LEAD San Diego Presents 20th Annual Visionary Awards

EVENTS: Six Leaders Recognized for Passion, Commitment to Community

LEAD San Diego brought together business, community and elected leaders for its 20th annual Visionary Awards on Sept. 14. The prestigious event was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis and Marina.

LEAD San Diego, an affiliate of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, is dedicated to cultivating the region's most effective leaders, providing them with the knowledge, tools and network to make meaningful change.

This year's program theme, “Leading Forward,” was a call for all in the community to make positive, meaningful change through leadership rooted in collaboration, inclusivity and understanding.

The “Leading Forward” theme also highlights the community of leaders united by a shared connection to LEAD programs and how each of us plays a unique and important role in making a difference in the world, event organizers said.

“For more than four decades, LEAD San Diego has been cultivating our region's most effective leaders, making sure we are equipping the trailblazers of today, and developing those who will lead us into the future,” said San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jerry Sanders. “A piece of our work as an organization is also recognizing individuals who have contributed their innovative ideas, collaborative approaches, and commitment to making our community a better place and leading our region forward.”

“LEAD San Diego is all about empowering San Diego changemakers, creating collaboration success stories, and highlighting innovative leadership,” said Trevor Blair, LEAD San Diego Board Chair, graduate of LEAD Impact and Influence programs, and CEO of Blair Search Partners. “Tonight's event celebrates our region's visionary leaders, and all who believe in the innate potential for great leadership in each one of us. Together, we continue to pave the way and advance our community.”

Six local leaders were recognized for their contributions to the region's growth and potential through their time, talent, and innovation.

This year's Visionary Award honorees:

● Neil Morgan Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement

Dr. Constance Carroll, Chancellor Emerita, San Diego Community College District and President & CEO, California Community College Baccalaureate Association

● LEAD Graduate of the Year award Sam Attisha, Senior Vice President of Field Operations, Cox Communications

● Innovation and Economic Opportunity Award

Dr. Adela de la Torre, President, San

Diego State University

● Ronald Kendrick Memorial Award for Regional Collaboration

Nathan Fletcher, Chair, San Diego County Board of Supervisors

● Charles Nathanson Memorial Award for Cross-Border Region Building

Yolanda Selene Walther-Meade, Co-Founder, This is About Humanity

● 2022 Community Spotlight Award Tracy Morris (Posthumous), Co-Founder, Blue Heart Foundation The 2022 Visionary Awards are sponsored by U.S. Bank, ABC 10News San Diego, Wells Fargo, Alaska Airlines, SDG&E, Cox Communications, Qualcomm, Southwest Airlines, VetPowered, The Shipyard, Union Bank, Manpower, Moss Adams, National University, University of California in San Diego, California Community College Baccalaureate Association, Gensler and Clark, Hunter Industries, JONES, Kaiser Permanente, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego Foundation, SDSU/ Division for Research and Innovation, San Diego Tourism Authority, Asian Business Association of San Diego, Barbara Noerenberg, Bartell Hotels, Blair Search Partners, CSU San Marcos, General Dynamics NASSCO, Intesa Communications Group, MAAC Project, Mitsubishi Cement Corporation, Nikki Clay, Port of San Diego, Promises2Kids, Reality Changers/Junior Achievement, Republic Services, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, The Antorge Group, and YMCA of San Diego County.

LEAD San Diego aims to create a network of leaders equipped with the skills, insight, and passion needed to work collaboratively across industries and issues to positively transform their communities and country.

As the nonpartisan, leadership development arm of the San Diego Regional Chamber, LEAD San Diego offers a diverse suite of programs designed to mobilize leaders by enhancing knowledge of key regional issues, strengthening personal leadership skills and establishing strong community connections. For more information, please visit sdchamber.org/lead.

The San Diego Regional Chamber is the largest local Chamber on the West Coast, representing approximately 2,500 businesses and an estimated 300,000 jobs.