reading Group. Nishtha participated in the 2020 Senior Management Learning Group, was coached in the 2023 Executive Coaching Program and will participate in the 2026 Executive Learning Group in June.
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Dreams for Schools partnered with Johnson & Johnson MedTeach for their annual Week of Caring event. Across two volunteer sessions, more than 120 J&J employees helped prepare interactive Sphero learning activities that will be used in classrooms throughout their partner schools and public libraries. Each activity was designed to help students build skills in coding, problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity through hands-on learning experiences.
Nithin Jilla, Founder & Executive Director, participated in the 2023 Executive Learning Group.
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Art & Creativity for Healing held its Art of Hope and Healing Gala and Casino Night at the Ambassador Event Center in Irvine. Over 150 guests helped raise $106K to support and celebrate the organization’s therapeutic art workshops as a tool for mental health. All gala proceeds support the organization’s Art4Healing® workshops which include Wounded Warriors, Exceptional Families, Families in Life Transitions, Women Survivors, Troubled Teens and the Missing You programs.
Laurie Zagon, Founder & CEO, participated in the 2005 Executive Learning Group and was coached in the 2006 Executive Coaching Program.
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Radiant Futures joined providers across Orange County at the FaCT Annual Conference, and Chief Program Officer Nefta Pereda brought his expertise to the stage with his session Beyond the Minimum: Evolving the Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Movements for the Next Generation of Advocates, a forward-looking vision for modernizing how to train the next generation of advocates.
Nefta participated in the 2022 Senior Management Learning Group.
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CIELO made history! Under the leadership of Jessica Escalante, they launched its first-ever all-Spanish Childcare Business Conference at the Delhi Center, dedicated to Orange County's Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers.
Made possible by funder, First 5 OC, and sponsors CalOptima and California Credit Union, the event brought together more than 100 aspiring entrepreneurs. It was an uplifting day filled with business education, inspiring speakers, and powerful networking. A wonderful time learning and connecting with the true heroes of our community - the FFNs!
Jessica participated in the 2025 Senior Management Learning Group.
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MECCA celebrates Rhiannon Garcia, Chief Program Officer, for being named Orange County Health Care Agency’s Contract Provider Staff Member Awardee at the annual Behavioral Health Awards. This recognition highlights her leadership, dedication, and commitment to advancing culturally responsive behavioral health services for diverse communities. She also received recognition from County Supervisors Vicente Sarmiento and Doug Chaffee. MECCA was nominated as a Contract Provider Agency, highlighting their commitment to equity and culturally responsive care in behavioral health.
Rhiannon participated in the 2025 Senior Management Learning Group.
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We sincerely appreciate the partnership and support of Michael Skillman and Beacon Pointe as the corporate sponsor for our recent Crossroads & Turning Points presentation, "The Culture of Evaluation."
A special thank you to Paul Bonfanti for delivering an impactful and thought-provoking session that challenged us to rethink how we measure what truly matters. Our members left inspired and energized to take meaningful steps in measuring our impact more effectively.
Paul participated in the 2024 Senior Management Learning Group.
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2025/26 Leadership Reading Group
(left to right) Tom Mizera, RSI Foundation; Tami Thompson, Discovery Cube; Debbie Finster, Pacific Marine Mammal Center; Anne Grey, Make-A-Wish OC/IE; Kim Moeller, National Christian Foundation; Bill Carson, Wellness & Prevention Center; Robin Sinclair, FLN; Betsy Flint, Collaborative to End Human Trafficking; Brandon Hendriks, Every Generation Ministries; Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, Facilitator; Ronnetta Johnson, Waymakers; Christy Cornwall, Friendship Shelter; Ellen Roy, Catholic Charities of Orange County; (not pictured) Naty Pacheco, Young Life.
We are celebrating the completion of our Eighth Leadership Reading Group! This incredible group of diverse, thoughtful, and engaging leaders explored a wide range of meaningful books through the lens of empathy and leadership. The conversations, reflections, and connections were rich with insight and humanity.
So grateful for this work and for every person who helped to make this cohort so special.
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Leaders in the Field is a monthly communication highlighting Fieldstone Leadership Network member organizations and their
achievements in the community.
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We want to celebrate YOU!
If you would like to share a personal or organizational accomplishment
in upcoming Leaders in the Field
publications, please direct your email here.
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