Dr. Ana DeGenna’s path into education wasn’t one she expected. With an undergraduate degree in economics, she originally imagined a future in public policy. But a substitute teaching job led her to the classroom, where she discovered a deeper purpose. What started as a temporary role quickly became the foundation of a career in public education.

Through those early classroom experiences, she recognized the broader impact of public schools — not just on students, but on the communities they serve. She saw how thriving schools contribute to thriving neighborhoods, and how education is deeply intertwined with opportunity. Teaching led to school leadership, and over time, she became a principal and eventually superintendent.

Her journey represents a full-circle experience. Dr. DeGenna arrived in the United States from Ecuador as a young English learner and was once a student in the very district she now leads. The support she received as a newcomer shaped her path, and over the years, she has served Oxnard students as a teacher and principal. Now, as superintendent, she works to ensure that the same opportunities that shaped her are available to every student who walks through the district’s doors.

Oxnard, she says, is a district with a strong sense of identity. Cultural and linguistic diversity are not just present, they are celebrated. Even through political shifts, Oxnard has remained committed to biliteracy and multilingualism, a value upheld not only by educators but by the families and communities they serve.

With over 30 years of experience training leaders and teams, Deborah brings a rare combination of deep leadership expertise, academic rigor, and real-world application to the challenge of AI adoption.

Rotary Club BOD Meeting @ 12:00 pm
Ocean Air Bank
2151 E Gonzales Rd
Oxnard, CA 93036

President Cynthia appoints nominating committee for 2027-28 club officers.

Club Officers and Avenues of Service chairpersons prepare for District Governor’s visit.

Margarida Eidson is a member of the Rotary Club of Ventura East, joining in May of 2017. She served as Club President in 2020-2021 and again for the last Quarter of 2023. Margarida served District 5240 as Youth Services Director in 2021-22, as Assistant Governor in 2022-23, and as Chief of Staff in 2023-24. She was selected as the District Governor for 2026-27.

Margarida is the president of Eidson Management, Inc., which provides bookkeeping, financial analysis, marketing, and human resource services to multiple clients. In addition, Margarida’s company manages the Poinsettia Pavilion, a non-profit event center in Ventura that hosts around 80 events monthly. Margarida enjoys volunteering in her community, holding many different positions throughout the years. She lives in Camarillo, California and has four wonderful boys.

5 fun facts about District Governor Margarida:

1. She is from Portugal.

2. She was a professional Ballet dancer.

3. Every year she swam around the Ventura pier with all her boys at the end of Jr. Lifeguards summer training camp.

4. To relax she loves to knit and crochet.

5. While her boys were Boy Scouts, she attended many Boy Scouts summer camps.

Teams of 3 persons are invited to participate -- $250/team – proceeds support the Ventura County Library Foundation.  Also, volunteers are need to serve two-hour shifts from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Contact Bob Davis.

Location TBD

Denise Carter is a dynamic and multifaceted personality from Oxnard, California. Born and raised in this vibrant coastal city, Denise has established herself as a prominent figure in both the entertainment and healthcare industries. As a comedian, Denise is known as the “Reigning queen of comedy of Oxnard, California”, Ventura Reporter consequently. Her infectious smile and gregarious personality instantly captivate audiences, making them laugh with her observational humor that draws from everyday life experiences. Denise has graced stages at renowned venues such as The D in Las Vegas, Oxnard Levity Live, Ventura Harbor Comedy Club, and the World Famous Comedy Store in Hollywood.

Expanding her creative horizons, Denise has ventured into podcasting with “Hanging Out with the Carters,” an engaging show that brings laughter and a sense of connection to listeners. As a host and content creator, she explores conversations with community leaders and family, showcasing her versatility in the entertainment industry.

In her professional life, Denise serves as the Regional Director at Mission Healthcare, a home health and hospice company, where she has been making significant contributions since June 2015. This role highlights her compassionate nature and leadership skills in the healthcare sector.

Denise’s community involvement is noteworthy, as she participates in multiple fundraisers and acts as an auctioneer for various causes. Her ability to connect people and bring communities together has earned her recognition, including a Community Service Award from the Ventura Medical Association in 2018.

As a writer, producer, and promoter, Denise continually pushes the boundaries of her creative endeavors1. Her upcoming venture, Denise Carter’s Enterprises, promises to be an exciting new chapter in her diverse career.

Denise Carter embodies the spirit of a true renaissance woman – a comedian who brings joy, a podcaster who fosters connections, a healthcare professional who cares for others, and a community leader who gives back.

Pattie Braga - Executive Director of Leadership Ventura County

Pattie Braga began her tenure at formerly named VCLA seven years ago, in August of 2019. In that time, she has increased VCLA’s brand awareness and community impact throughout the Ventura County community. Pattie has implemented three new programs under the direction of her board, including bi-monthly Leader Lunches, where alumni can connect and continue to learn about issues impacting the Ventura County community, a monthly alumni newsletter, which highlights alumni board and civic involvement, and rolled out an Alumni & Friends program, further connecting VCLA’s 745-alumni member network.

Pattie is a deeply engaged Ventura County resident. She is a connector within the community, which is perfectly suited for her role at VCLA. Pattie has served on the boards for the Ventura Family YMCA, Ventura Chamber of Commerce, the Palmer Drug Abuse Program, and Ventura County Leadership Academy. She was a “Big” with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program for many years until 2019, when her “Little” moved to attend Sacramento State University. She was named the 2019 Alumni of the Year by VCLA and received the Ventura Poinsettia Award as the Volunteer of the Year in 2012.  VCLA has now been re-branded as “Leadership Ventura County”

Susy started with CAVC in 2014 as a Cal-Fresh outreach staff member. She then became the Medi-Cal outreach team manager while completing her Master of Public Policy & Administration from California Lutheran University at the same time. She then became CAVC’s Manager of Community Services, in which she oversaw agency-wide reporting and compliance with the Community Service Block Grant. She also led Community Development workshops, marketing, and fund development efforts for CAVC.

Susy is a Ventura County native, having been born and raised in Oxnard to immigrant parents from Oaxaca, Mexico. She attended Oxnard High School and then earned a BA in Liberal Studies and Spanish from California State University, Northridge. After graduating, Susy worked for Southern California nonprofits before joining CAVC.

Susy lives in Oxnard with her husband, son, and four dogs. In her free time, she enjoys reading, attending local events, and finding new restaurants to try.