Pioneering the Future: What Being an OC Fellow Taught Me About Riverside’s Potential
In the world of engineering, being part of a "First Cohort" is like working on a prototype. You are the one testing the systems, identifying the bugs, and proving the concept. As a member of the inaugural cohort of the OC Fellows, I had the unique opportunity to help shape a program designed to bridge the gap between high-potential talent and the leaders who shape our region.
That experience changed the way I view community, and now, I’m running for City Council because I want to bring that same "Opportunity for Success" to Riverside.
What is the OC Fellows?
The OC Fellows is a prestigious leadership program that connects early-career professionals with the CEOs, innovators, and civic leaders of the region. It isn’t just a networking group; it is a human capital accelerator. Key Benefits of the Program:
High-Level Mentorship: Gaining direct access to the "decision-makers" who manage multi-million dollar budgets and city-wide infrastructure.
Systems Thinking: Learning how a city’s economy, nonprofit sector, and government intersect to create a thriving ecosystem.
Professional Polish: Developing the "soft skills" of leadership—negotiation, stakeholder alignment, and public speaking—that complement my technical engineering background.
The "Return on Investment" for the Community
A program like this doesn't just benefit the individual; it solves one of the biggest problems facing cities like Riverside: "Brain Drain."
When we don't provide a clear bridge from our universities to our local industries, our best and brightest leave for other cities. The OC Fellows model changes that by:
Retaining Local Talent: Giving students a reason to stay and build their families here.
Diverse Representation: Ensuring the next generation of leaders reflects the actual diversity of our community.
Homegrown Innovation: Encouraging young professionals to start businesses and non-profits in their own backyards.
Bringing the "Riverside Fellowship"
As an Engineer and a Community Member, I look at our city and see an incredible amount of "untapped potential" in our youth. But currently, we lack the infrastructure to connect a student in Arlanza or La Sierra with the industries thriving in Riverside County.
If elected, I will support local Talent Pipelines, modeled after my experience as an OC Fellow:
The "Riverside Fellowship": We will partner with local engineering firms, healthcare providers, and trade unions to support formal internship and mentorship tracks.
Bridging Education and Industry: We will work with AUSD, RUSD and our local colleges to ensure students are being trained for the high-wage jobs that actually exist in our region.
Succession Planning: I want to ensure that when I look at the future leaders of Riverside, I see faces from our own neighborhoods—leaders who were groomed and mentored right here at home.
