Communities of Excellence 2026 would like to thank the members of the Learning Collaborative Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee provided valuable guidance and oversight of the Learning Collaborative curriculum and process.
James Beatty, PhD, San Diego, CA
Joel Ettinger, President/CEO, Category One, Inc
Bob Fangmeyer, Director, Baldrige Performance Excellence Program
Tommy Gonzalez, City Manager, El Paso, TX
Mike Kramer, Founder/CEO, ManageHub
Tim Kruse, Founder, Kruse Innovation Partners
Anabel Poole, Chief, Agency Operations, Health and Human Services Agency, County of San Diego
Sarah Rafi, Administrative Analyst III, Health and Human Services Agency, County of San Diego
Mary Jo Schumann, PhD, Director, Caster Family Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research, University of San Diego
Rich Umbdenstock, Spokane, WA
Natasha Marie Wright, Policy Coordinator, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (Former Kruse Scholar)
