San Bernardino County is marking the twentieth anniversary of its Management Leadership Academy, a roughly eight-month professional development program the county says prepares supervisors, managers and executives to lead across departments.

"This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the county's professional leadership development program, the Management Leadership Academy," host Martha Guzman Hurtado said as the county framed the program as an investment in future managers and visionaries. County presenters described the program as an opportunity for participants to expand skills and learn how to manage and lead in their departments.

Speakers said MLA pairs participants with a coach or mentor and offers hands-on experiences and networking with county subject-matter experts. An unnamed program presenter described the academy as providing a "comprehensive understanding of the county and its mission" and said the program aims to help employees become better leaders who then "pour that out into the community."

Participants and alumni praised the academy's practical focus. One participant who said they were in the initial EDP program in 2005 said the training helped increase confidence in both their current job and future career plans. Another participant said the program's ride-alongs, workshops and competitions had been valuable learning experiences.

County presenters connected MLA training to service outcomes, saying stronger leadership can produce better efficiency, collaboration across departments and improved services for residents. The county congratulated this year's MLA graduates and pointed listeners to county resources for more information.

Next steps: the county did not specify new funding, curriculum changes or follow-up reporting in the episode.