East Bay Leadership Council

I’m really looking forward to today’s conversation with legendary journalist Dan Walters. With decades of experience covering California politics and policy, his perspective is as sharp and relevant as ever. We’ll dive into the big issues shaping our state and the East Bay. I hope you’ll join us and bring your own questions to the discussion. https://lnkd.in/gdUDz-_8

Join the East Bay Leadership Council for a presentation from the East Bay Municipal Utility District and the University of California, Berkeley on the Center for Smart Infrastructure (CSI). In response to challenges such as climate change, aging infrastructure, and natural hazards, UC Berkeley and EBMUD established CSI in 2021. This partnership leverages cutting-edge technologies – including sensors, data analytics, and artificial intelligence – to address these challenges. Located at UC Berkeley's Richmond Field Station, CSI's initiatives include the development of a large-scale pipeline testing facility and advanced computer modeling. The center also focuses on educational outreach and engagement with communities. Since 2021, the partnership has grown to include other utilities, government agencies, manufacturers, and consultants. OUR SPEAKERS Clifford Chan — General Manager of the East Bay Municipal Utility District Kenichi Soga — Director of the Berkeley Center for Smart Infrastructure, Donald H. McLaughlin Chair, Distinguished Professor at UC Berkeley, and Faculty Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory DATE / TIME / LOCATION Tuesday, April 15 8:30-10:00 AM Brown & Caldwell 201 North Civic Drive (Suite 300) Walnut Creek REGISTER HERE https://lnkd.in/gtRNaGCV

EBLC’s sister organization, the Contra Costa Economic Partnership, launched a new sponsorship opportunity at the East Bay Leadership Series, allowing students to attend and engage with regional leaders. This year, we were thrilled to host journalism students from Diablo Valley College and Contra Costa Youth Journalism, thanks to the generous support of Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Phillips 66. Loujain Habibi from Contra Costa Youth Journalism wrote a fantastic article covering our kickoff event with Judy Woodruff (linked below).   We are excited to continue offering real-life learning experiences for East Bay students as a part of the East Bay Leadership Series. Following the journalism theme, Part 3 will feature a webinar with CalMatters Opinion Columnist Dan Walters. Register to attend here: https://lnkd.in/daH4Nqev   And be sure to read Habibi’s full article here: https://lnkd.in/grDTSscj

David Pearson is a Partner at Brothers Smith LLP, where he primarily represents closely held businesses and their owners. David works with clients to resolve general business issues, whether it involves drafting and negotiating contracts, general business advice, or litigation. On the corporate side, David handles general corporate matters, formation/dissolution, contract drafting and review, and merger and acquisition transactions, among other areas. On the commercial real estate side, David handles buy/sell transactions, leasing, and real estate litigation. David has represented clients directly in numerous general civil litigation matters, including defending employment claims. His recent accomplishments include forming numerous corporate and limited liability companies and representing clients in the purchase and sale of over $20M in commercial real estate. With David’s extensive work on employment law, business formation, and commercial real estate he will greatly inform EBLC’s advocacy on economic policy and commercial land use.

Angelica Garcia Beckman and Meg Stern had a fantastic time representing the EBLC at the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce's 20th Annual East Bay Women’s Conference earlier this month! This inspiring event brought together leaders from throughout the region to connect, learn, and empower women across industries. A huge thank you to Kaiser Permanente, one of our valued members and the top sponsor of the conference, for their commitment to creating opportunities for women to excel in business and beyond.

