Introduction

MMANC is thrilled to announce the 2025 launch of UpNext, a leadership community designed for municipal leaders in leadership roles like Assistant City Manager, Deputy City Manager, Director, Deputy Director, and Assistant to the City Manager.

New for 2025: We are going statewide! After 2 years of testing this concept, we’re excited to include our SoCal friends in the mix.

UpNext aims to serve these leaders by providing a structured community through small cohorts of up to 20 professionals who meet for curated personal and professional development, individual coaching, and to support one another as they prepare to take the next step in their careers.

Program Details

UpNext Cohorts will meet over 9 months, generally on the first Thursday (Cohort 1) or Friday (Cohort 2) of each month for a 2-hour cohort session with professional development training and facilitated breakout sessions. We’ll kick off and the program with in-person sessions to deepen connections, support and learning and will celebrate your progress with an in-person closing session at either the MMANC or MMASC Annual Conference.

Examples of session programming include:

• Leadership Style and Personality Assessments
• Personal Resilience Development
• Behind the Curtain Conversations with Current and Former City Managers and other experts
• MasterMind Problem Solving and Group Support

As a participant in UpNext, you will also receive 4 personal one-on-one coaching sessions with one of the Cohort facilitators, Cathy Capriola and Lisa Alessi.

Eligibility Requirements
UpNext is open to those local government professionals currently serving as Assistant City Manager, Deputy City Manager, Director, Deputy Director, or Assistant to the City Manager.

Participants must be current members of MMANC or MMASC.

Applications
Due to the demand for this program, UpNext Cohorts will be selected through an application process. The 2025 application will open on October 10 and close at 5pm on November 15, 2024.

Aside from serving in a current role as defined above, prior leadership development work, leading a team or having to work on behalf of a City or County Manager and thoroughness of your application answers are helpful in considering your application. Please note: We ask some demographic questions as we would like a balance of experience, both personal and professional, to ensure that the program is a richer experience for all.

Cost
The 2025 cost of UpNext will be $3,500 for the year. This includes four one-on-one coaching sessions, over 20 hours of facilitated content, access to dinners and happy hours for UpNexters throughout the year and registration to either the 2025 MMANC or MMASC Annual Conference.

Other Questions?
We’re happy to demystify anything for you: Please direct any questions regarding UpNext to UpNext@mmanc.org.

Informational Webinar
Did you miss our Informational Webinar on October 22, or want a refresher? You can find the slides from the presentation here

Advisory Board
UpNext is led by a Board of Advisors who include:

Chair, Jessica Deakyne, Assistant City Manager, City of Novato
Vice Chair, John Stefanski, Assistant City Manager, City of San Rafael
Cristine Alilovich, City Manager, City of San Rafael
Brett Channing, Assistant City Manager, City of Corona
Matthew Chidester, City Manager, City of Half Moon Bay
Elisa Cox, Assistant City Manager, City of Rancho Cucamonga
Monica Davis, Deputy City Administrator, City of Oakland
Reva Feldman, Former City Manager, City of Malibu
Liz Habkirk, Assistant City Manager, City of Napa
Grace Leung, City Manager, City of Newport Beach
Maria Ojeda, Assistant City Manager, City of American Canyon
Nat Rojanasathira, Assistant City Manager, City of Monterey