California Leaders Editor’s Message

"The people in flight from the terror behind—refugees from dust and shrinking land, from the thunder of tractors and shrinking ownership, from the desert's slow unmoving hand; they all come to California. And they are one great snake moving along the road." —John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath

Like the “Dust Bowlers” before them, the post-World War II wave of migrants from Oklahoma were attracted to California by a general sense that a better life was possible there. Burdened by several factors that made life hard in Oklahoma, they were heartened by letters from those who settled in the Golden State a generation before. Of course, anything sounded better than the conditions they were living in; so they dared to believe that they might find a better way of life. Indeed, many found elements of that imagined life in their new home; but the California promises they imagined were still beyond the horizon. 

I am a grandchild from that second migration. Growing up in Bakersfield, California, I knew I came from Okies before I knew it was a derogatory term. My grandmother was poor when she left Oklahoma and she remained poor the rest of her life in California. The promise for her was just over the horizon. She never saw it; but my father did. Today, I see far beyond the horizon of my immediate ancestors; but I notice that a new horizon has  appeared, and it, too, feels just out of reach. When I hear my adult daughters describe it, they see something else entirely. 

The California promise is elusive because we keep moving the finish line. California is such a big idea that it is hard for one generation to fully understand what it can become. California Leaders Magazine tells the story of people who believe in that promise and are addressing some of the most pressing issues facing our state.

This inaugural issue of California Leaders Magazine spotlights leaders whose personal stories are driven by resilience, adaptability, strategy, and a strong commitment to community. You will be introduced to people who have confronted seemingly insurmountable challenges with imagination, ingenuity, and what researcher Angela Duckworth terms "Grit." Their stories offer a glimpse into the capable and good people working to advance their careers, care for their families, and to support their neighbors, defying the many cynical portrayals of the Golden State offered by others around the country.

California, at its core, is a grand experiment to determine if diverse human communities with a range of competing priorities can live, work, worship the way they choose, and play together on a grand scale. While the state has significant hurdles to overcome in realizing this dream—the future seems to be promising if the many counties and regions can commit to a higher level of cooperation. 

The leaders featured in this issue are under no illusion that California is currently whole; quite the opposite. Many of them immigrated to California. They are keenly aware of those who are left out of the promise and are dedicated to taking action. Many have personally endured tragedy and loss; yet have forged a path forward. Others have committed their careers to serving marginalized and easily overlooked communities, including neighbors who are experiencing homelessness.

The California Leaders platform has been created to give a voice to established leaders whose stories are shared to inform and inspire the business community and its emerging leaders. You will also find stories that offer useful strategies for leaders of teams as well as regional economic trends and recovery efforts following the Palisades and Eaton fires. In my role as editor, I have the opportunity to meet most of these people. My sincere hope is that by introducing them to you, you will be inspired to confidently take action to further your own career while doing your part to make your community better for all who call California home.

Rick Gibson

Editor-in-Chief Order Your Issue Here: https://marketing.californialeaders.com/subscriptions