Announcing a hotel block for Women’s Leadership Summit 2025!
Do you have a long drive? Stay the night! MMANC has partnered with Hyatt House in Emeryville to provide rooms at a special rate. Rooms are limited, book today! Use the link below:
MMANC Women’s Leadership Summit
For more information or questions on the hotel room block, reach out to Rosa Ramos at RRamos@lpfire.org.
The one-day event will be filled with inspiring panels, empowering conversations, and dynamic networking opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a rising star, this summit is your chance to ignite your leadership journey and connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for making a difference in our communities. Recognized as one of MMANC’s premier events, the summit serves as a platform to propel future leaders of government forward, offering insights, strategies, and inspiration to navigate the challenges and opportunities in public service.
Tuesday May 6, 2025
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Oakland Scottish Rite Center
1547 Lakeside Drive
Oakland, CA 94612
Registration – Sold Out
MMANC Member $135
Nonmember $175
Student Member $100
Wait List registration below.
Program Information – Final Program Link
| Time | Program Information |
|---|---|
| 8:30 – 9:00 am | Registration/Breakfast Sponsored by Peckham & McKenney |
| 9:00 – 9:10 am | Welcome and Opening Remarks Candice Rankin Mumby, MMANC President, Sustainability Manager, City of Walnut Creek Co-Chair Rosa Ramos, Management Analyst, Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Co-Chair Sarah La Torra, Interim Library Director, City of Redwood City |
| 9:10 – 9:25 am | Welcome to Oakland Dr. Holly Joshi, Chief of Violence Prevention, City of Oakland |
| 9:25 – 10:05 am | Keynote: Stay in the Race: Yes, You Can Assistant Sheriff Tanzanika Carter, San Francisco Sheriff’s Office Women leaders can thrive by embracing four key principles: purpose, passion, perseverance, and a plan. Learn how aligning with your purpose fuels determination, passion drives innovation, perseverance breaks barriers, and a solid plan ensures sustained success. |
| 10:05 – 10:20 am | Coffee Break Sponsored by Miller Consulting |
| 10:20 – 11:15 am (Concurrent) | Building Emotional Resilience in Leadership Maria Elena De Guevara, Retired, Director of Human Resources, HR Works! Leadership comes with constant challenges, from navigating uncertainty to making difficult decisions. Emotional resilience is the key to staying adaptable, confident, and effective in the face of adversity. In this interactive session, participants will explore the essential components of emotional resilience and learn practical strategies to strengthen their leadership mindset. Through engaging discussions and hands-on activities, attendees will gain tools to manage stress, cultivate self-awareness, and enhance their ability to lead with composure. By the end of the session, participants will leave with a personalized emotional resilience action plan to implement immediately in their leadership roles. |
| 10:20 – 11:15 am (Concurrent) | Resilient Jefas: Lessons in Self-Awareness and Overcoming Self-Doubt Presented by Unidos Norcal Ariana Adame, Director of Capital Projects, City of West Sacramento Lupita Alamos, Assistant to the City Manager in the City of Palo Alto An interactive session on recognizing limiting beliefs, embracing self-worth, and using emotional intelligence to build confidence and success. |
| 11:15 am – 12:30 pm | Executive Roundtable Sponsored by Women Leading Government |
| 12:30 – 1:30 pm | Lunch Sponsored by Ogden Costa |
| 1:30 – 2:20 pm (Concurrent) | Power of Firsts: Women Leading Government with Impact Panel led by Patricia Martel, ICMA West Coast Regional Director, Retired City Manager LaTanya Bellow, City Manager, City of Emeryville Rebecca Scott, Director of Operations, Citrus Heights Water District Stacey Gill, Chief Building Official, Danville Diana Bishop, Peckham & McKenney, Retired Police Chief, City of San Rafael An inspiring panel featuring four trailblazing women who have broken barriers as the first female leaders in their respective positions within their government organizations. Guided by a retired city manager and seasoned leader, this dynamic conversation explores the power of emotional intelligence, resilience, and mentorship in navigating leadership within traditionally male-dominated fields. Panelists will share personal stories of leading with heart, overcoming internal and external challenges, and shaping more inclusive, empathetic organizations. Whether you’re an emerging leader or a seasoned professional, this session will leave you empowered with insights, encouragement, and practical advice to champion the next generation of women in government. |
| 1:30 – 2:20 pm (Concurrent) | Building a Culture of Trust: Fostering Collaboration & Authenticity in the Workplace Panel by Tripepi Smith Azenith Smith, Police Media & Community Relations Analyst, Livermore Police Department Stephanie Egidio, Assistant to the City Manager, City of Livermore Christine Martin, Director, Tripepi Smith A strong workplace culture is built on trust, collaboration and authenticity. This panel will explore strategies for creating an environment where employees feel valued, empowered, and connected to their organization’s mission. Stephanie Egidio, Assistant to the City Manager in the City of Livermore, and Christine Martin, Director at Tripepi Smith and TS Talent Solutions, will share insights on fostering open communication, aligning values with daily operations and cultivating a sense of belonging that drives engagement and organizational success. |
| 2:20 – 2:35 pm | Coffee Break Sponsored by Miller Consulting |
