2026 Delta Leadership Program Kicks Off

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Jan. 9, 2026) –Fifteen Delta leaders arrived at Sacramento’s Nature Conservancy on Friday to kickstart their entry into the Delta Leadership Program.

    Group photo of adults posing in front of a mural of plant life

    The 2026 Delta Leadership class. Back row L-R: Erin Mullen Brosnan, Rachel Vanderwerff, Jason Culberston, Jack Johnson, Alli Hauger, Nicole Cuellar-Nelson, Bret Bartholomew. Front row L-R: Bhajleen Khalsa, Lisa Kirchhoff, Sabrina Snyder, Gustavo Cruz, Jenni Shaw, Emily Groth, Ashley Castaneda, Minh Nguyen (Photo by Delta Protection Commission/Jada Portillo)

    Managed by the Delta Protection Commission and the Delta Leadership Foundation, the program aims to identify potential and emerging leaders in the Delta from an assortment of backgrounds. Over the span of five seminars, participants learn leadership skills and tools to improve and foster community within the Delta.

    The first seminar covered an introduction to the Delta, Delta legislation, experiences from alumni of the program, and a panel featuring the three Delta agencies.

    This year’s participants are:

    • 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