By Ventura Breeze Staff
Ventura County Leadership Academy (VCLA) is pleased to announce the 2025 Journey to Leadership Awards honorees, recognizing six outstanding community leaders for their contributions to Ventura County. On Thursday, April 24th the community will join together to honor these local leaders at Zachari Dunes at Mandalay Beach in Oxnard.
• Business Leader of the Year – Edgar A. Terry, President and CFO, Terry Farms, Inc.
• Educational Leader of the Year – Leanne Neilson, PsyD, Provost, California Lutheran University
• Non-Profit Leader of the Year – Darcy Taylor, CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County
• Public Sector Leader of the Year – Celina L. Zacarias, Commissioner, Oxnard Harbor District; Port of Hueneme
• Alumni of the Year – Kevin Brannon, Founder, Reel Guppy Outdoors, VCLA Cohort XX
• Founder’s Award – Dr. Steven Elson, CEO Emeritus, Casa Pacifica, VCLA Class I “On behalf of the VCLA Board of Directors, it gives me great pleasure to announce the 2025 Journey to Leadership Award recipients,” said Jennifer Caldwell, VCLA Board President. “The honorees embody the spirit of collaboration, community engagement, and service that VCLA strives to instill in each graduate. These honorees are dedicated to Ventura County, living VCLA’s mission to connect and strengthen our county.”
Information on sponsorship opportunities or congratulatory ads to support VCLA’s honorees can be found at www.vcleadership.org or by contacting VCLA Executive Director Pattie Braga at PBraga@vcleadership.org.
About Ventura County Leadership Academy – The Ventura County Leadership Academy connects and cultivates a diverse network of passionate, capable leaders through an immersion in both critical issues shaping Ventura County and opportunities for personal and professional growth. VCLA’s comprehensive program ignites awareness and inspiration, helping cohort members discover their in dividual pathway toward impacting our region. – www.vcleadership.org – 805-253-2683
