Voices of MMANC began as part of the organization’s 75th anniversary in 2025, capturing member reflections on career growth, connection, and leadership in local government. Building on that foundation, it has evolved into a year round storytelling initiative that highlights the experiences, insights, and perspectives of members across Northern California, showcasing professional development, mentorship, and the relationships that shape the local government community.
Check out our September Voices and hear how MMANC members are finding community, building connections, and growing through their involvement with MMANC.
Shawn Smith
Senior Management Analyst
City of Fairfield
Member Since 2019
“Since joining MMANC in 2019, the organization has played a significant role in my professional growth by providing networking, leadership, and professional development opportunities. These experiences have helped build the skills, confidence, and connections needed to take on new challenges.”
Rebecca Scott
Director or Public Works, Operations & Maintenance
City of West Sacramento
Member Since 2019
“When I moved back to Northern California in 2019, I didn’t have a local professional network. I attended my first MMANC conference later that year, and I literally didn’t know anyone there. From the first networking lunch, I knew I had found a great community. Since then, I’ve participated in the CGL program and completed the UpNext Leadership Program, which was truly transformational for me. I’m so grateful for the lifelong friends, professional mentorship, support, and encouragement I’ve found through MMANC.”
Membership Spotlights
Have a story to share? We’d love to hear how MMANC has shaped your experience.
75 Years of MMANC
Celebrating 75 years in 2025, MMANC members reflected on the connections, experiences, and growth that have shaped their journeys and strengthened our local government community.
“As a member, celebrating 75 years of MMANC holds deep meaning. It represents decades of dedication, service, and leadership within local government. An organization with such a rich history reminds me of the many public servants who paved the way—those who served their communities with heart, resilience, and purpose. Being part of this milestone is an honor because it’s not just a celebration of the past, but a recognition of the ongoing commitment we all share to strengthen our communities and elevate the profession for the next generation.”
– Irene Barragan, City of Los Altos
“Recognizing and celebrating the first 75 years of MMANC supporting local government professionals is important because the work of board members, volunteers, presenters and members can be seen in successful local governments across Northern California. MMANC helps connect its members with best practices and new ideas while helping its members grow in their careers.”
– David Carnahan, City of Sunnyvale
“Since we weren’t able to celebrate the 70th in person, this was a chance to celebrate this milestone. I’ve been involved with inviting Past MMANC Presidents to our 2025 conference and it will be special to hear their MMANC memories.”
– Liz Lange, City of Redwood City
“It’s very special to be part of MMANC’s 75th anniversary and to reflect on how far our profession has come. This milestone highlights the lasting importance of continuous learning and leadership development in local government. It’s inspiring to see that, even after 75 years, MMANC continues to uphold those same values—supporting and growing the next generation of public service leaders just as strongly as it did when it began.”
– Daniel Leonardich, City of Roseville
“MMANC’s 75th anniversary feels like more than just a milestone. It’s a celebration of how far we’ve come as local government professionals and how much the organization has shaped our growth along the way. For years, MMANC has created space for connections, mentorship, and shared purpose among people who care about public service. I wanted to be part of this celebration because MMANC continues to influence how we grow not just as leaders, but as people. It’s exciting to be part of that legacy and to celebrate everything the organization has accomplished over the past 75 years.”
– LaKema Sams, West County Wastewater
“Seventy five years of MMANC means 75 years of advancing local government through networking, professional development, and support of fellow local government employees. I have no doubt that many people have found their mentors, more self-confidence, promotional opportunities, and more, just by being a member. I want to help celebrate it because MMANC has made a huge difference in my professional (and personal) life and I’m so thankful for this group!”
– Rebecca Scott, City of West Sacramento
“A 75th anniversary is an incredible milestone. For an association that began in 1950 to support the professional needs of public managers and has since grown to more than 500 members is truly something to be proud of. Over the years, careers in local government have evolved, and MMANC has grown right alongside them—continuing to empower and inspire public service professionals. I’m a proud member of this association because it has played a meaningful role in my own career growth, and I’m honored to celebrate and be part of its rich history.”
– Maritza Solis, City of Mill Valley
“MMANC’s 75th anniversary is a reminder of the legacy of service, leadership, and mentorship that has shaped our profession. I wanted to be part of the celebration because MMANC has played such a meaningful role in my own journey, and it’s an honor to reflect on the generations of local government professionals who helped build this organization.”
– Hazel Wetherford, City of Dublin
“This 75th anniversary represents a profound opportunity to celebrate the power of community in local government. As someone who found my professional home through MMANC, I understand deeply how transformative it is when people find their community: a place where they feel they belong, where their voice matters, and where they can grow alongside peers who understand the unique challenges of public service.
