USC Marshall School of Business graduate Darin Chidsey was recognized at the Southern California Leadership Network Visionaries Awards gala last month. Alumni of the Southern California Leadership Network’s (SCLN) fellowship program were honored at the event.
Chidsey earned his MBA in 2011 and twice graduated from the SCLA fellowship program, having completed the Leadership Southern California fellowship in 2008 and the California Connections fellowship in 2012.
“It is a great honor to be recognized alongside some of the region’s most admirable innovators and role models,” Chidsey said. “SCLN’s fellowship programs have been instrumental in developing a strong class of leadership for Southern California.”
Chidsey is currently the COO of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), which is the nation’s largest metropolitan planning organization. SCAG represents 18 million people in 191 cities and six counties in Southern California. As COO, Chidsey is responsible for driving the agencies strategies and leading the implementation of new initiatives. He previously served as the organization’s director of strategy, policy and public affairs. Chidsey also serves on the SCLN board.
SCLN was founded in 1987 to train and develop a network of leaders in the business, government and community sectors of Southern California. The gala was held to celebrate the Network’s 30th anniversary. Chidsey was among 30 outstanding alumni of SCLN’s fellowship programs who were honored.
“Darin has demonstrated commendable skill and dedication to making a positive impact on the region, state and nation,” said Nancy Olson, executive director of SCLN. “His work exemplifies the SCLN mission of driving change.”
Other honorees included U.S. Representative Pete Aguilar; Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas; Maria Contreras-Sweet, former administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration; Juan Devis, chief creative officer for KCET; and Danielle Brazell, general manager for the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.