CEO Leadership Alliance Orange County
PROGRAMS
Career Exploration Experience
CLAOC’s Career Exploration Experience is a micro-internship designed to introduce high school and university students to Orange County companies through a 4 to 6 week hybrid or in-person experience. Designed to complement existing recruitment strategies and provide meaningful employee engagement opportunities, the Career Exploration Experience introduces students to the host company's mission, values, and work culture as they learn about careers across the organization. Additionally, students gain practical work experience as they work with host employees on a short-term project. Program accomplishments: 17 host businesses connected 186 high school students and 82 community college and university students to career experiences in 2025. CLAOC has connected 1,800+ OCers to career experiences since 2021.
17 host businesses connected 186 high school students and 82 community college and university students to career experiences in 2025. CLAOC has connected 1,800+ OCers to career experiences since 2021.
Healthcare Coalition
CLAOC’s Healthcare Coalition is addressing Orange County's healthcare talent shortage by increasing the qualified talent pool and building a sustainable, evergreen talent pipeline. By partnering with six top healthcare institutions in OC, we are aligning efforts to expand the healthcare talent pipeline and ensure Orange County has the qualified workforce needed to deliver exceptional care now and into the future.
These leaders are working to address shared workforce challenges, including talent shortages in high-demand roles, training capacity limits, and retention hurdles.
OC Fellows
OC Fellows is a two-year program designed to develop and retain diverse young professionals in Orange County. The program supports recent university graduates employed at OC-based companies by offering learning workshops, skill building, networking opportunities, community service and connection across industries. It is an opportunity to grow and learn alongside other young professionals in Orange County. The program also emphasizes community engagement with local high school and university students, helping fellows build meaningful connections and give back. Through skill-building and networking, OC Fellows strengthen ties to Orange County leaders, companies, and career opportunities, equipping participants to thrive as the region's next generation of business leaders.
Program accomplishments: over 200 current and past OC Fellows alumni, with a 90% OC retention rate. The 6th cohort of OC Fellows launched in 2025.
AI Talent Lab
CLAOC's AI Talent Lab cultivates an inclusive, future-ready workforce for the AI era, bringing together civic and business leaders, AI entrepreneurs, and education organizations through a monthly AI Working Group and quarterly Tech Leaders Group. Since launch, the AI Talent Lab has engaged over 7,800 participants through panels, summits, and ecosystem events, and reached 250+ students through industry-sponsored AI projects, micro-internships, and certifications.
In 2025, the program delivered micro-internships with partners including Expert AI Consulting, Kaiser Permanente, CSUF, and Wisk Aero, and secured a $215,000 California Jobs First grant for an AI training pilot serving 75 water district employees with Moulton Niguel Water District, California Data Collaborative, and UC Irvine's Division of Continuing Education. CLAOC also released its OC AI Guiding Principles, which highlights OC’s commitment to responsible AI development, inclusivity, ethical impact, workforce preparedness, and long-term sustainability.
CONTACT
CEO Leadership Alliance Orange CountyKarly Simpson
Phone: 9492306133