Please join the East Bay Leadership Council for Part 3 of the 2025 East Bay Leadership Series featuring Dan Walters, CalMatters Opinion Columnist and expert on California politics. Walters is one of most decorated and widely syndicated columnists in California history, authoring a column four times a week that offers his view and analysis of the state’s political, economic, social, and demographic trends. He began covering California politics in 1975, just as Jerry Brown began his first term as governor, and started writing his column in 1981, first for the Sacramento Union for three years, then for The Sacramento Bee for 33 years, and now for CalMatters since 2017. His columns often appear in the East Bay Times and other papers across the state. Walters has also authored two books about California, “The New California: Facing the 21st Century” and “The Third House: Lobbyists, Money and Power in Sacramento.” He is a frequent radio show guest and occasionally appears on national television, commenting on California issues. Following conversations with Judy Woodruff on national politics and Attorney General Rob Bonta on the legal landscape in California, Dan Walters will round out the series, providing timely insights on political and policy shifts happening across the state and what they mean for East Bay businesses and communities. DATE / TIME / LOCATION Thursday, April 10 12:00 - 1:15 PM Zoom Webinar REGISTER HERE https://lnkd.in/daH4Nqev

This year we were excited to welcome Quentin Foster, MPA, MPP to EBLC’s Board of Directors. With over 10 years of policy and government relations experience advocating on multi-state clean energy policy, Quentin Foster has sought ways to shape public policy that is more equitable and solution oriented. One of Quentin’s major accomplishments includes his work on the passage of ambitious climate goals in SB 32, which set a target for a reduction in GHG emissions to under 40% of 1990 levels by 2030. As Senior Director of California Climate and Energy for the Environmental Defense Fund, Quentin worked tirelessly with multiple coalitions to help extend the state’s landmark Cap and Trade Program, AB 398, to 2030. More recently he served the state as Director of External Affairs for the California Independent System Operator, the energy grid operator for 84% of the state’s electricity market. His latest efforts have seen him become the Chief Government Affairs Officer for H Cycle, LLC, a company focused on participating in the burgeoning green hydrogen industry. Quentin holds a B.S. in Economics from the University of San Francisco, a master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Public Policy from USC, and a graduate certificate in Leadership from Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Since graduating, he has collaborated with many California regulators, elected officials, and environmental stakeholders to advance equitable solutions in environmental and energy policy. Quentin’s expertise in hydrogen and the energy sector at large will greatly inform EBLC’s advocacy on energy policy. Welcome to the team Quentin!

Please join us in welcoming Andrew M. Bodisco to EBLC’s Board of Directors. Andrew has worked for Comerica Bank for 30 years. Having spent his career focusing on Commercial Banking in Northern California, Andrew is now a Group Manager in Business Banking where he helps privately held businesses with debt capital, cash management, deposit services, and strategic partnership. In addition to his work with Comerica Bank, Andrew is involved in several non-profits. He helps organize Bike to Hope, an event that raises money for the City of Hope, a cancer research hospital in Duarte, and serves as a youth sports coach for Contra Costa Composite Mountain Bike Team, part of NICA. Andrew grew up in Burlingame and his family has been in San Francisco & Northern California for five generations. He has a BS in Business Administration from San Jose State University and an MBA from Santa Clara University. Andrew lives in Danville with his wife, Sandy, and has 2 daughters — Stephanie works for a non-profit in Contra Costa County and Sarah is in 2nd year of law school at UC Law San Francisco. Andrew always roots for all the Northern California sports teams and against the Southern California ones. Andrew's decades of experience in commercial banking will provide valuable insights to EBLC’s economic policy priorities and advocacy. Welcome to the team Andrew!

I'm excited to share a recent NBC TV news story featuring a CSAA customer able to retain her home insurance because she secured a Wildfire Prepared Home certification. The story highlights that we are the only insurer offering this. It’s yet another way we are living into our mission of helping AAA members and communities prevent, prepare for and recover from life’s uncertainties with care and compassion. For more information on Wildfire Prepared Home, go to https://lnkd.in/gmpjvMVq https://lnkd.in/gB2aCnim

The East Bay needs more leaders who are ready to take on our most pressing challenges. That’s why the East Bay Leadership Council created Build the Bench—a candidate training program designed to help emerging and established leaders turn their passion for public service into action. Participants get expert guidance, campaign insights, and the tools they need to run and win. Applications for the 2025 program are open through March 14th. Learn more ➡️ www.buildthebench.com