10 California Community Leaders Everyone Should Know About

Community leaders play a vital role in shaping and enriching the great state of California. Their dedication and selflessness are paramount as they tirelessly work to give back and drive positive change on a local level and beyond.

Here in California, we're lucky to have some remarkable folks whose contributions have left an indelible impact on the lives of those around them. Here are 10 community leaders making a difference in California.

1. Beverly Hills: Alina Vega

Alina Vega, Vice President of Child Development Prevention and Early Education Services at Home-Safe, earned the 2020 BOLD Leader Award from the National Head Start Association and the Ford Foundation. Vega has also been commended for her excellence in leadership by the Los Angeles Business Journal, earning a nomination for the 2021 Best Diversity and Inclusion Team Award. She is deeply committed to inclusivity, providing wraparound support programs and services for her team and the community. Home-SAFE serves the metropolitan Los Angeles area, offering various prevention and early intervention programs, including child care, counseling and mental health services. (Patch)

2. Fremont: Jeevan Zutshi

For 22 years, Jeevan Zutshi has organized the Indo-American Community Federation (IACF-USA) Unity Dinner to foster unity among diverse groups. Zutshi, the chairman of IACF-USA, remains hopeful about building a peaceful community through better understanding. Over 300 attendees, including 38 legislators, gathered at the India Community Center in Milpitas, California, for the 2023 dinner. IACF-USA, a nonprofit, strives to address community issues, promote understanding and encourage Indo-Americans to be more involved in mainstream America. Zutshi and his team were honored for their 30 years of community service on the California Senate floor. The dinner's theme focused on gun violence and its impact on youth. (Indica News)

3. La Jolla: Maribel Patiño

Maribel Patiño, a first-generation college student from a Mexican immigrant farmworker family, received the University of California (UC) President's Award for Outstanding Student Leadership for her efforts in supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds and promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, particularly medicine and neuroscience. She co-founded Colors of the Brain, a graduate student organization aiming to increase diversity in neuroscience, helping underrepresented undergraduates access research labs, fellowships and medical schools at UC San Diego. Patiño's work led to securing a $100,000 grant for the Colors of the Brain-Kavli Institute of Brain and Mind Scholars Program, providing summer research fellowships to underrepresented undergraduates. Her achievements earned her prestigious fellowships and honors, such as receiving the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans and being inducted into the national Boucher Graduate Honors Society. (University of California)

4. Long Beach: Kirsten Larsen

Kirsten Larsen, a 33-year member of the Junior League of Long Beach (JLLB), was named the recipient of the Helen D. Newcomb Award, recognizing her outstanding dedication to volunteerism and community activism. Throughout her JLLB career, she has been actively involved in various projects, including Rebuilding Together, mentoring emerging leaders and serving on the Board of Directors. She also contributes to other organizations, such as the Women's Symposium of Southern California and the American Association of University Women Long Beach Branch, inspiring girls to pursue STEM opportunities. Larsen's entrepreneurial success with Diversified Technical Systems and her extensive volunteering in animal welfare and music demonstrate her commitment to making a positive impact in her community. (Patch)

5. Pleasanton: Tanush Sharma

Tanush Sharma qualified as an Eagle Scout and will be honored in August. He is a member of Troop 998 sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6298 of Pleasanton. Sharma has been a dedicated leader in his troop, serving as senior patrol leader and assistant junior scoutmaster and participating in various high-adventure activities. He expresses gratitude for the impact of scouting on his life and the opportunities it provided, including his Eagle project involving the construction of flower planters to promote native flora in Livermore parks. Sharma will attend the University of Boulder for Aerospace Engineering and aspires to work for a space agency and become an astronaut. (Patch)

6. Sacramento: Sonya Christian

Sonya Christian, the new chancellor for California Community Colleges, aims to address declining enrollment by appealing to low-income adults and simplifying the transfer process with California State University. She advocates for every ninth grader to participate in dual enrollment and take community college classes. Christian plans to publish a planning document, "Vision 2030: A Roadmap for California Community Colleges," outlining her goals. She emphasizes community colleges' role in tackling climate change, engaging with hard-to-access communities. Christian supports expanding baccalaureate degrees at community colleges to aid place-bound students and increase socioeconomic mobility. (EdSource)

7. San Diego: Peggy Johnson

Peggy Johnson, a former Qualcomm and Microsoft executive, received an honorary degree from San Diego State University (SDSU) during its commencement ceremonies. Johnson received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from SDSU in 1985. She joined Qualcomm in 1989 as a software engineer and held leadership positions for 24 years. Later, she became executive vice president of business development for Microsoft and is now CEO of Florida-based Magic Leap. Johnson has been involved in supporting research and opportunities for women, speaking to engineering students, especially aspiring female engineers. Being a role model for women in engineering and technology, Johnson received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from SDSU. (SDSU)

8. San Dimas: Ronald Husband

Ronald "Ron" Husband, a long-time San Dimas resident and Monrovia High School alumnus, was recognized as the Unsung Hero of the 41st Assembly District by Assemblymember Chris Holden and the California Legislative Black Caucus. The award honors individuals who have made significant but unrecognized contributions to their communities. Husband, a 38-year veteran of The Walt Disney Company, was the first African American animator and supervising animator for Walt Disney Studios. He received his Associate's Degree in Art from Citrus College and a bachelor's degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. (The Pasadena / San Gabriel Valley Journal)

9. Temecula: Ego Nwodim

Ego Nwodim, the actress who portrays Lisa from Temecula on “Saturday Night Live,” will join Temecula Mayor Zak Schwank at the mayor's table during the Temecula State of the City address in August. The invitation came after NBC Los Angeles approached the city for an interview with Nwodim and the mayor decided to acknowledge and appreciate the attention the character has brought to Temecula. Nwodim portrays a lively and outspoken woman who proudly associates herself with the city. Schwank expressed pride in having Lisa from Temecula as a resident. Nwodim reported she was excited to attend the event and learn more about the city she humorously portrays on the show. (Patch)

10. Temecula: Zak Schwank

Mayor Zak Schwank has launched an online series called "Just the Facts With Zak" to showcase life in Temecula from his perspective. In the series, he discusses promoting healthy living through outdoor activities and expanding opportunities for all residents. The inaugural episode highlights the "equity core values" and features the annual Culture Fest, a celebration of cultural diversity with music, dance and food that fosters a sense of belonging within the community. (Patch)

Thank you to California’s incredible community leaders for all you do!

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