Advancing the Public Good

Inspiring excellence in leaders and organizations

Since 1993, The Centre has delivered thousands of hours of training, coaching, and consulting services to dozens of public sector organizations throughout California and beyond.

A Distinctive Spelling

Centre founder Trudy Sopp used the Canadian spelling of the term as a subtle and respectful nod to her graduate school experience at the University of Toronto. “It also represents the sociological and ‘big picture’ impact on my thinking that living in Canada provided,” Sopp recalls.

The Centre Logo

The infinity symbol evokes core elements of The Centre’s purpose. Leadership, effectively and ethically applied, has innumerable effects, changing both influencer and influenced forever. The Centre’s “C” is incorporated in the logo, and is mirrored to represent the shared values reflected by our Clients.

Joint Powers Authority

A joint powers authority (JPA) is a legal organizational structure, not unlike a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As a JPA, the California Controller’s Office has designated The Centre as a special district, making The Centre a public sector agency, like the clients whom it serves.

Our Services

Customized services tailored to your needs.

The Centre’s programs and services are based on proven theory, delivered by expert practitioners, and tailored to meet the unique needs of its clients.

Our Clients

On the front lines of public service.

The Centre’s clients represent more than eight public sector industries serving the interests of citizens throughout California and beyond.

8

Industries

100

Clients

1000

Projects

Our Consultants

Dozens of consultants. Hundreds of years’ experience.

The Centre partners with dozens of consultants who apply their backgrounds in business, leadership, psychology, sociology, and public administration to providing exceptional training and coaching services.

Interested in becoming a Centre consultant?

Apply Now

Our Team

The Center of The Centre.

The Centre’s team is dedicated to providing exceptional service and support.

 

Sommer Kehrli - The Centre

Sommer Kehrli, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer

Jena Ellithorpe, M.A.
Organization Development Specialist

Julie Riklin - The Centre

Julie Riklin, B.A.
Training Programs Manager

Julie Riklin - The Centre

Julie Riklin, B.A.
Training Programs Manager

Julie Riklin - The Centre

Julie Riklin, B.A.
Training Programs Manager

Julie Riklin - The Centre

Julie Riklin, B.A.
Training Programs Manager

Sommer Kehrli - The Centre

Sommer Kehrli, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer

Jena Ellithorpe, M.A.
Organization Development Specialist

Greg Harkless, M.A.
Director of Operations

Kelly Dalrymple
Administrative Support

Deanna Potter - The Centre

Deanna Potter, M.A.
Strategic Communications Manager

Julie Riklin - The Centre

Julie Riklin, B.A.
Training Programs Manager

Sommer Kehrli, Ph.D.

Sommer Kehrli, Ph.D.

Chief Executive Officer

Greg Harkless, M.A.

Director of Operations
Deanna Potter, M.A.

Deanna Potter, M.A.

Strategic Communications Manager
Jena Ellithorpe, M.A.

Jena Ellithorpe, M.A.

Organization Development Specialist
Julie Riklin, B.A.

Julie Riklin, B.A.

Training Programs Manager

Kelly Dalrymple

Administrative Support

Our Board

Still serving after all these years.

The Centre is governed by an independent Board of Directors whose stewardship is rooted in decades of public sector and nonprofit experience.

View Board Meeting Agenda

Judith T. Muñoz has more than 30 years executive-level experience, having retired from The Scripps Research Institute as its Vice President responsible for the departments Human Resources, Counseling and Psychological Services, Career and Postdoctoral Services, and the International Office. She served as a member of the San Diego Humane Society’s Board of Trustees from 1996 to 2009, its Chair for seven years, and most recently as the interim president. Dr. Muñoz received her Doctorate in Leadership Studies with an emphasis in Organizational Development from the University of San Diego and her Masters in Counseling Psychology from the University of Oregon in Eugene.

Frank Belock, Jr. most recently served as Deputy General Manager of the Water Authority from August 2007 until June 2016. Before joining the Water Authority, Mr. Belock was employed by the Parsons Corporation serving in the capacity of Area Manager for the San Diego office. Mr. Belock is a California registered professional civil engineer. Prior to his employment with Parsons, he served as Water Department Director, Director of Engineering and Capital Projects, and Deputy City Manager for the City of San Diego. Mr. Belock received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Vermont and his Master of Public Administration from San Diego State University.

Betsy Morris is a highly accomplished leader and expert in housing programs and urban public policy. As the President and Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Housing Commission, she was known for her policy leadership as well as relationship building and appropriate risk taking to achieve far-reaching goals. Betsy was responsible for managing an innovative, multifaceted housing agency with a budget in excess of $250 million and 245 employees. She designed and implemented a groundbreaking approach to conventional public housing, leveraging cash flow to finance additional affordable housing while enhancing the agency’s financial stability. Under her leadership, Housing Commission programs have garnered dozens of awards for creativity and effectiveness, including development of a new office building in a mixed use, transit oriented complex. Throughout her career she has served as an officer and board member for numerous professional and community organizations. Betsy graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and has completed Masters course work in Urban Planning.

Until her retirement, Lisa Stoia served the public sector for 30 years in agencies throughout the San Diego region, most recently as the Director of Administrative Services at the Helix Water District. She played multiple roles for the cities of San Diego and Carlsbad including Finance Director, Deputy City Manager, and Financial Management Director. Lisa has served on the boards of the San Diego Data Processing Corporation and the La Mesa Environmental Sustainability Commission, and is a former member of multiple finance associations. Lisa is a founding member of the San Diego Women’s Foundation.

Mark Weston’s career in public service spans 50 years in water, wastewater, and municipal engineering. Before retiring, Mark served as the Chair and Director of the San Diego County Water Authority, the General Manager and Chief Engineer at the Helix Water District, the Director of Engineering at the City of Poway, and numerous other engineering positions in California and Montana. He was graduated from the University of California Davis with two B.S. degrees and a Master’s degree in engineering. Mark is a lifelong student of exceptional management practices. His guiding principle always has been to create a work environment to attract that best qualified employees and to help them excel in the work they love. Mark is an avid traveler, hiker, open water swimmer, and golfer, and is proud to be a fifth generation Californian.

Sommer Kehrli is the Chief Executive Officer for The Centre for Organization Effectiveness. Her background includes leading large-scale change management and employee engagement efforts, facilitating executive retreats and teambuilding workshops, coaching leaders of all levels, designing training programs, conducting research on leadership competencies, and creating assessment instruments.

Sommer has experience in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. She has worked with local and state government, pharmaceutical companies, financial institutions, healthcare organizations, and universities. Sommer worked at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California as the Director of Performance Improvement and as an Organization Development Consultant.

Sommer has a Ph.D. and Masters degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Santa Clara University. Sommer is a member of the American Psychological Association, Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, American Society for Public Administration, and Organization Development Network. Sommer is also a fellow in the UCSF – Center for Health Professions Change Agent Program.

The Centre for Organization Effectiveness

The Centre is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA), a legal organizational structure, not unlike a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As a JPA, the California Controller’s Office has designated The Centre as a special district, making The Centre a public sector agency like the many of the clients we serve.

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