Local government go-getters and champions featured at Cal Cities’ 2025 annual conference

By Brian Hendershot, Cal Cities Advocate managing editor

Close to 2,3000 city officials joined Cal Cities and subject matter experts in Long Beach for the 2025 Annual Conference and Expo. The three-day event was a chance for local officials to come together, discover solutions to city-specific issues, and celebrate major accomplishments.

Lawmakers, cities, and advocates recognized as local government champions

Along with in-depth educational sessions and inspiring keynote speakers, the annual conference is a chance to recognize the hard work of cities and local government advocates.

Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry received the Past Presidents' Lifetime Achievement Award for her ongoing service and dedication to California cities. Aguiar-Curry's decades of service started in Winters, where she was a planning commissioner, council member, and the town's first woman mayor.

"This award is not just for one person," Aguiar-Curry said, reflecting on how her time in local government has shaped her values. "It shows what happens when we can work together."

Cal Cities also honored Sen. Ben Allen, Asm. Laurie Davies, and Asm. Diane Papan with the Distinguished Legislative Leadership Award. Collectively, the three legislators have helped advance Cal Cities' environmental, recovery housing, and housing goals.

"These three lawmakers recognize the value of local government and introduced legislation to ensure cities have the resources and tools they need to meet the needs of California residents," said Cal Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman. "Cal Cities deeply appreciates their steadfast leadership, collaborative relationships, and voice for cities."

Eleven cities received the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence: Baldwin Park, Burbank, Downey, Hayward, Lake Elsinore, Moreno Valley, Needles, Norwalk, Pacifica, Santa Paula, and Watsonville. A member-driven awards committee chose each city for its outstanding efforts and innovative programs to improve the quality of life and services in their communities.

Cal Cities also recognized its own Sara Sanders with the National League of Cities John G. Stutz Award. The award is given to state league employees who have served 25 years or more. Sanders is currently the regional public affairs manager for the Redwood Empire Division.

Powerhouse speakers and keynotes share empowering messages

Attendees heard from several inspiring speakers throughout the conference. Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson opened the events by reflecting on both his city's successes and the shared successes of cities.

"It's cities who are leading. It's cities who are building. It's cities who are restoring public trust," he said. "None of this happens without partnerships."

During the opening keynote, Futurist Crystal Washington shared insights about potential technological shifts and ways to respond. In addition to providing sound technical advice, she also implored city leaders to be good ancestors, be curious, and choose joy.

"Most of the technology we enjoy today was not created in a private startup but in the minds of artists decades ago," she said, before noting you don't have to be a technologist to know if something is good or bad.

Famed environmental activist and consumer advocate Erin Brockovich's stories of stick-to-it-iveness also left attendees inspired and empowered.

"I'm here to share stories with you about how all of this happened and how things really do begin with one individual," Brockovich said, before joking that her middle name is "stubborn."

Entrepreneur Nir Bashan also showed city leaders how to tap into their creativity to solve problems, generate fresh ideas, and innovate.

New leadership and board members for Cal Cities

The Cal Cities Board of Directors swore in new board officers and members. El Cerrito Mayor Pro Tem Gabe Quinto became president. Carlsbad Council Member Teresa Acosta will serve as first vice president, and San José Council Member David Cohen is the second vice president. Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Pro Tem Lynne B. Kennedy is now the immediate past president.

"No drumline is powered by one drummer," Kennedy said, as she closed out her term to the sounds of the Los Osos High School drumline. "It takes all of us, working in sync, to create the sound that moves people. ... When cities work together, we are like a drumline - loud, powerful, and impossible to ignore."

Quinto, Cal Cities' new president, was elected to the El Cerrito City Council in 2014. He became the city's first Filipino American and first LGBTQ+ council member. Quinto has prioritized equity and diversity in El Cerrito and on all the boards he's served - including at Cal Cities.

"Each of our cities is unique," he said. "We take pride in the diversity of our cities, the very special identity of our communities that live inside our cities. But under the umbrella of Cal Cities, we focus on what we have in common: We want our cities to be strong and to thrive."

The board also elected six at-large directors to serve a two-year term: Covina Council Member Walter Allen, Grass Valley Council Member Jan Arbuckle, Tracy Mayor Dan Arriola, Sacramento Council Member Lisa Kaplan, Atascadero City Manager Jim Lewis, and Walnut Creek Council Member Cindy Silva.

The next annual conference is in Anaheim, Sept. 23-25, at the Anaheim Convention Center. For more information about Cal Cities' upcoming events - including open calls for proposals and conferences for fire chiefs, city clerks, and finance professionals - visit calcities.org/education-and-events.