20 Association and Membership CEOs to Know in California

California’s membership organisations help professions and industries share standards, advocate for members and build community. This August 2026 update checks each BLOG role against a current official association or organisation source.

These leaders work across banking, health, life sciences, construction, legal services, education, housing, food and more. Together, they show the range of practical work that sits inside California’s association world.

Geoff Green.

Chief Executive Officer, California Association of Nonprofits.

Geoff Green is the Chief Executive Officer of CalNonprofits, the statewide alliance for California’s nonprofit community. Before CalNonprofits, he led the Santa Barbara City College Foundation and helped secure a record gift to two dozen community colleges. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

Myrna Castrejón.

President and Chief Executive Officer, California Charter Schools Association.

Myrna Castrejón is President and Chief Executive Officer of the California Charter Schools Association. Before becoming President and CEO, she was the founding executive director of Great Public Schools Now and held several leadership roles at CCSA. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

Denise LeDuc Froemming.

President and CEO, California Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Denise LeDuc Froemming is President and CEO of CalCPA. She previously served as CEO of the Institute of Real Estate Management and as a senior operating executive at the American Health Information Management Association. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

Kevin Gould.

President and Chief Executive Officer, California Bankers Association.

Kevin Gould is President and Chief Executive Officer of the California Bankers Association. He joined the association in 2004 and previously led its state and federal government relations work. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

Dan Dunmoyer.

President and CEO, California Building Industry Association.

Dan Dunmoyer is President and CEO of the California Building Industry Association. He is the son of a small home builder from Southern California and has deep experience in California public policy. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

Kim Gusman.

President and CEO, California Employers Association.

Kim Gusman is President and CEO of the California Employers Association. She has led the association since 2002 and brings more than 25 years of human resources and operations experience. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

Chris Nguyen.

Chief Executive Officer, California Lawyers Association.

Chris Nguyen is Chief Executive Officer of the California Lawyers Association. The association’s organisation chart dated 10 June 2026 places member experience, sections and education services within the operating structure below the CEO role. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

Rock Zierman.

Chief Executive Officer, California Independent Petroleum Association.

Rock Zierman is Chief Executive Officer of the California Independent Petroleum Association. He has worked with CIPA since 2002, after serving in public affairs and as executive director of the California Natural Gas Producers Association. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

Jim Anderson.

President and CEO, Associations West.

Jim Anderson is President and CEO of Associations West. His role spans board and committee support, strategy, daily operations, financial reporting and staff supervision. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

Peter Tateishi.

Chief Executive Officer, Associated General Contractors of California.

Peter Tateishi is Chief Executive Officer of the Associated General Contractors of California. AGC of California’s current executive leadership page identifies him as Chief Executive Officer. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

Ruthann Anderson.

Chief Executive Officer, California Association of Pest Control Advisers.

Ruthann Anderson is Chief Executive Officer of the California Association of Pest Control Advisers. Her 2026 CEO editorial describes the association’s work across standards, regulation, continuing education and member information. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

Phil Hawkins.

Chief Executive Officer, California Association of REALTORS.

Phil Hawkins is Chief Executive Officer of the California Association of REALTORS. He signed C.A.R.’s 2025 impact report, which describes the association’s CARES initiative and member resources for a changing housing market. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

Jeremy Empol.

President and Chief Executive Officer, California’s Credit Unions and Nevada’s Credit Unions.

Jeremy Empol is President and Chief Executive Officer of California’s Credit Unions and Nevada’s Credit Unions. He moved into the role in March 2026 after leading public affairs and industry outreach at the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

Carmela Coyle.

President and CEO, California Hospital Association.

Carmela Coyle is President and CEO of the California Hospital Association. She joined CHA in 2017 after nine years as President and CEO of the Maryland Hospital Association and earlier national hospital policy work. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

Mike Guerra.

President and Chief Executive Officer, California Life Sciences.

Mike Guerra is President and Chief Executive Officer of California Life Sciences. He chairs the Council of State Bioscience Associations while leading California Life Sciences and its member-company network. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

Tim Scott.

President and CEO, Biocom California.

Tim Scott is President and CEO of Biocom California. He combines association leadership with more than 20 years of entrepreneurial experience in biotech and pharmaceutical development. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

Walid Sabbagh Jr..

President and CEO, Southern California Biomedical Council.

Walid Sabbagh Jr. is President and CEO of the Southern California Biomedical Council. He leads a member-supported trade association serving biotech, medtech, IVD and digital health communities across Southern California. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

Ronald Fong.

President and Chief Executive Officer, California Grocers Association.

Ronald Fong is President and Chief Executive Officer of the California Grocers Association. He grew up in his family’s grocery business and has helped shape the association’s advocacy, member services, conferences and communications. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

Dustin Corcoran.

Chief Executive Officer, California Medical Association.

Dustin Corcoran is Chief Executive Officer of the California Medical Association. He began at CMA in membership work, moved through government relations and operations, and became CEO in 2010. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

Jennifer Barrera.

President and Chief Executive Officer, California Chamber of Commerce.

Jennifer Barrera is President and Chief Executive Officer of the California Chamber of Commerce. She stepped into the role after leading CalChamber policy and strategy as executive vice president and working in labour and employment law. Read the organisation’s leadership page.

That path shows how association leadership can connect member service, public policy and practical work.

What these leaders have in common.

Association leadership is practical work. It asks people to serve members, work with boards, make a clear public case and keep everyday services useful.

The strongest member organisations connect advocacy with real help. That might mean education, policy work, professional standards, events, resources or a stronger sense of belonging.

For a related California association audience, see association conference speakers in California.