Being part of this celebration means helping ensure that what MMANC has provided for 75 years (connection, support, and belonging) continues to expand and evolve. It’s about honoring the foundation built by those before us while intentionally opening doors wider for the next generation of leaders, especially those who haven’t traditionally seen themselves reflected in local government leadership. This milestone isn’t just about looking back with pride; it’s about recommitting to being a welcoming community for everyone who serves our Northern California cities, counties, and special districts.”
– Aarón Zavala, City of Pleasanton
“This milestone reflects a legacy of leadership, service, and community within a profession that has welcomed and supported my growth. Through MMANC, I found a network that is deeply committed to uplifting emerging professionals like me, while honoring the paths paved by those who came before us.
Being part of this moment reminds me that I am now part of that continuum, carrying forward the values and impact of those leaders while helping shape what comes next. It’s both an honor and a responsibility to contribute to that legacy.”
– Alexxiss Diaz, City of Sacramento
2026 Committee
- Daniel Leonardich, City of Roseville, Membership Director (membership@mmanc.org)
- Kojo Pierce, City of Palo Alto, Region 1 Representative
- Daniel Sanchez, County of Napa, Region 2 Representative
- Alexxiss Diaz, City of Sacramento, Region 3 Representative
- Kerry Rivers, City of Martinez, Region 4 Representative
- Kenny Lipich, City of Tracy, Region 5 Representative
- Toni Oasay-Anderson, City of Cupertino, At-Large Representative
Alexxiss Diaz
Public Affairs Director
City of Sacramento, Council Office
Member Since 2023
“In the years ahead, I envision MMANC continuing to be a trailblazing organization, one that not only supports its members, but actively cultivates and empowers the next generation of leaders in local government.”
Nicole Stark
Management Analyst II
City of Petaluma
Member Since 2025
“I am excited by the opportunities MMANC provides to grow as a leader, contribute to the profession, and learn from those who are helping shape the future of local government.”
Femi Omotesho
Management Analyst II
City of Elk Grove
Member Since 2023
“MMANC has been a catalyst for my professional discipline. By diligently volunteering and taking on organizational responsibilities, I’ve learned to stretch my capabilities in ways I hadn’t imagined. That drive to excel within MMANC has carried over into my work in local government, pushing me to exceed expectations and resulting in tremendous personal and professional rewards.”
Daniel Leonardich
Management Analyst II
City of Roseville
Member Since 2019
“MMANC has opened the door to multiple professional development and training opportunities, helping me grow in ways that extend beyond my daily responsibilities. More importantly, it has given me exposure to professionals across different roles and cities, offering valuable context that I can bring back to my own organization. Along the way, I have also met several mentors who continue to inspire and guide my career.”
Aarón Zavala
Assistant to the City Manager
City of Pleasanton
Member since 2021
“Don’t wait until you have the ‘right’ credentials or enough experience to engage.
Invest in yourself. There have been times I’ve had to pay my own way for membership or programming when agency budgets couldn’t cover it. Take a chance on you. I promise it’s worth it. The connections, the learning, the opportunities that come from being part of this community will pay dividends throughout your career in ways you can’t predict.”
Hazel Wetherford
Deputy City Manager
City of Dublin
Member since 2007
“MMANC provided me with mentors, peers, and learning opportunities that shaped my leadership style and broadened my perspective. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support and community it offered.”
Jamie Achterberg
Assistant to the City Manager
City of Bakersfield
Member since 2024
“Being part of MMANC’s legacy means contributing to something larger than myself – a network of professionals committed to service, growth, and community impact. It’s about carrying forward the values that others have invested in before me, while also helping shape what comes next. There’s a responsibility in that, but also a lot of pride in being part of an organization that prioritizes people, purpose, and leadership in local government.”
Maritza Solis
Accounting Supervisor
City of Mill Valley
MMANC Member since 2018
“Being a woman in government leadership is an honor—one that comes with unique challenges. Listening to these women openly share how they’ve navigated and overcome obstacles in this field has given me valuable perspective and motivation to continue evolving as a leader.”
Maritza Solis
Accounting Supervisor
City of Mill Valley
MMANC Member since 2018
“Being a woman in government leadership is an honor—one that comes with unique challenges. Listening to these women openly share how they’ve navigated and overcome obstacles in this field has given me valuable perspective and motivation to continue evolving as a leader.”
David Carnahan
City Clerk
City of Sunnyvale
MMANC Member since 2014
“MMANC has helped me connect with colleagues across Northern California and expanded my professional network beyond City Clerk colleagues to folks working in all manner of local government careers.”
