Leadership Oakland Alumni Association is bringing together City leaders for a candid discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing Oakland and the future of our city.
We're honored to welcome our Leadership Oakland alumni guest speakers:
Christy Johnston Limón - Deputy Director, Department of Economic and Workforce Development
Sofia Navarro - Executive Director, Oakland Workforce Development Board
Fred Kelley - Director of Parks, Recreation and Youth Development
Jeremiah Jackson, CEO and Founder, Starting with US, LLC, will moderate this important discussion.
This event is free for all alumni of Leadership Oakland. Guest registration is $10.
About our panelists:
Cristy Johnston-Limón currently leads the City of Oakland’s business development activities as the Deputy Director of the Economic and Workforce Development Department. Prior to supporting Oakland’s business community, Cristy was Executive Director of the Center for Social Sector Leadership at the Haas School of Business, and Executive Director of Youth Speaks and Destiny Arts Center, where Cristy led the fundraising, acquisition, and development of Destiny Arts Center and Youth Speaks cultural facilities, stabilizing and strengthening each to sustain and grow their impact while creating new and robust cultural spaces.
Cristy earned her MBA from the Berkeley Haas School of Business and a BA in Political Science also from U.C. Berkeley. She serves on the Board of Directors for organizations that focus on education, theater arts, economic development. and climate justice including American Conservatory Theater, Bandaloop, and Frontline Catalysts.
Sofia Navarro has over ten years of executive non-profit and public sector experience. She has served the City of Oakland as the Interim Director of Economic and Workforce Development and currently serving as the Executive Director of the Oakland Workforce Development Board. In her current capacity she provides leadership and oversight of workforce investments in the City, staffing the Workforce Development Board, managing workforce development systems, planning, and policy and sector-based workforce initiatives. She also oversees the division’s effort to increase job creation, job training and creating a workforce that is responsive to the needs of Oakland businesses.
Ms. Navarro is also on the Oakland Thrives Leadership Council and the Career Technical Education Advisory Council for Oakland Unified School District. She has a Master’s degree in Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Saint Mary’s College of California.
Fred Kelley was named Director of the Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT) in July 2022, where he led Oakland's work to envision, plan, build, operate, and maintain an equitable transportation system. Prior to his current role, Director Kelley served as OakDOT's Assistant Director. In March of 2024, Fred assumed the role as Director of Oakland's, Park, Recreation and Youth Development Department, at the request of the City Administrator.
Fred's career has been focused on the planning, design, and implementation of complex, multi-modal infrastructure plans and projects. These projects have centered on accessibility, safety, and equity. Prior to the City of Oakland, he served as Deputy Director of Public Works for the City of Hayward. In addition, Fred had 20 years experience leading Transportation Planning and Engineering practices for global engineering firms.
Mr. Kelley’s undergraduate and graduate background encompasses political science, public policy, and engineering. He recently became a cohort of the Bloomberg/Harvard City Leadership Initiative Program.
