Leadership Council

The Leadership Council is a diverse group of Californians who select and guide California Forward’s portfolio of projects.

Thomas V. McKernan, Co-Chair
CEO of the Automobile Club of Southern California

Robert M. Hertzberg, Co-Chair
Chair & Founder of G24 Innovations

Robert L. Balgenorth
President of the State Building & Construction Trades Council of California, AFL-CIO

Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins
CEO of Green For All

R. William "Bill" Hauck
President of the California Business Roundtable

Antonia Hernández
President & CEO of the California Community Foundation

Fred Keeley
Former Assembly Speaker pro Tempore

Stewart Kwoh
President & Executive Director of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California

Donna Lucas
Former Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Planning & Initiatives for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Sunne Wright McPeak
President & CEO of the California Emerging Technology Fund

Bruce McPherson
Former California Secretary of State

Cruz Reynoso
Former Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court & the Third District Court of Appeal

Constance L. "Connie" Rice
Former Co-Director of the Los Angeles NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund

Eugene J. "Gene" Voiland
Former President & CEO of Aera Energy LLC

Previously Served

Leon E. Panetta
Former Co-Chair; Director of the Central Intelligence Agency

Charles "Chuck" Poochigian
Former State Senator & Assemblymember