Participate in our
Lunch and Learn
UPCOMING LUNCH AND LEARN – March 20, 2026
Leading on our own terms
This year’s spring ACE Women’s Network of SoCal Lunch and Learn will celebrate women who are reshaping the meaning of leadership and crafting pathways that reflect their values, voices, and visions. Our panel brings together leaders from the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges – each offering insight into what it means to lead authentically and on one’s own terms.
Registration for this event is $85 and will include lunch, networking, and a powerful panel of women leaders.
Location: CSU San Bernardino – Santos Manuel Student Union North
Invite your friends and family and make a weekend out of this event! San Bernardino is on the way to Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, and the outlet malls. While you attend the event, we will have free bowling available for guests you bring along (shoes included!).
Lunch and Learn Panelists
Women Reshaping the Meaning of Leadership
Wenda Fong
Wenda Fong is a producer, director, creative executive, and community leader whose 50-plus-year career has helped shape American television. She began as the producer and host of her own live talk show in Los Angeles and went on to produce and direct music and variety specials, awards shows, reality series, sitcoms, documentaries, PSAs, and major live events. She holds the dual distinction of being the first woman and first person of color to produce The Emmy Awards, and has launched productions across the United States and internationally, including in China, Canada, Europe, and Africa.
In 2001, Wenda joined the Fox Broadcasting Company as its first Executive Director and Vice President of Creative Diversity Development, where she launched initiatives to expand opportunities for diverse writers, directors, and actors. In 2002, she was appointed to oversee American Idol, helping guide it to become a historic, culture-shaping ratings phenomenon. Promoted in 2003 to Vice President of Alternative Entertainment, she supervised all reality series and specials for more than a decade, representing thousands of hours of programming, including American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, Hell’s Kitchen, MasterChef, and The X Factor.
A leading advocate for equity in representation, Wenda is co-founder and chairperson emeritus of CAPE (the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment), the largest and longest-running organization advancing Asian American and Pacific Islander representation in entertainment. She also served as president of East West Players, co-founded Asian Americans for Fair Media, co-chaired the Leaders Forum, and served on the boards of the Association of Asian Pacific American Artists and California Humanities. She has been a member of the Directors Guild of America since 1980 and is founding co-chair and chairperson emeritus of the DGA Asian American Committee. She is also a member of the Producers Guild of America and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Appointed in 2018 to the California State University Board of Trustees, Wenda became its first Asian American board chair (2022–2024) and was reappointed to a second term as trustee. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Ethnic Studies from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Liz Watkins
Liz Watkins is Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor and Professor of History at the University of California, Riverside. As chief academic officer for the campus, she provides leadership to the entire academic enterprise, manages day-to-day operations of the university, and oversees the allocation of resources. Watkins came to UCR from UC San Francisco where, after eight years as director of graduate studies in the history of health sciences, she was appointed Dean of the Graduate Division in 2012 and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs in 2013. She earned a BA in Biology and a PhD in History of Science at Harvard University.
Since joining UCR in 2021, Watkins has developed a new strategic plan with built-in accountability for leadership to demonstrate measurable improvement toward strategic goals; restructured financial governance to provide greater transparency of and accountability for the campus budget; launched and funded UCR’s first campus interdisciplinary research center; designed and executed a biennial faculty salary equity program; and invested funds to support graduate education and to address deferred educational needs in instructional equipment and resources.
Watkins’ research has focused on the interrelations of medicine, science, commerce and culture in the United States in the 20th-21st centuries. She is the author of On the Pill: A Social History of Oral Contraceptives, 1950-1970 and The Estrogen Elixir: A History of Hormone Replacement Therapy in America. She is also the co-editor of three other books and has written numerous articles on the histories of birth control; prescription drugs; estrogen and female aging; testosterone and male aging; and stress and disease. Her work has been funded by NEH, NSF, NIH/National Library of Medicine, and the National Academy of Education.
Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes
Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes— trailblazing ninth president and first woman to lead California State University, Los Angeles, was appointed by the CSU Board of Trustees to serve as president, effective January 8, 2024. Dr. Eanes arrived with a lifelong conviction that higher education is “one of the most important social justice issues of our time”. Cal State LA already stands at the pinnacle of that mission, ranked no. 1 in the nation for upward mobility, and serving more than 22,000 remarkably diverse students who mirror the future of Los Angeles and the nation.
