Leadership Focus: New Directors of Education

COVER STORY

CALF Announces Interim Co-Directors of Education

BY ABBY TAYLOR-SILVA (45), CALF EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND LIZA ROBERTSON

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Peggy Perry (9) and Dr. Robert Flores have been named interim co-directors of education for the California Ag Leadership Foundation (CALF). With more than 50 years combined engagement on the CALF Education Team (Ed Team), Perry and Flores bring substantial experience, program awareness and mentoring skills to the positions. Their new roles began on May 1, 2021 to coincide with the departure of former Director of Education Shelli Hendricks. Perry will also continue her role as coach to all program fellows.

During this interim period, which is expected to last until Feb. 28, 2023 to coincide with the commencement of Class 51, Programs Manager Judy Sparacino and I will also take on additional roles. I will oversee development of the national and international seminars, with the guidance and support of the Ed Team. Sparacino will build upon her current role related to selection and program support. As part of their roles, Perry and Flores will eventually help to guide the selection of a new director of education.

“We are very fortunate to have Peggy and Bob join our team in these new roles during such a critical and transformative time for the foundation,” said CALF President and CEO Dwight Ferguson. “We are on the cusp of finalizing a strategic plan that will help sustain our fellowship program well into the future, so we may continue to grow leaders who make a difference. Peggy and Bob have the unique skill sets needed to ensure our program, the most critical component of the foundation, is nurtured and given what it needs to achieve excellence.”

Perry is a professor emeritus at Cal Poly Pomona, and has spent her career teaching in the fields of plant science and leadership. Her teaching specialties have included California native plant materials, culinary produce, women in agriculture, leadership development and various issues related to agricultural literacy. Her research has focused on faculty vitality, institutional leadership and adult development. Perry is a Class 9 alum and has been a member of the Ed Team since 1986. She has also led the coaching element of the program for the past 10 years. Flores recently retired from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo after a 37-year career in higher education. He joined Cal Poly in 1983 after teaching high school for five years. At Cal Poly, he served as a department head and professor in the Agricultural Education and Communication Department. Flores has been a member of the Ed Team for nearly 25 years and served as director of education from 1997 to 2000. He has also served as a presenter on the topics of preferential behavior, learning styles and values programming. In retirement, Flores continues in his role as a member of the Ed Team. Additionally, he is a member of the San Luis Obispo County Medical Service Corp and a co-advisor to the Latinos in Agriculture student organization at Cal Poly.

Reflections and Looking Ahead: Q&A With Ag Leadership’s Co-Directors of Education

Q: How has the program evolved? Dr. Perry: The most significant change over the years, from my perspective, is the shift from a curriculum that was primarily about broadening perspectives and teaching skills to one that focuses on the self. While there are still many pieces that encourage an expanded view and there are skills developed, such as public speaking and managing difficult conversations, there is much more time spent on developing selfawareness in the individual, as well as support to make positive changes and increase influence. This makes for an experience that is potentially transformative, rather than only broadening.

Dr. Flores: The evolution from my perspective began with Class 28. A deep dive into the curriculum took place as I was beginning my association with the organization. Tim LaSalle (6), the foundation’s president and CEO at the time, also served in the capacity of director of education. He brought core faculty from the partner institutions as well as other influencers together to do a “deep dive” into the curriculum and try to coordinate the various segments. As I understand it, it was the first time the faculty representatives from each of the universities devoted uninterrupted time together in fitting the various pieces together, almost as if it was a puzzle. The result was a much more coordinated curriculum.

The second evolution during my tenure occurred when Bob Gray became president and CEO. It was quite evident that enhancements to the program were necessary. New self-assessments were introduced, and the dream of including coaching as a part of the fellowship experience became a reality. The leadership program length was also adjusted at this time to honor the advice and wishes of stakeholders.

