WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
AUGUST 29, 2024
Hey! We’re so glad you are here!
We have a full, exciting day ahead and we know that you will leave here with the knowledge you need to go after and reach your goals!
Conference Timeline
8:00AM - 9:00AM
Registration and Exhibitor & Resources Expo
9:00AM - 9:05AM
Conference Welcome by
US Representative Norma Torres
9:15AM - 10:15AM
Legislative Panel
10:15AM - 11:00AM
Empowering Panel
11:00AM - 11:10AM
Spotlight Speaker - Bansree Parikh
11:10AM - 11:45AM
Lunch & Networking
11:50AM - 12:15PM
Keynote Speaker - Connie Leyva
12:15PM - 12:25PM
Panel Introduction 12:30PM - 1:15PM
Navigating Work Life Panel
1:15PM - 2:00PM
Health & Wellness Panel 2:00PM - 2:05PM
Closing Remarks
CONFERENCE Welcome
Representing California’s 35th District, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres is a dedicated advocate for women’s rights and community development. A lifelong Pomona resident, she has used her experience as a 911 dispatcher and State Senator to secure billions in federal investments and drive key legislation. Her notable achievements include advancing the Central American Women and Children Act and improving public safety and infrastructure for the Inland Empire.
NORMA TORRES
PANEL 1: Legislative Panel
Moderator: Peggi Hazlett
Retired law enforcement professional and former Chief of Police for Chino, she joined the City Council in 2020 and became Mayor Pro Tem in 2022. She represents Chino on various committees, including the Chino Valley Fire District and the League of California Cities. Active in the community, she has served on multiple boards and received several awards, including the Spirit of Achievement Award in 2018.
With a 40-year career in K-12 education, she has served as a teacher, Principal, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent. A lifelong Inland Empire resident, Kennedy holds degrees from the University of Redlands, Cal-State San Bernardino, and Claremont Graduate University, where her dissertation won multiple awards. Now retired from education, she serves as Mayor Pro Tem of Rancho Cucamonga and actively involved in community service organizations.
KRISTINE SCOTT- CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA COUNCILWOMAN SOCAL GAS REGIONAL PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER
As Regional Public Affairs Manager for SoCalGas, Kristine handles regional government relations, emergency preparedness, and community outreach. Previously, she was Vice President at TMG Communications, managing public information campaigns for various clients. Active in multiple community organizations, she also received a "Woman of Distinction" award in 2012.
LYNNE KENNEDY- RANCHO CUCAMONGA MAYOR PRO TEM
KAREN COMSTOCK- CITY OF CHINO MAYOR PRO TEM
PANEL 2: Empowering Panel
Moderator: Jennifer Hiramoto
Appointed City Manager of Chino in 2022, she has over 20 years with the City, including as Director of Community Services. Linda Reich oversees all City operations and staff, focusing on customer service, planning, and economic vitality. She is active in local organizations and holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Cal State Northridge and a Doctorate in Public Administration from the University of La Verne.
ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
As Assistant City Manager for Ontario since September 2020, she oversees the Management Services Agency, including Economic Development, Communications, and Records Management. Darlene Sanchez, with over 20 years in local government, has worked with agencies like Glendale and Monrovia. A native of the Inland Empire, she holds a Master’s in Public Administration from USC and a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from CSU Fullerton.
DARLENE SANCHEZ- CITY OF ONTARIO
LINDA REICH- CITY OF CHINO CITY MANAGER
SPOTLIGHT Speaker
As president of the Inland Empire market for Bank of America, she connects clients and communities, driving integration across eight business lines.
Bansree Parikh, also a senior vice president and market executive for Business Banking, leads a team serving local companies with $5 million to $50 million in revenue. She is involved in several organizations and mentors within the Bank, focusing on women’s connectivity and opportunities.
BANSREE PARIKH
KEYNOTE Speaker
As Executive Director at KVCR Public Radio and Television, she oversees community and student engagement, fundraising, and content. Connie Leyva, who joined KVCR in December 2022, previously served as a Senator for the 20th Senate District, where she authored over fifty bills and chaired key committees. She has also been a prominent labor leader, serving as the first woman president of UFCW Local 1428 and the California Labor Federation.
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PANEL 3: Navigating Work Life
Moderator: Janice Graham
HELEN MCALARY- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY LIFE & CULTURE CITY OF ONTARIO
As the Executive Director of Community Life & Culture for the City of Ontario, she leads departments such as Housing Services, Museum, Arts & Culture, Library, and Recreation. Helen McAlary, a mother of two young boys, is active in their soccer and school activities. She also volunteers with a local community counseling nonprofit and her Soroptimist Club.
STEPHANIE KING, MPA- DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AT ONTARIO INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
As Director of Community Engagement at Ontario International Airport (ONT). She leads outreach efforts, manages stakeholder communications, and represents the airport globally. She has a B.A. in Political Science from UC Riverside and an MPA from CSU San Bernardino. A lifelong Inland Empire resident, she lives with her husband Ryan, daughter Scarlett, and is expecting another daughter, Violet, in January.
Associate Warden at CIW since June 2022, she began with the California Department of Corrections in 2006. Delinia Lewis, previously at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Cal Poly Pomona and earned the 2021 Medal of Valor. She also teaches at Mount San Antonio College, is a Rotarian, and serves on the Chino Hills Community Foundation Board.
DELINIA LEWIS- ASSOCIATE WARDEN CIW
PANEL 4: Health & Wellness
Moderator: Heather Parsons
Co-Moderator: Renay Sehgal Mehta
DR. JO EVERETT - PSYCHIATRIST , KAISER PERMANENTE
SAN BERNARDINO
Psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente San Bernardino, she earned her doctorate from Loma Linda University and completed her residency at Kaiser Permanente Fontana. She specializes in Peripartum Psychiatry, Transplant Psychiatry, and Eating Disorders, and enjoys mentoring medical students. Outside work, she is a wife, mother, avid baker, reader, and two-time cancer survivor.
CLAUDIA SEPULVEDA, DNP, RN - CHIEF NURSE OFFICER, CANYON RIDGE HOSPITAL
Chief Nursing Officer at Canyon Ridge Hospital in Chino, CA, she champions mental health awareness and compassionate care. With a nursing career from Medical Assistant to Doctor of Nursing Practice, she is dedicated to reducing stigma and improving mental health support. A survivor of suicide loss, she aims to bridge gaps in care and empower nurses with essential skills and compassion.
DR. COLLEEN WITTENBERG- SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
PERMANENTE MEDICAL GROUP
Board certified OB/GYN with over 30 years at Southern California Permanente Medical Group. She currently leads Care Experience in Riverside and teaches at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine. Her accolades include Best Doctors of Inland Empire and the Permanente Physician Exceptional Contribution Award. She enjoys traveling in her camper van and spending time with her family.
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LEADER
GROUNDBREAKER
PIONEER
ACCESS • EDUCATION • ADVOCACY
- P r o f es s ional
- R ibbon C utting s
EE E BUSINESSES
Workplace-based learning where new employees acquire job related skills and knowledge while performing their regularon experience.
EXAMPLE
We offset the cost of training employees by reimbursing businesses 50% of wages once
The San Bernardino County Workforce Development program offsets the cost of training employees by reimbursing businesses 50% of wages once training is complete. Employees must be enrolled in date and work at least 32 hours per week.
If a Trainee is paid $25 hourly while receiving 480 hours of training , the business receives a 50% reimbursement, saving $6,000 in wages.
San Bernardino Co ty Employers
Availab o
