California Executive Leadership Program:
An Executive Leadership Program for California’s Leaders in the Field of Homelessness
CELP recognizes that leaders in the field of homelessness are being asked to do more and to lead differently than in the past. Leaders in the field are navigating an increasingly hostile, political, and polarized environment, requiring new and different skill sets.
CELP’s aim is to bring together leaders in the field to learn from one another within a community of peers, collectively engage in professional development, and create a space to exchange strategies and support in the face of the most pressing issues currently impacting the field.
Program Overview
CELP was born from the vision of Tamera Kohler at the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness (SD RTFH), recognizing the need for leaders in the field of homelessness in California to connect with one another to both learn from peers and to cultivate a community of support among leaders doing this vital work. The Impact Center was invited to design and deliver the program, which is endorsed by the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
CELP brings together a cohort of executive leaders from organizations in the field of homelessness in California, using peer learning as a method to deepen your knowledge, resources, and solidarity in your work.
We are now accepting applications for our 2026 cohort! Apply here today.
“[CELP is] a community of fellow leaders who share some of the same struggles, but also share the same passion and desire to be better and do better for ourselves and for our communities and the people we serve. I’m grateful for this opportunity to be among many great leaders throughout the state of California, and it’s reminded me that leadership isn’t about knowing all the answers—it’s a reminder that this work is bigger than who I am and bigger than myself.”
Program Curriculum
CELP focuses on executive leadership with the central theme being: What are the key components needed for successful, high performing leadership in the field of homelessness in California today?
The program curriculum will speak to three pillars:
Core competencies & leadership strategies for leading in this field;
Leadership development for the participants; and
Sustainability in leadership.
CELP is also designed to create spaces for deeper discussion on the most pressing issues currently impacting the field for participants to explore in real time, including state executive orders and new developments at the federal, regional, and local level.
“Some of the most valuable things I’ve gotten from the California Executive Leadership Program really are the opportunity to build new leadership skills and to do that in partnership with other homeless leaders around California. I think this has provided a really unique opportunity where you can try new skills in a safe place and practice them with your peers before you bring them back to your team at home.”
“What I found valuable with CELP is just to have a group of people who have the shared passion and knowledge in addressing homelessness in their areas, and a safe space to share concerns, throw ideas, learn from one another…it has given me such a great sense of confidence in my leadership and learning from [my peers’] expertise has been just remarkable.”
Program Structure & Dates
The 2026 cohort of CELP will include two in-person executive retreats taking place in the state and will be supported by online learning activities. The first retreat will take place at the outset of the program, and the second retreat will take place at the conclusion of the program.
See key dates below:
Virtual Program Launch: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 12pm PT
First Executive Retreat (in-person): Wednesday, March 25 - Friday, March 27
Second Executive Retreat (in-person): Wednesday, June 24 - Friday, June 26
Four virtual Peer Learning Sessions (dates TBA): In between retreats, we will gather for four virtual Peer Learning Sessions focused on situational topics. These 1-hour virtual sessions will create a space for peer support and knowledge sharing to empower you and your fellow leaders to tackle real-time challenges.
FAQ:
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The program is developed and delivered by The Impact Center, a national leadership development nonprofit organization with deep experience working with organizations in the field of homelessness. The Impact Center is joined by the National Alliance to End Homelessness and the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness, whose leadership guided and informed the curriculum. Additionally, this program is made possible by a grant by the State of California to the Regional Task Force on Homelessness.
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In the midst of heightened volatility and strong public opinions surrounding homelessness reduction efforts, California’s housing and homelessness leaders need to be able to drive messaging, shape media narratives, and bring in new voices amidst the political and community forums where dialogues and decisions are taking place. Furthermore, this must be a coordinated effort—each organization cannot disrupt harmful myths and tropes about homelessness alone.
In addition to these external challenges, the ongoing departure from solely charity-based approaches has led to a wider use of sophisticated, data-driven models. Leaders at the forefront face the challenge of aligning the capacity of their organizations with this approach. This challenge is compounded by increasingly complicated funding structures that require an understanding of different fields and integration of new expertise.
Leaders are experiencing increased pressure in an already high-stakes field—you need to connect with one another both to learn and to find camaraderie. The loneliness of leadership is exacerbated by the dire reality of this time, and these leaders need to lean on, learn from, and lead with one another—the only others who can truly understand what you are experiencing.
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This program is made possible through a grant by the State of California to the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness, which has contracted with The Impact Center for the design and delivery of CELP.
Participants will be responsible for covering the cost of lodging during the program retreats, as well as transportation costs to and from the retreats. Meals during the retreats will be covered.
Cohort 2 Participants
Cohort 1 Participants
Kerry Abbott, Alameda County Health, Housing and Homelessness
Mary Allen, Kern Health Systems
Lisa Bates, Sacramento Steps Forward
Stephanie Caridad, NoHo Home Alliance
Kris Freed, The Impact Group
Carter Hewgley, LA County Chief Executive Office - Homeless Initiative
Tamera Kohler, Regional Task Force on Homelessness
Lahela Mattox, Regional Task Force on Homelessness
Omar Passons, City of San Jose
Helene Schneider, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
Tanya Torno, Riverside County Housing and Workforce Solutions
Roxanne Wilson, Monterey County
Peter Bell, Sacramento Steps Forward
Andrea Curry, The Vitality Project
Marcus Dillard, County of San Bernardino - Office of Homeless Services
Anna Hurtado, Homeward Bound of Marin
Hazel Lopez, United Way of Greater Los Angeles
Katrina McKenzie, Coalition of Homeless Services Providers
Gary Naja-Riese, County of Marin
Robert Ratner, County of Santa Cruz Human Services Department
Kimberly Roberts, LA Family Housing
Jonathan Russell, Alameda County
Hanan Scrapper, San Diego Youth Services
“I’ve really enjoyed this California Executive Leadership Program for folks who are working on the issue of making sure that everyone in our community has a place to call home.”
“I have to say it has been a really rich experience. In fact, I’ve gotten more out of it than I anticipated or really could’ve imagined...and I’ve taken a lot of really useful things back to my community.”
California Executive Leadership Program Community
The Impact Center is pleased to introduce the California Executive Leadership Program Community, our community specially designed for leaders in the field of homelessness in California.
This community includes all graduates of The Impact Center’s California Executive Leadership Program. Throughout 2025, we convened for monthly virtual conversations around leading in the field today, problem-solving, and connecting with leaders across CELP cohorts. We also held our first CELP Conference in October 2025 in San Diego, CA.
“Loved it! Best leadership training I’ve participated in ever!”