2026 Delta Leadership Program Recognized by DPC

STOCKTON, Calif. (May 11, 2026) – The Delta Protection Commission honored the 2026 cohort of the Delta Leadership Program on Monday – the culmination of four months of seminars, leadership skills-building and teamwork for this group of emerging Delta leaders.

An initiative of the Delta Protection Commission and the Delta Leadership Foundation, the program aims to support sustained leadership development in the region. Its alumni include the current mayor of Stockton, a former San Joaquin County Supervisor, the vice chair of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, the director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the director of public affairs for the Port of Stockton, and numerous members of the DPC’s Delta Protection Advisory Committee and Delta National Heritage Area Advisory Committee.

Participants worked on team projects to benefit the Delta, which they presented to the Commission on Monday:

• Youth Explorers Program highlighting Delta outdoor experiences for youth.
• National Heritage Area Road Trip Itinerary highlighting suggested stops for Delta region driving tours through a created brochure.
• M-5: Multi-Benefit Habitat Restoration in the Delta proposing a locally-informed design process to habitat restoration in the North Delta that benefits agriculture and recreation as well as flood protection.

When possible, the Commission incorporates Delta Leadership Program team project proposals into its work. Staff will be developing several National Heritage Area initiatives, including a Junior Ranger program, visitor itineraries, and merchandise, that take inspiration from 2025 and 2026 group projects.

This was the program’s 10th cohort. It included:

• Bret Bartholomew, Owner, Bartholomew Solutions, Elk Grove
• Ashley Castaneda, Restore the Delta, Stockton
• Gustavo Cruz, Assoc. Water Resources Engineer, Solano County Water Agency, West Sacramento
• Nicole Cuellar-Nelson, District Representative, State Senator Christopher Cabaldon, Sacramento
• Jason Culberston, Farmer/Rancher and Trustee, Reclamation District No. 3, Walnut Grove
• Emily Groth, Planner, Contra Costa County Dept. of Conservation and Development, Martinez
• Alli Hauger, Delta Levee Engineer, MBK Engineers, Sacramento
• Jack Johnson, Assistant Deputy, Yolo County Supervisor Oscar Villegas, West Sacramento
• Bhajleen Khalsa, Executive Assistant, State Senator Jerry McNerney, Lathrop
• Lisa Kirchhoff, Co-Owner, Kirchhoff Family Wines, Courtland
• Erin Mullen Brosnan, Board Member and Volunteer, Crockett Historical Society & Museum, Crockett
• Minh Nguyen, Residential Mortgage Lender, F&M Bank, Oakley
• Jenni Shaw, Curator of Education and Visitor Engagement, Lindsay Wildlife Experience. Walnut Creek
• Sabrina Snyder, Senior Management Analyst, Yolo County Administrator’s Office, Woodland
• Rachel Vanderwerff, Senior Environmental Planner, Delta Protection Commission, West Sacramento