25 Association and Membership Leaders in California

Last updated: August 2026

California’s associations, chambers and professional bodies help members work together, build stronger sectors and speak with a clearer voice. Their leaders balance mission, member needs, advocacy, services and the daily work of running an organisation.

This directory brings together 25 current association and membership leaders in California. They work across education, health care, housing, hospitality, retail, manufacturing and community advocacy.

What association leaders do

Association leaders sit between the mission of an organisation and the needs of its members. Their work can include advocacy, member services, conferences, professional development, public communication and the daily running of the organisation.

The exact job title varies. Some leaders are called chief executive officer, some president, and some executive director. The consistent thread is current responsibility for a California membership or sector organisation.

25 leaders to know

1. Edgar Zazueta

Executive Director, Association of California School Administrators

Edgar Zazueta is the Executive Director of Association of California School Administrators, a statewide professional association for California school administrators. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

The association supports the professional growth of educational administrators statewide, with leadership across strategy, public policy and operations. Explore ACSA.

2. Vernon Billy

CEO and Executive Director, California School Boards Association

Vernon M. Billy is the CEO and Executive Director of California School Boards Association, the statewide association serving elected and appointed school board members. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

The association represents governing boards across California school districts and county offices of education. Explore CSBA.

3. Tatia Davenport

Chief Executive Officer, California Association of School Business Officials

Tatia Davenport is the Chief Executive Officer of California Association of School Business Officials, a professional association serving school business officials. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

The association supports the people responsible for school business and operations across California. Explore CASBO.

4. Larry Galizio

President and CEO, Community College League of California

Larry Galizio is the President and CEO of Community College League of California, the statewide membership and advocacy body for California community colleges. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

The League is a statewide membership and advocacy body for California community colleges. Explore the Community College League.

5. Keetha Mills

President and Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for California Community Colleges

Keetha Mills is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Foundation for California Community Colleges, the nonprofit auxiliary serving California community colleges. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

The foundation provides large-scale resources to students, colleges and communities across California. Explore FoundationCCC.

6. Kristen Soares

President, Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities

Kristen Soares is the President of Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, the statewide association representing California independent colleges and universities. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

AICCU represents California independent colleges and universities and works with leaders on higher education policy. Explore AICCU.

7. Phil Gutierrez

Executive Director, California Association of Independent Schools

Phil Gutierrez is the Executive Director of California Association of Independent Schools, a statewide association for independent schools. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

CAIS is a statewide association for independent schools, with leadership shaped by experience in schools and on its board. Explore CAIS.

8. Myrna Castrejon

President and Chief Executive Officer, California Charter Schools Association

Myrna Castrejón is the President and Chief Executive Officer of California Charter Schools Association, the membership association for California public charter schools. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

CCSA is the membership association for California public charter schools. Explore CCSA.

9. Josiah Kitonga

Executive Director, California State PTA

Josiah Kitonga is the Executive Director of California State PTA, the statewide parent and family advocacy organisation. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

California State PTA is a statewide parent and family advocacy organisation. Explore California State PTA.

10. Paul Cauchi

Executive Director, California Association of School Psychologists

Paul Cauchi is the Executive Director of California Association of School Psychologists, the professional association for school psychologists and educational psychologists. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

CASP supports school psychologists and educational psychologists through association services, communications and professional development. Explore CASP.

11. Tara Rolle

Executive Director, California Association of Private School Organizations

Tara Rolle is the Executive Director of California Association of Private School Organizations, a statewide voice for private K-12 education. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

CAPSO is a statewide voice for private K-12 education and its member organisations. Explore CAPSO.

12. Marshall Tuck

Chief Executive Officer, EdVoice

Marshall Tuck is the Chief Executive Officer of EdVoice, a California education advocacy organisation. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

EdVoice is a California education advocacy organisation focused on public education. Explore EdVoice.

13. Cynthia Vasquez Petitt

Interim Chief Executive Officer, California Association for Bilingual Education

Cynthia Vásquez Petitt is the Interim Chief Executive Officer of California Association for Bilingual Education, a statewide organisation promoting bilingual education and biliteracy. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

CABE promotes bilingual education and biliteracy across California. Explore CABE.

14. Scott Borba

Executive Director, Small School Districts' Association

Scott Borba is the Executive Director of Small School Districts' Association, an association supporting California’s small school districts. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

SSDA supports California’s small school districts and the leaders who serve them. Explore SSDA.