| 2:35 – 3:55 pm | Keynote: The Non-Linear Path to Leadership Dr. Holly Joshi, Chief of Violence Prevention, City of Oakland Daniella Medina, Deputy Chief of Direct Practice, City of Oakland Using passion, professional expertise, and lived experience as your roadmap |
| 3:55 – 4:00 pm | End of Day Announcements |
| 4:30 – 6:00 pm | Happy Hour and Networking at Lake Chalet |
| Breakfast | Lunch | Coffee Break | Executive Coaching Roundtable |
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Rising Star Award and Career Excellence Awards
The Municipal Management Association of Northern California (MMANC) and California Women Leading Government (WLG) are thrilled to announce that we are soliciting nominations for the Rising Star award and the Career Excellence award. Please take a moment to consider whom among your staff, peers, and colleagues may qualify for these awards. Recipients will be recognized at the 2025 Women’s Leadership Summit in Oakland, CA on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
MMANC RISING STAR AWARD
The Rising Star Award is presented to an MMANC member who is a woman and demonstrates the leadership skills crucial to sound local government, exemplifies the ethics that are core to MMANC, and seeks out opportunities for professional development. In addition to leadership skills, ethics, and a commitment to professional development, a Rising Star award winner has the following traits: 
- Dedication to a career focused in local government
- Exemplary performance in her position and commitment to her organization or department
- A track record of contributing to her organization as a leader, motivator and innovator
MMANC members are encouraged to nominate fellow members (or themselves) for this award. The recipient must be a current Full Member of MMANC. To verify membership status, please email membership@mmanc.org. Submit nominations using this google form: https://forms.gle/7J6JraGSWbqjbRp27.
WLG CAREER EXCELLENCE AWARD
California Women Leading Government (WLG) is soliciting nominations for the Women’s Leadership Summit Career Achievement Award. The Career Excellence Award was established in 2007 as part of the Inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit. WLG is a professional organization with a mission to inspire and prepare women to be local government executive leaders and support their success.
The Career Achievement Award is presented to a woman who is dedicated to the field of local government, has taken a proactive approach to her own personal and professional development, and contributes to the community as a leader and facilitator.
A Career Achievement Award winner has the following traits:
- Primary career focus has been in local government.
- Has spent the past 10 years in an executive leadership position either as a department head, assistant city manager or city manager (or equivalent county or special district positions).
- Incorporates high standards in her decision-making, work performance, and ability to work with others.
- Contributes to the organization as a leader, motivator and mentor.
- Has an inclusive and positive approach towards leadership, empowers others to recognize their full potential and encourages opportunities for career development.
- Contributes to the community as a leader and facilitator.
- Is a forward thinker and works towards implementing positive changes and high standards throughout her community and organization.
In order to nominate a woman for the Career Excellence award, please provide a brief summary of the Nominee’s background, professional and/or personal achievements and why she is most deserving of this award. References and supporting material are not required but are allowed. Submit your nomination by e-mail to habrams@townoffairfax.org
Nominations are due by 4:00 p.m., Thursday, April 10, 2025. Winners will be recognized at the Women’s Leadership Summit on May 6, 2025 in Oakland, CA.
“It’s inspiring to talk to so many bright young women at the Summit who are moving into executive management. They are our future leaders and our governments are in good hands!” – Jan Perkins (former City Manager), Senior Partner, Management Partners, ICMA Senior Advisor, Women Leading Government Board Member
“The Summits have been really great over the years, and I have loved participating in them as a speaker, a roundtable executive, and as an attendee. The roundtable discussions have been really wonderful experiences for me, because even though I am the “executive,” I have learned just as much from the other people at the table as they may have learned from me. All of these women, no matter what level or position they happen to be, are my colleagues in local government, and being able to support one another and learn from one another is incredibly important and valuable. Every time I attend a Summit I feel like I make new friends and contacts that I can call on anytime. And to me, that is what it’s all about!” – Karen Pinkos, City Manager, City of El Cerrito
“The MMANC Women’s Leadership Summit is a “don’t miss” event. The dynamic speakers and the Executive Roundtable discussions educate and energize everyone. The comfortable and inclusive environment enhances this professional growth opportunity regardless of your position or tenure in local government employment.” – Linda Barton, Special Advisor, Management Partners
“The roundtable was a fast and fun opportunity to sharelessons learnedwith our emerging leaders. Moving from table to table was an adventure. My conversations went from budgets to professional development tothe art of juggling marriage, motherhood and career. It was a terrific learning experience for me too!” – Reyna Farrales, Retired Deputy County Manager, San Mateo County
