San Bernardino County marks 20th anniversary of Management Leadership Academy

This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the county’s Management Leadership Academy, host Martha Guzman Hurtado says, a program the county credits with preparing employees for leadership roles across departments.

The eight-month program gives county employees at supervisory, managerial or executive levels training, a coach or mentor, and opportunities to expand management skills, organizers say. “It’s a great way to connect staff with leadership,” one program speaker said, adding that the curriculum helps participants better serve both staff and residents.

Participants and staff described MLA as a hands-on experience that emphasizes practical learning and networking. A county library branch manager who participated said the goal is to share what they learned so branch teams can be “effective leaders in the community” and “make an impact.” Other alumni said the program helped them gain confidence and clarified career goals.

County officials said the program strengthens public services by producing leaders who can improve collaboration and operational results across departments. Host Martha Guzman Hurtado congratulated this year’s graduates and directed viewers to county resources for more information.

The county did not announce new funding or structural changes to the program in this episode; the segment focused on program outcomes, participant testimonials and outreach to county employees.