15. Jennifer Barrera

President and Chief Executive Officer, California Chamber of Commerce

Jennifer Barrera is the President and Chief Executive Officer of California Chamber of Commerce, California’s broad-based business advocacy chamber. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

CalChamber is California’s broad-based business advocacy chamber, with policy direction set by its board. Explore CalChamber.

16. Jessica Ochoa

Chief Executive Officer, California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators

Jessica Ochoa is the Chief Executive Officer of California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators, a statewide association for Latino superintendents and administrators. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

CALSA supports Latino superintendents and administrators across California. Explore CALSA.

17. Tom Bannon

Chief Executive Officer, California Apartment Association

Thomas K. Bannon is the Chief Executive Officer of California Apartment Association, the statewide apartment industry association. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

The California Apartment Association is a statewide apartment industry association. Explore CAA.

18. Jot Condie

President and Chief Executive Officer, California Restaurant Association

Jot Condie is the President and Chief Executive Officer of California Restaurant Association, the statewide association representing California’s restaurant industry. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

The California Restaurant Association represents California’s restaurant industry. Explore the California Restaurant Association.

19. Brian Rutledge

Executive Director, California Association for Adult Day Services

Brian Rutledge is the Executive Director of California Association for Adult Day Services, a membership association supporting adult day services. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

CAADS supports adult day services through member information, advocacy and professional connection. Explore CAADS.

20. Tyler Munzing

Executive Director, ACEC California

Tyler Munzing is the Executive Director of ACEC California, the state association for consulting engineering companies. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

ACEC California is the state association for consulting engineering companies. Explore ACEC California.

21. Carmela Coyle

President and Chief Executive Officer, California Hospital Association

Carmela Coyle is the President and Chief Executive Officer of California Hospital Association, the statewide hospital association. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

The California Hospital Association represents hospitals and health care organisations across the state. Explore CHA.

22. Rachel Michelin

President and Chief Executive Officer, California Retailers Association

Rachel Michelin is the President and Chief Executive Officer of California Retailers Association, the statewide association for California retailers. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

The California Retailers Association represents California retailers and the wider retail sector. Explore California Retailers.

23. Lynn Mohrfeld

President and Chief Executive Officer, California Hotel & Lodging Association

Lynn Mohrfeld is the President and Chief Executive Officer of California Hotel & Lodging Association, the statewide hotel and lodging association. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

The California Hotel & Lodging Association represents the state’s hotel and lodging sector. Explore CHLA.

24. Lance Hastings

President and Chief Executive Officer, California Manufacturers & Technology Association

Lance Hastings is the President and Chief Executive Officer of California Manufacturers & Technology Association, a statewide manufacturing and technology association. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

CMTA represents manufacturing, processing and technology companies in California. Explore CMTA.

25. Ronald Fong

President and Chief Executive Officer, California Grocers Association

Ronald Fong is the President and Chief Executive Officer of California Grocers Association, the statewide trade association for California grocers. The role connects day-to-day organisational leadership with the practical needs of members and the wider sector.

The California Grocers Association represents grocers across the state. Explore the California Grocers Association.

Conclusion

Across this group, association leadership is practical work. It means turning member needs into services, advocacy, professional learning and a stronger voice in public conversations.

The settings vary, but the leadership challenge is familiar: keep the mission clear while helping people with different priorities move in the same direction. That is what makes strong associations useful to their members and valuable to the sectors they serve.

For leaders working through growth, alignment or culture, practical leadership habits can make that work easier to carry.

About the Author

Jonno White is the author of Step Up or Step Out and a Certified Working Genius Facilitator. He is Brisbane-based and works with schools, organisations and leadership teams around the world.

Jonno helps leaders build organisations people would move cities to work at, with practical ideas they can use on Monday morning.

Next Read or Related Reading

If you are thinking about the leadership habits that help a member organisation stay aligned, you may also find this guide for a leadership consultant useful. For teams that want to build stronger working relationships away from the day-to-day, the team offsite enquiry page explains how Jonno approaches that work.

Final CTA

I work with association, chamber and membership leaders who want to turn good intentions into practical leadership habits. The best next step is usually a clear written brief about the organisation, the people involved and the change you want to make.

If that sounds useful, email jonno@consultclarity.org.