LEAD San Diego, the leadership development arm of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, honored eight community leaders Thursday with its annual Visionary Awards.
“Tonight as we celebrate those who have gone above and beyond as leaders we hope to inspire each guest with the confidence to know they too can make a difference,” said Chamber President and CEO Jerry Sanders. “San Diego needs leaders that are about understanding, collaboration, and the greater good, and that’s what LEAD seeks to provide through its programs.”
Nearly 800 business, community, and elected leaders attended the awards dinner at the Marriott Marquis & Marina in downtown San Diego.
Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins addressed the attendees about the importance of leadership for California’s communities. “Leadership is an evolution, it’s a journey,” she said.
The six awards and the community leaders receiving them were:
- Neil Morgan Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement — Karen S. Haynes, retiring president of California State University San Marcos
- LEAD Graduate of the Year award — Paul Hering, chairman of the west region for the Marsh & McLennan Agency
- Innovation and Economic Opportunity Award — Felena Hanson, founder of Hera Hub; and Silvia Mah, founder of Hera Labs and president of CONNECT
- Ronald Kendrick Memorial Award for Regional Collaboration — Bishop Cornelius Bowser, co-founder of the Community Assistance Support Team
- Charles Nathanson Memorial Award for Cross-Border Region Building — Jean Guerrero, border reporter for KPBS
- 2019 Community Spotlight Award — Mia and Steve Roseberry, founders of Wounded Warrior Homes
LEAD seeks to create a network of leaders equipped with the skills, insight, and passion needed to work collaboratively across industries and issues. The organization offers a suite of programs designed to mobilize leaders by enhancing knowledge of key regional issues, strengthening personal leadership skills and establishing strong community connections.