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Awards
In honor of Valley Vision’s founders, the Legacy Feast marks presentation of Valley Vision's annual Legacy of Leadership awards.  The awards recognize individuals, organizations, and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in the areas of the economy, social equity and the environment in our six-county region, which includes Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo, Yuba and Sutter counties.

Our goal is to honor our past leaders, recognize our current leaders, and build our future leaders...

The Past
In 1994, Valley Vision was founded by three extraordinary leaders who sought to popularize regional planning.  Each founder brought specific and different interests to the organization.  Len McCandliss has been deeply involved with social equity initiatives as the past CEO of the Sierra Health Foundation.  The late James McClatchy was a champion for smart regional planning as a protection against environmental encroachment.  Gordon Schaber, the late dean of the University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, portrayed tremendous leadership and determination while turning a one-room part-time law school into a one of the largest law campuses in the nation. 

In the spirit of our past founders, we honor current leaders in the areas of social equity, the environment, and the economy. 

A fourth award category honors pioneering Sacramento-area public relations executive Jean Runyon as the Regional Connector award.  Mention Jean to just about anyone in town and each will have a unique way of describing her... visionary, activist, partner, actress, philanthropist, communicator, strategist, crusader...

The Present
Valley Vision is seeking nominations of individuals, businesses, organizations and agencies, whose leadership has created a regional or local impact that can serve as a model for the entire six-county region. Award categories include:

• Jim McClatchy Environmental Leadership Award: This award recognizes significant positive environmental impacts in our region.
• Len McCandliss Social Equity Leadership Award:  This category recognizes outstanding achievements in improving the quality of life of the underserved and furthering social equity. 
• Gordon Schaber Economic Leadership Award: This category recognizes exceptional achievements in economic development in our region.
• Jean Runyon Regional Connector Award: This category honors leaders who connect citizens, bridge gaps and mentor future leaders.

View last year's winners.

The Future
it was Gordon Schaber's vision to build leadership that rises above boundaries and affects change at a regional scale. In keeping with this vision, each award recipient will identify an organization in their genre to receive a $5,000 award from an endowment Gordon left for this purpose. These organizations are examples of innovation and determination as they work collaboratively to make a difference, and they represent the next generation of regional leadership.

We hope you'll nominate a deserving candidate for a Legacy of Leadership Award. Nominate online here!

Questions? Contact Chris Aguirre at (916) 325-1630 or chris.aguirre@valleyvision.org.