Former president of York College, City University of New York, Dr. Eanes set a collaborative tone through a campuswide listening tour that strengthened community partnerships and opened doors of opportunity for thousands of first-generation scholars. Bringing that same spirit to Cal State LA, she has forged alliances that will spur innovation across the arts, sciences, and civic life. Her scholarship in social work centers on real-world impact—examining enrollment patterns, the pandemic’s effects, and the evolving value of public higher education—ensuring her decisions are grounded in both data and compassion.
Prior to York College, as Vice President of Student Affairs at Cal State Fullerton, Dr. Eanes reimagined student programming and implemented initiatives that increased six-year graduation rates by 30 percent and four-year rates by 65 percent. She championed immersive learning, holistic wellness, and an unwavering dedication to equity and consistently turned bold ideas into measurable gains for students who might otherwise be left behind – leadership that earned her the prestigious CSU Wang Family Excellence Award
Returning to the CSU as president of Cal State LA, Dr. Eanes leads with both head and heart alike. She sees every Golden Eagle as a catalyst for progress in their families and communities, and she challenges the campus community to dream audaciously while doing the hard work of transformation. Under Eanes’ visionary leadership, the university will reach to soar to new heights, proving that when we empower dreams, we truly transform lives.
Dr. Eanes earned a bachelor’s degree in public health from Dillard University; a master’s degree in social work from Boston University; and her doctorate in social work from Clark Atlanta University.
Dr. Martha Garcia
As the 10th President/CEO of Mt. San Antonio College, she is the first President of color for the College, as well as the second female President. Dr. Martha Garcia is driven to serve the students, whose experiences often reflect her own.
Dr. Garcia was the first in her family to pursue higher education, getting her start at a community college. Her parents, both from Mexico, worked as farmworkers so their children could have better opportunities in life.
Dr. Garcia is committed to the transformative power of higher education and student-centered leadership. The values she learned from her parents – hard work, perseverance, honesty, and respect – guide and inspire her.
Prior to joining Mt. SAC, Dr. Garcia was the Superintendent/President of College of the Desert (COD). Before joining COD, Dr. Garcia served as Superintendent/President of Imperial Valley College in Imperial, California, where she developed numerous programs to remove barriers to student success.
To help students facing food and housing insecurity, she helped create a tiny housing community, student food pantry, and food distribution program on campus. She also secured more than $23 million in grants to support the creation of innovative programs and services.
In her 21 years at Imperial Valley College, Dr. Garcia also served as Vice President of Student Services, Acting Vice President of Academic Services, and Special Projects Coordinator overseeing Career Education programs. She was named one of the 2018 Distinguished Woman of the Year by Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia.
Dr. Garcia holds a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University, a Master’s Degree in Educational Counseling from National University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from San Diego State University, and an Associate Degree from Imperial Valley College.
She also serves or has served in leadership roles on boards and task forces of numerous organizations, including the California Association of Latino Community College Trustees and Administrators, Community College League of California Committees, and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Implementation Workgroup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should attend this Lunch & Learn event?
This event is designed for higher education professionals, faculty, administrators, and emerging leaders who are interested in mentorship, leadership development, and navigating the complexities of higher education.
What will be covered during the session?
This session will highlight women who are redefining leadership and building pathways grounded in their values, voices, and visions. Attendees will hear perspectives from leaders across the UC, CSU, and California Community Colleges systems on what it means to lead authentically and on one’s own terms.
How much does registration cost, and what does it include?
Registration is $85, which includes lunch, networking opportunities, and access to a panel of accomplished women leaders sharing their expertise on mentorship and leadership.
Where and when will the event take place?
The Lunch & Learn will be held at CSU San Bernardino – Santos Manuel Student Union North. The event will take place March 20th, 2025 from 11 am – 2 pm.
Will there be opportunities for networking?
Yes! In addition to the panel discussion, attendees will have dedicated time for networking, allowing them to connect with mentors, peers, and higher education leaders in an engaging and supportive environment.
How do I register for the event?
You can register online through Eventbrite. Spots are limited, so early registration is encouraged to secure your seat.
Where can I find parking?
Location: CSU San Bernardino – Santos Manuel Student Union North
Parking will be Free in Lot “D” – Attendees will be required to register their vehicles before the event here: https://www.offstreet.io/events/XM2B6UXF
How do I reserve for the bowling activity?
To reserve bowling, please email: Academic.Programs@csusb.edu.
Grow, Connect, Lead
About
The ACE Women’s Network Lunch & Learn Series offers engaging discussions, expert insights, and networking opportunities over lunch. Designed for higher education professionals, these sessions explore leadership, career growth, and mentorship in an informal, interactive setting. Join us to learn, connect, and be inspired!
