ALEO Panels
ALEO Conference Module 1:
January 9, 2025 9:00am – 10:00am
Stephen Puetz
PanelistAxiom StrategiesPartner
Chris Cate
PanelistFounder of 3MC StrategiesFormer San Diego City Council member
Campaign Politics vs. Governing: Navigating the Transition from Candidate to Public Leader
This panel explores the critical transition from campaigning for office to governing effectively as a public leader. It delves into the contrasting dynamics between campaign strategies—centered on messaging, voter engagement, and winning elections—and the demands of governance, which require consensus-building, policy implementation, and resource management.
The discussion will address the challenges newly elected officials face as they reconcile campaign promises with the practicalities of public leadership. Key topics include:
- Bridging the gap between campaign commitments and governance realities.
- Transition planning and building effective leadership teams.
- Navigating relationships with stakeholders such as voters, interest groups, and legislative bodies.
- Communicating with transparency and integrity in a governing role.
- Managing crises and fostering public trust.
Participants will gain actionable strategies to align their leadership style with the long-term objectives of effective public service.
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ALEO Conference Module 1:
January 9, 2025 10:00am – 10:30am
Sharon Spivak
PresenterSan Diego Ethics CommissionExecutive Director
Ethics in Governing & Transparency: Navigating the Minefield
This presentation delves into the critical ethical considerations and transparency requirements that shape effective governance. We will explore the principles of open government and the role that ethics plays. Additionally, the presentation will cover the complexities of navigating key relationships within the governmental structure while maintaining ethical standards, avoiding conflicts of interest, and effective communications with the public. Special attention will be given to identifying and mitigating potential legal issues that can arise in public service, ensuring that officials not only comply with the law but also foster trust and accountability within their communities.
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ALEO Conference Module 1:
January 9, 2025 10:45am – 12:00pm
Leslie Devaney
Panel Moderator & PanelistDevaney Pate Morris & Cameron (DPMC) Firm Managing and Founding Partner
Rod Gould
PanelistFormer City ManagerEd.M Chairman, Hdl Companies
Mary Sessom
PanelistFormer SANDAG ChairFormer Mayor, City of Lemon Grove
Denise Price
PanelistFormer San Diego City Council Chief of StaffSenior Vice President, ClayCo,
Panel - Legal Authority and Structure: Understanding Charter Cities vs. General Law Cities, Council-Manager vs. Strong Mayor Structures, Elected and Professional Roles and Responsibilities
This panel examines local municipal government in California, focusing on legal authority, responsibilities, and implications for local governance. Particular attention will be paid to the differences between “Charter” and “General Law” cities, and how they derive their powers. The discussion will include an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of “council-manager” and “mayor-council” structures, and the roles and relationships among council members, mayors, city managers and other professional staff. The panel will include individuals who have knowledge of these different local institutions, their powers and structures, as well as their various advantages and limitations. Panelists will also relate their experiences working within in these different structures, and the different elected and professional roles that they have played while working within them.
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ALEO Conference Module 1:
January 9, 2025 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Stephen Russell
Panel ModeratorSan Diego Housing FederationPresident & CEO
Lisa Jones
PanelistSan Diego Housing CommissionPresident & Chief Executive Officer
Tamera Kohler
PanelistChief Executive Officer at Regional Task Force on Homelessness
David Estrella
PanelistCounty of San DiegoDirector at Housing and Community Development Services
The Future of Local Government Collaborations in the Context of the San Diego Region: Housing and Homelessness Challenges and Solutions
This panel explores the latest policies shaping San Diego’s landscape, with a focus on the critical issues relating to housing and homelessness. Through case studies and real-world examples, attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how key agencies and stakeholders are working in collaboration to address current regional challenges and shape the region’s future.
The presentation will provide practical insights into the inner workings of regional agencies, illustrating how strategic planning and governance processes contribute to and sometimes impede effective regional management and policy implementation. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how these agencies operate, make decisions, and achieve their goals.
Key topics include:
- The overlapping roles of agencies and jurisdictions
- The formal and informal ways that collaboration takes place
- Challenges and opportunities presented by multiple agency involvement
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ALEO Conference Module 2:
January 16, 2025 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Nicole Capretz
Panel ModeratorClimate Action CampaignFounder and Chief Executive Officer
Paula Forbis
PanelistSan Diego County Air Pollution Control DistrictAir Pollution Control Officer (APCO)
Crystal Najera
PanelistDevelopment Services Department, City of EncinitasSustainability Manager
Colin Santulli
PanelistSan Diego Community PowerDirector of Programs
Intergovernmental relations: Navigating roles and responsibilities across local, state, and federal governments
This presentation and panel discussion will examine the complex web of relationships, goals, and responsibilities that connect local, state, and federal governments, using regional electrification efforts as a case study. We will explore how these different levels of government interact, collaborate, and sometimes conflict in the development and implementation of public policy relating to electrification in the San Diego region.
Participants will gain an understanding of the distinct roles each level of government plays, from the local government's responsibility for community services and land use planning to the state's role, and the federal government's overarching duties. Through the electrification case study, the panel discussion will highlight how intergovernmental relations are managed through education, cooperation, funding, legal and regulatory frameworks, and the challenges that arise in aligning goals and policies across different levels of government.
ALEO Conference Module 2:
January 16, 2025 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Mark Cafferty
Panel ModeratorSan Diego Regional Economic Development CorporationPresident & CEO
Sharon Cooney
PanelistMTS Chief Executive Officer
Mario Orso
PanelistSANDAGChief Executive Officer
Shawn Donaghy
PanelistNorth County Transit District (NCTD)Chief Executive Officer
Regional Agencies in San Diego: Key Players and Collaborative Dynamics
This presentation provides an in-depth look at several of the major regional agencies in San Diego and their roles in shaping the region’s infrastructure, transportation, environment, and community services. We will explore the functions and responsibilities of:
- San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG): Coordinating regional planning and transportation projects.
- San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS): Providing public transit services in the San Diego County region.
- North County Transit District (NCTD): Providing public transit services in Northern San Diego County.
We will examine how these agencies collaborate, their impact on regional planning and services, and how they address the complex needs of the San Diego region. The presentation and panel discussion will highlight the importance of effective inter-agency cooperation in achieving regional goals and improving quality of life for residents.
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ALEO Conference Module 2:
January 16, 2025 2:45pm – 4:00pm
Betsy Brennan
ModeratorDowntown San Diego PartnershipPresident and CEO
Jim Madaffer
PanelistCEO, Madaffer Enterprises
Catherine Hill
PanelistLeague of California CitiesRegional Public Affairs Manager, San Diego and Imperial Counties
Almis Udrys
PanelistOpenGov Inc.Senior Director
Panel - Key Stakeholders in Government and Governance: Understanding Influence and Interaction
This panel discussion explores the crucial stakeholders involved in government and governance, focusing on their roles, influence, and interactions within the political landscape. We will examine the diverse interests of constituents, unions, non-profits, lobbyists, and industry, highlighting how each of these groups impacts policy-making and government decisions.
The discussion will delve into the dynamics between elected officials and these stakeholders, emphasizing how their engagement shapes public policy and the direction of local, state, and national governance. Special attention will be given to the strategies stakeholders use to advocate for their interests, the ethical considerations involved, and the ways in which public officials balance these competing demands while striving to serve the public good.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the power dynamics at play in governance, the importance of stakeholder engagement, and the challenges of managing these relationships in a transparent and accountable manner.
