Class of 2026
Brenda Rivas
Meals on Wheels of Salinas Valley
Program Coordinator
Brenda Rivas began her work with Meals On wheels of Salinas Valley in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. She coordinates senior meal services, volunteers, and senior social events across Salinas and rural communities, and finds the greatest joy in connecting seniors with resources and seeing their smiles at community gatherings. Born and raised in El Salvador, Brenda holds a degree in Architecture and has some years of experience in architecture and design in El Salvador. She later expanded her professional background with studies in AutoCAD, interior design, and a successful career in the insurance industry. Brenda has been an active member of the Salinas Steinbeck Rotary Club since 2019 and served as Club President in 2022–2023. She remains deeply committed to local & international community service through Rotary, her church (Madonna del Sasso Pastoral Council member), and local organizations. Outside of work, Brenda enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, a U.S. Marine veteran, her daughter, a UCLA graduate, and their two dogs, Princess Lilly and Sergeant Coco.
Brian Constable
Monterey County Bank
Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer
Brian oversees credit administration, portfolio management, and risk oversight at Monterey County Bank. With a strong focus on relationship banking, operational excellence, and community engagement, Brian collaborates across the organization to support responsible growth, strengthen lending practices, and enhance the overall client experience. Throughout his career, Brian has earned a reputation for thoughtful leadership, integrity, and a collaborative, solutions‑oriented approach to problem‑solving. His work regularly intersects with community initiatives, business development efforts, and strategic planning throughout Monterey County. As a member of the Leadership Monterey County 2026 Cohort, Brian looks forward to deepening his understanding of regional issues, strengthening civic and community partnerships, and contributing to sustainable economic growth across the county.
Christopher Tomlinson
Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station
Operations Manager
In his role as Operations Manager, Christopher supports marine research by leading the station’s scientific diving and boating programs and overseeing core station operations. He manages the station’s scientific diving and boating programs and oversees the station’s daily operations, working closely with researchers, students, and staff to support marine research, outreach, and a strong, inclusive station community. Christopher brings a collaborative, solutions-driven approach to leadership, with a focus on enabling people and programs to thrive
Emily Jane Freed
Area Director
University of California Cooperative Extension
Emily serves as Area Director in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties, advancing research and education in sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and food security across the Central Coast. She provides strategic leadership to multidisciplinary teams supporting farmers, families, and communities through science-based programs that strengthen regional resilience.
Previously, Emily was Supply Chain Director at Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County, overseeing distribution of 11 million pounds of food annually in partnership with more than 100 agencies. She also held key leadership roles during major emergencies, including the 2023 Atmospheric River storms, the 2020 CZU Fire, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Emily holds a Master of Science in Emergency Services Administration from CSU, Long Beach, focusing on disaster preparedness for farmworkers, a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Communications and Spanish from the University of Oregon, and a certificate in Ecological Horticulture from UC Santa Cruz.
Jake Stroud
County of Monterey
Treasurer-Tax Collector
Jake Stroud serves as the Treasurer-Tax Collector for the County of Monterey, safeguarding public funds and advancing transparent, accountable government for residents, schools, and special districts. Appointed unanimously by the Board of Supervisors, he oversees the collection of more than $1.1 billion annually in property and business taxes and manages the County’s $3.5 billion Treasury Investment Pool, ensuring prudent investment, strong liquidity, and regulatory compliance. With over 15 years in public finance and tax administration, Jake brings expertise in treasury operations, fiscal policy, and government modernization, including leadership in improving Minnesota’s statewide tax e-services. He holds CCMT, CPFIM, and CGIP designations and executive leadership credentials. An engaged Monterey County resident, he serves on the CalTRUST Board and volunteers locally.
Kelly Donlon
County Counsel & Risk Management
Chief Assistant Counsel
Kelly assists the County Counsel in overseeing all operations of the office. In addition, Ms. Donlon advises the Monterey County Water Resources Agency and the Monterey Bay Air Resources District. She also works on a variety of other matters at the direction of the County Counsel including advising the Board of Supervisors, County Administrative Office, and other departments on water, land use, finance, conflict of interest, real property, public contracts, and numerous other issues. Ms. Donlon previously practiced in Colorado working for a private firm that represented municipalities around the state. Prior to her practice in Denver, Ms. Donlon practiced in San Francisco representing corporate and public entity defendants in insurance defense litigation, including products liability and premises liability cases. She earned her J.D. from Santa Clara University in 2005, and her B.A. in Economics from University of Colorado in 2002. She is admitted to practice law in California and Colorado.
