SAN BENITO LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Where Great Leaders Are Grown

Quarterly Newsletter | September 2026

Hello

We are so excited to share this season of growth and new beginnings with you! Since becoming an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on July 1, we have continued to cultivate leadership, strengthen community connections, and create meaningful opportunities to serve San Benito County. We are thrilled to share a few highlights from this summer and the exciting start of our 2026-27 flagship program year.

GROWING LEADERS, BUILDING COMMUNITY

Together, we are growing a stronger, more connected San Benito County through leadership, service, and lasting relationships.

WELCOMING OUR NEWEST COHORT | 2026-27

We are proud to welcome our flagship programs' 2026-27 cohort! This incredible group of 29 individuals represents a diverse range of professional backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, all united by a shared commitment to making a positive difference in our community.

Over the next nine months, participants will build meaningful connections, develop their leadership skills, and explore new ways to serve and strengthen San Benito County. We look forward to the journey ahead and can't wait to see the impact this inspiring group will make!

PROGRAM DAY ONE

We officially launched our 2026-27 flagship program on September 18 at the beautiful St. Francis Retreat Center! Centered on finding your why, discovering leadership strengths, and connecting with your leadership purpose, our first program day invited participants to reflect on what drives them and how they can lead authentically.

Throughout the day, participants focused on building meaningful connections within their affinity groups, learning more about their fellow cohort members, exploring authentic leadership and individual strengths, and beginning to incorporate wellness into their leadership journeys.

We are excited to see these connections grow and watch our newest cohort put their leadership into action throughout the year!

Pictured: 2026-27 Participants

L-R: Zoe Martinez- Operations and Marketing Manager, Kathy Sheridan- Wellness Facilitator, Dr. Kathleen Rose- Program Facilitator, and Brenda Weatherly- Executive Director

L-R: Tyshell Johnson-Hill and Johana Manzo-Ceja (Affinity Group 5)

ALUMNI IN ACTION | Leadership Beyond the Program

Our 2025-26 alumni have been staying connected and putting leadership into action throughout the summer! From gathering together and supporting local businesses to volunteering at community events, these experiences reflect the lasting relationships and commitment to service that make the SBLI alumni community so special.

L-R: Charles Tumbaga, Charles Kelzer, Nick Huston, Abbigail Cece, Mary Rowen, and Kristi Sadler

A Summer Gathering at The Gardenshoppe

Our alumni kicked off their summer gatherings with a visit to the Gardenshoppe, enjoying an opportunity to reconnect, spend time together, and continue building the relationships formed throughout their leadership journey.

Connecting at the Suncoast Organic Farm

Alumni came together at Suncoast Organic Farm for another opportunity to catch up, share conversations, and strengthen the connections that continue beyond the program year.

L-R: Kristi Sadler, Laura Kirschmann, Abbigail Cece, Jacqueline Fernandez, Mary Rowen, Rosa Parag, Charles Keller, and Laurie Tankersley

L-R: Laura Kirschmann, Charles Tumbaga, Anabel Egbert, Alison Navarro, and Angelica Rojas

Giving Back at the SBC Condor Gravel Challenge

Our alumni put their leadership into action by volunteering at the San Benito County Condor Gravel Challenge at Eden Rift Vineyards, supporting a local community event and demonstrating the spirit of service that is at the heart of SBLI.

SBLI ON THE MOVE | Taking Our Mission Into the Community

We have been out in the community sharing our mission, connecting with local organizations, and highlighting the importance of cultivating leaders who serve, unite, and benefit San Benito County.

San Juan Bautista Rotary Club

We were delighted to connect with the San Juan Bautista Rotary Club to share our mission and discuss how leadership development helps strengthen our local community. Thank you for welcoming us and providing an opportunity to share the impact of our work.

Hollister Rotary Club

We enjoyed joining the Hollister Rotary Club to share more about SBLI, our leadership development flagship program, and the importance of investing in the people who help our community thrive. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with fellow community-minded leaders.

California Retired Teachers' Association

We were pleased to share our mission with the California Retired Teachers' Association, highlighting our commitment to developing diverse leaders and creating opportunities for meaningful community engagement. Thank you for helping us continue to spread the word about SBLI.

SBC WINE HISTORY EXPERIENCE | An Alumni Exclusive Event

Our SBC Wine History Experience brought alumni, board and committee members together for a memorable afternoon celebrating the rich history and unique wine culture of San Benito County. Hosted by SBLI and led by alumna, JoAnna Sinor, a sommelier and founder of the Wine Tutor, the event featured an engaging presentation on our county's wine history alongside tastings from local wineries, including Leal Vineyards, Calera Winery, Eden Rift Vineyards, Damm Vineyards, and DeRose Winery.

We are grateful to JoAnna our participating wineries and everyone who helped make this special exclusive experience such a wonderful celebration of local heritage and community connection!

LOOKING AHEAD | 2025-26 Annual Report

Our journey of cultivating leaders and strengthening our community continues! Stay tuned for the release of our 2025-26 Annual Report, coming this October, as we celebrate the accomplishments, stories, and community impact of another incredible year at SBLI.