The result of the 2021 strategic planning exercise is inevitably further refinements to the program. Program evolution has been constant, and the major changes I have witnessed over the years have served this program and its participants well! Q: What keeps you inspired to continue working with new classes? Dr. Perry: I’m always motivated by the discovery process with new participants. Learning about their personal stories, the things they have in common with others and the things that make them unique and special. In the coaching work, I enjoy bringing feedback from our various instruments to a fellow and helping them accept their gifts and capabilities, along with guiding them to address things that will help them be more effective in their personal and professional lives. It is a rare privilege to walk alongside a person on their individual journey.

Dr. Flores: It was Dr. Joe Sabol (one of the original campus coordinators!) who introduced me to the California Agricultural Leadership Program. Little did I know that my first experiences with this group was a part of his succession planning. I have always been inspired by him. He started working with the program in 1972 and continues his involvement with the organization to this day. I am inspired by his actions. I am also inspired by the team of professionals who make up the Education Team. And, finally, I am inspired by the interactions I have with fellows. Hanging around with accomplished and aspiring leaders is very rewarding!

Q: What have the most impactful seminars been for you in your time with the program? Dr. Perry: There are so many! Most of my recollections are in snapshots. I have special memories of the finale dinners at the end of international seminars. These are poignant opportunities for fellows to recognize, from afar, gratitude for the lives they lead at home, and to reflect on how their travels have impacted them. In addition, I have met so many people— some better-known, such as Father Greg Boyle and Sister Libby—but many others not known outside of their communities—both in the U.S. and around the world—who live a life of service and compassion for others. I am inspired by their selflessness and the way they are grounded in their values. Through these and other experiences, I feel very fortunate to have “gone through Ag Leadership” many times over the years. There is always more to learn. Dr. Flores: The travel seminars have consistently been impactful for me because of how they are integrated into the overall program. These seminars provide an opportunity for fellows to practice what they have learned in unfamiliar environments. The reflections and dialogue that follows is precious. Any time you get a group of aspiring leaders traveling together, you are bound to encounter a variety of learning experiences. The content and the sites being visited are critical to the success of the program, but the mere fact that you have a cohort of people experiencing the same thing at the same time with varied outcomes and takeaways is very telling. The fellows get to interact with one another as they encounter people in a “real world” situation. Traveling together can bring out the best in people. There have been so many times when I have witnessed behaviors that aligned with the leadership instruction. Traveling together also tries the mental and physical abilities of each and every individual. There have been times when I have watched issues arise while traveling, and fellows have come to the rescue. I recall such incidents in Mali, India, Tibet, Zambia, Peru, Bolivia and other places. Altitude, heat, cramped quarters in a train, prolonged travel with minimal movement, and other situations could have easily destroyed the travel experience for many. However, leadership behaviors always seemed to emerge to save the day. In most every case, the fellows engaged in deep reflection of what transpired and exchanged with each other the learning that took place. I must also acknowledge that many times the learning took place on American soil. There were many a struggle as groups traveled nationally. The only difference was that we were closer to home. Q: What do you look forward to doing in the

“WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO coming 18 months as interim co-director of education?

HAVE PEGGY AND BOB JOIN Dr. Perry: OUR TEAM IN THESE NEW ROLES First, I look forward to working with Dr. Flores. For years, by his example, he has taught DURING SUCH A CRITICAL AND me so much about being present and staying

TRANSFORMATIVE TIME.” attuned to the needs of others. Second, I look forward to working with the new leadership of - DWIGHT FERGUSON the foundation and bringing my history with the program to the transition process. Third, I am very excited about the strategic plan that has recently been approved by the board. It is ambitious and far-reaching and I feel great energy in board members and alumni who are anxious to begin carrying it out. Fourth, I look forward to working with Class 50 as they work toward the conclusion of their unusual fellowship experience. And, of course, welcoming Class 51 to the Ag Leadership family. Dr. Flores: I look forward to working as part of a team in delivering a quality program to members of Class 50 and Class 51. Abby Taylor-Silva (45), Dr. Perry and I are working directly with the rest of the Education Team from the four universities in developing seminars that inspire and educate the fellows. Working as a member of this team as a co-director of education provides me an opportunity to provide input as we address the parts of the strategic plan associated with the leadership program. I’m looking forward to the enhancements generated from those discussions and witnessing the initial impacts of the adjustments to an already outstanding leadership program.