Leah Hudkins
Montage Health
Assistant Director of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology
Leah Hudkins provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for imaging services at Montage Health. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Imaging Technology and a Master’s degree in Radiology Management, reflecting her strong academic foundation and commitment to advancing excellence in healthcare imaging. Leah began her career as an x-ray and MRI technologist in Indiana, gaining valuable frontline clinical experience that continues to inform her leadership approach today. After relocating to California in 2015, she and her husband quickly fell in love with the Monterey Bay area and chose to make it their permanent home. With over a decade of experience in medical imaging, Leah is known for her collaborative leadership style, dedication to patient-centered care, and passion for supporting high-performing teams. Outside of work Leah enjoys the coastal lifestyle, living aboard a boat in the Monterey Bay with her husband and their two small rescue dogs.
Leonie Gray
Office of Supervisor Glenn Church
Policy Analyst​
​Leonie works as a Policy Analyst for Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church, covering matters related to health, social services, homelessness, water, animal services, transportation, and illegal dumping. She likes to find creative solutions to problems that we face in our community and she is passionate about helping connect residents with the resources they need. Born and raised in Salinas, Leonie moved back to Monterey County after graduating from the University of California, Berkeley with her BA in Sociology. In her free time, Leonie enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and hanging out with friends, family, and her dog.
Monica Sanchez Hale
Office of Supervisor Chris Lopez
Policy Analyst
Monica Sanchez Hale has been with the County for over a decade, including five years in her current position. In her role, she supports initiatives across South Monterey County with a focus on housing, water, and advancing community needs through an equitable lens. Monica enjoys coordinating special projects such as community Listening Sessions, the South County Young Leaders program, and Operation Santa, and is especially passionate about connecting residents to resources through constituent services. She values collaborative leadership that centers community voice and impact. Beyond her work, she enjoys volunteering and opening her home to foster dogs, combining her love of service with her compassion for animals.
Nathan Kieu
City of Salinas
Deputy Director of Economic Development
Nathan Kieu serves as Deputy Director of Economic Development for the City of Salinas. A mission-driven local government leader and U.S. Air Force veteran, he brings nearly a decade of experience advancing real estate development, investment attraction, business support, and cross-sector partnerships. In Salinas, Nathan leads efforts to catalyze strategic development projects, attract new investment, and strengthen support systems for local businesses. He works to enhance city processes, streamline development and permitting, and foster a more business-friendly environment that encourages sustainable economic growth. His collaborative approach focuses on aligning public and private partners to create long-term community impact. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California, Riverside, and dual master’s degrees in Public Administration and Urban Planning from the University of Southern California.
Aaron Hernandez Transportation Agency for Monterey County, Transportation Planner
Adriana Gonzalez Soledad Community Health District, Director of Communications
Alison Imamura Monterey One Water, Principal Engineer
Blair Limon Natividad Medical Center, Director of Therapy Services
Brandon Sharpe Rayne Technology Solutions, Business Development Executive
Carlos Acosta Salinas Police Department, Police Chief
Christopher Dwight City of Monterey, General Services Superintendent
David Ramirez ReGen Monterey, Director of Engineering and Compliance
Denise Gomez Bay Federal Credit Union, AVP Branch Manager
Faith Balaban Montage Health, Human Experience Manager
Greg McDanel City of Seaside, City Manager
Jason Wilfong DeVeera Inc, CEO
Jennifer Rivas County of Monterey Health Department, Management Analyst II
Jessica Macias YWCA Monterey County, CEO
Jessica Ruiz Cal State University Monterey Bay, Director of Development
John Gaglioti Piazza Portola Capital, Owner
Kirk Edwards Alvarez Technology Group, Sales Manager
Omar Perez-Sandoval Joby Aviation, Workforce Development Associate
Richard Morales Hartnell College, Director of Communications & Marketing
Tara Clemens Fenton & Keller, Associate Attorney
Yadira Sandoval Hobby Natividad Medical Foundation
Zandra Jo Galvan Salinas Union High School District, Superintendent
