A Night of Leadership, Connection and Action
Highlights from the 2026 Installation Awards celebrating EBLC’s legacy of leadership
Laughter and excited chatter filled the halls of the Pleasant Hill Community Center as nearly 200 leaders gathered for EBLC’s 2026 Installation Awards, a celebration of leadership and connection. Guests from business, civic, and nonprofit sectors traded warm hugs and posed for photos, displaying the kind of easy camaraderie that defined the evening.
The program began with opening remarks from EBLC President & CEO, Mark Orcutt, highlighting the organization's successes in the last year, including the conclusion of a record-breaking Leadership Series featuring exceptional speakers like Stacey Abrams, Secretary Leon Panetta, and Camille Crittenden. He also highlighted the launch of a new Engage East Bay Board Matching tool and the critical policy advocacy EBLC has led to strengthen the East Bay. The organization also marked the launch of its new East Bay Policy Leadership Program, expanding opportunities for participants to gain firsthand exposure to the policy issues shaping the region, with the inaugural cohort now accepting applications.
Incoming EBLC Board Chair Deneen Wohlford (left) & Outgoing Chair Chadi Chazbek (right) pose for photo after gavel passing.
That theme of leadership echoed through the remarks of incoming EBLC Board Chair Deneen Wohlford of Kaiser Permanente. Sharing her vision for EBLC in the year ahead, she offered a simple charge: "Leadership rooted in service. Leadership grounded in humility. Leadership that helps others succeed."
Her vision focused on where EBLC’s work can have the greatest impact, cultivating a more engaged Board of Directors and creating meaningful opportunities for members to contribute their experience, ideas, and relationships.
The evening's award presentations recognized individuals and organizations already putting this leadership ethos into practice. Advocate of the Year went to Heather Schiffman of Contra Costa Association of REALTORS for leadership on housing and infrastructure policy. Hanson Bridgett received the East Bay Leadership Medal for the firm's commitment to community service and sustained investment in the region’s future.
Kristin Connelly, former EBLC President & CEO and Contra Costa County Clerk Recorder-Registrar shares remarks after accepting the Ellen O. Tauscher Distinguished Service Award.
The room rose to its feet in a standing ovation as the final award of the night, the Ellen O. Tauscher Distinguished Service Award, was presented to Kristin Connelly, EBLC Past President & CEO and the Clerk Recorder Registrar for Contra Costa County.
Introducing Connelly, Orcutt reflected on the lasting influence she has had on EBLC, the region and generations of civic leaders.
“Kristin invests in people. She strengthens institutions. And she leaves both better than she found them,” Orcutt said. “Look around this room, and you will find people she has mentored, connected, challenged, or simply made time for. People who became better leaders because she believed they could be.”
Outgoing EBLC Board Chair Chadi Chazbek of Kimley-Horn was also recognized for his leadership, which helped advance EBLC’s strategic impact while strengthening its culture of collaboration and diversity. Reflecting on the value of bringing different perspectives to the table, Chazbek said, “Our differences do not divide us—they enrich us. They unlock greater opportunities for innovation, drive economic growth, and unleash the extraordinary potential of our region.”
That spirit of collaboration will carry into Wohlford’s term as EBLC works to turn ideas into action, partnerships into measurable progress and regional relationships into meaningful solutions. Wohlford closed with a clear call to action: “Let’s get to work!”
We’re grateful to our Presenting Sponsor, Kaiser Permanente, and all our sponsors, for their continued commitment to bringing East Bay leaders together for connection, inspiration, and learning.
