The Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) is a new partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Human Resources that equips leaders with the skills to transition into higher roles. It is built upon the award-winning program that was launched in 2014 that has over 800 graduates, nearly 600 of whom remain in County service.
ELDP re-launched with CSAC on September 3, 2025, with 47 members across two cohorts. The participants are embarking on a 15-week program that is focused on self and social awareness. Cohort participants span across the 38 departments in Los Angeles County to encourage cross collaboration as they complete group projects, engage in executive coaching, and participate in courses focused on ten core leadership competencies.
During the first week, the cohorts spent two days at the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens. Lisa M. Garrett, Director of Personnel for the County of Los Angeles Department of Human Resources, introduced ELDP alongside Paul Danczyk, Chief Operating Officer for the CSAC Foundation.
“ELDP is structured to strengthen leadership capabilities, support professional development, and foster meaningful partnerships across county departments. I am excited to re-launch ELDP with the CSAC Foundation and its network of experts on county governance.”
– Lisa Garrett, Director of Personnel for LA County
Following a program overview, participants heard directly from ELDP alumni about their experience. These alumni included:
- Edward Yen, Executive Officer, Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors
- Cynthia McCoy-Miller, Senior Deputy Director, Mega Bureau, Los Angeles Department of Child and Family Services
- Jeramy Gray, Chief, Strategic Initiatives, Chief Executive Office
- Justine Esack, Chief Deputy Public Defender, Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office
- Odey Ukpo, Chief Medical Examiner, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner
- Yolanda Pina, Chief Deputy Librarian, Los Angeles County Library
ELDP marks a moment of expansion for the CSAC Foundation. This professional development program incorporates different elements that the Foundation provides: specialized courses, individualized coaching, and county-specific projects. What sets ELDP apart is how these components build on top of each other to have each county participant learn new skills and unlearn outdated practices.