About VCCF > Community Leadership Awards

Ventura County Community Foundation President and CEO Hugh Ralston and VCCF Board of Directors Chair Pierre Tada, second row left, honor the 2012 VCCF Community Leadership Award winners after the ceremony at the Museum of Ventura County. Shown from left, Philanthropist Award Winner Dorothy Loebl of Ojai, Next Generation Award Winner Jessie Petersen of Oxnard, Verizon Director of Government and External Affairs Michael Murray who accepted the Organization Award for the company, Michelle Honles who accepted the Kesa Ryono Award on behalf of Michele Foster of Ventura, United Way of Ventura County Board of Directors Chair Adam Thunell who accepted the Chairman's Award for the nonprofit, and Founders Award Winner former VCCF Board Chair Bill Bang of Thousand Oaks.

The Ventura County Community Foundation recognizes organizations and individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty to better the quality of life in Ventura County with our signature Community Leadership Awards.

“In times good and bad, community leadership is critical,” said Hugh Ralston, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “VCCF started these awards to salute the efforts of community leaders in Ventura County and to highlight the importance of leadership in our nonprofit sector.”

The annual awards debuted in 2010 and are handed out at a luncheon in the spring.

“I am incredibly honored to be the recipient of the first ever VCCF Next Generation Leadership Award and the Vivian Klemz Memorial Award. I am so grateful and determined to ‘pay forward’ the kindness and support they have given me by supporting the next generation of young writers and artists!”

- Dallas Woodburn, 2011 Community Leadership honoree

THE AWARD CATEGORIES

The Philanthropist Award ~ honors outstanding efforts on the part of an individual and/or family toward supporting the community.

The Organization Award ~ recognizes outstanding efforts beyond financial contributions by a local business and/or company demonstrating community leadership.

The Kesa Ryono Award ~ given to unsung heroes who dedicate countless hours to serving the community at the grass roots level by providing ways for neighbors to connect to solve local issues. Kesa Ryono was a Port Hueneme community activist who died in March 2010 at age 47. At the time of her death Ryono was employed at VCCF as an associate for the Ventura County Civic Alliance, an organization she championed. Ryono served on the Port Hueneme Parks and Recreation Commission and the Ventura County Fish and Game Commission. In 2002, she was named Activist of the Year by the Sierra Club’s Los Padres Chapter for her efforts to shut down the toxic Halaco smelting plant in her neighborhood. She ran for a seat on the Port Hueneme City Council in 2008.

The Chairman’s Award ~ a special award to honor a person or organization with a longstanding community leadership, extending to the important work of collaboration and partnership with others and setting an example that serves our region well.

The Next Generation ~ honors a young person whose volunteer efforts serves as an example to their peers and demonstrates that philanthropy can start at any age.

The Founders Award ~ honors a leader within the VCCF family who has demonstrated a commitment to leadership that expands beyond VCCF to the wider community.

READ ABOUT PREVIOUS WINNERS

2012 Honorees
2011 Honorees
2010 Honorees

VIEW PHOTOS FROM PAST CEREMONIES

2012 Photos
2011 Photos
2010 Photos

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