Women in Leadership
Speakers:
Jean Fuller, Senator Emeritus
Fuller served in public office from 2006-2018. She holds a doctorate degree from UC Santa Barbara, a Master's degree from CSU Los Angeles, a Bachelor's Degree from California State University, Fresno, and an Associate's Degree from Bakersfield College.
Georgia Petropoulos - President/CEO, B3K Prosperity
In September of 2024, Georgia Petropoulos was unanimously selected as the first permanent, full-time CEO and President for B3K Prosperity, which is a collaboration between business and government leaders to attract industries that can bring higher quality jobs to Kern County.
Before joining B3K, Georgia Petropoulos was the Executive Director and CEO of the Oakland Business Improvement District in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for more than 20 years, where she helped the City of Pittsburgh diversify its economic development portfolio through the decline of the steel industry. Before working in economic and community development, Georgia was an architect in her hometown of Pittsburgh. She has a Master’s degree in Architecture from Washington Unviersity in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture Studies and French Language and Literature from the University of Pittsburgh.
Deanna Blaise - Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer, Valley Strong Credit Union
Deanna Blaise is the Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer for Valley Strong Credit Union, helping to forge relationships between Valley Strong and the Central Valley business community. In January, she was named as the Chairwoman of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce.
Prior to working with Valley Strong, Deanna Blaise was a Senior Vice President, Director of Retail Strategy at Rabobank, now known as Mechanics Bank. She has degrees related to banking, business and organizational leadership from Pacific Coast Banking School, IESE Business School, and CSUB.
Olivia Calderon - Mayor, City of Arvin
In December of 2024, Olivia Calderon was sworn in as the mayor of Arvin, a rural city in Southern Kern County. She is the daughter of former Arvin Mayor Olivia Trujillo, who died in office during her last year of service. Mayor Calderon is also the President of the Arvin and Lamont Kiwanis Club.
Before returning to her hometown of Arvin, Olivia Calderon worked with the City of Los Angeles Community Development Department and as a California Legislative Director with the New America Foundation Asset Building Program. She takes office during a critical time in the city’s of Arvin’s history, as residents recently celebrated the long-awaited opening of the Bakersfield College Arvin Educational Center, which is located across the street from Arvin High School.
