Navigating Change Award

The Antelope Valley Economic Development and Growth Enterprise (AV EDGE) Announces 2024 Navigating Change Award nominations are now closed. We appreciate everyone’s nominations!

The Navigating Change Award is a leadership award presented by the Antelope Valley Economic Development & Growth Enterprise (AV EDGE). This year’s recipient will be celebrated during the Spring Business Summit taking place on April 5th, 2024 at the AV Fair & Event Center. This prestigious award honors individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership through their community service, significantly improving the quality of life for individuals and/or significantly helping organizations or local governments, while meeting the changing circumstances or challenges in the Antelope Valley region.  

According to AV EDGE Executive Director Drew Mercy, “Honorees are individuals who reject the idea of doing things a certain way because ‘that’s how we’ve always done it;’  Rather, they challenge the status quo with determination, innovation, and creativity, overcoming obstacles and changing landscape through collaboration and strategy.”

The AV EDGE Board members, committee, and staff are honored to announce the 2024 Navigating Change Award recipient is Regina Rossall, Westside Union School District Superintendent. 

Regina Rossall, a lifelong educator for fifty-four years, has held many different leadership roles, including teacher, principal, counselor, and assistant superintendent. Rossall is the President of the Urban Superintendents Association of America, a national organization of superintendents. Among her other achievements, she has been a president of the Westside Union School District and past president and current board member of the Antelope Valley Charter of Association of California School Administrators. Her various positions in our community underscore Rossall’s exceptional leadership and passion for the Antelope Valley region. She has served as Chairwoman of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and is a 19-year member of Lancaster West Rotary, where she has served in many roles, including President; she is also a member of the Alpha Charter Guild to the Antelope Valley Hospital, where she was also twice elected president and also was placed twice in charge of the debutantes. Rossall has also been the chairwoman of the Antelope Valley United Way, a board member of that same organization, and a board member of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles. Currently, Rossall is a board member of the Antelope Valley Chamber of Commerce and a member of AV EDGE.

AV EDGE Executive Director Drew Mercy says, “Navigating Change Honorees are innovative individuals who challenge the status quo with determination and creativity, overcoming obstacles. These exceptional leaders are dedicated to improving our communities through collaboration and effective strategies. Regina exemplifies the type of community leadership that contributes to making the Antelope Valley Region an extraordinary place for business, education, and lifestyle. It is an honor to recognize Regina Rossall. “

Past Navigating Change Award honorees include Marvin Crist, Vice Mayor of the City of Lancaster, whose passion and commitment to building collaborative and diverse workforce teams, coupled with his creative and strategic ability to build innovative partnerships, sponsorships, and new revenue streams for non-profit organizations, the City of Lancaster and countless local organizations has enriched the lives of residents and businesses throughout the Antelope Valley, Dante Simi, founder and past CEO of Learn 4 Life, for innovation and passion for alternative education; Ed Knudsen, with Antelope Valley College, recognized for overseeing significant campus growth and meeting the needs of students’ technical needs and during the pandemic; Diane Walker, for her work with Antelope Valley Joint Union High School District for her innovative strategies in building collaboration to increase Talent to Workforce success to prepare local students for high-quality jobs in the Antelope Valley; Pauline East for her work in increasing and capitalizing on the Antelope Valley’s filming potential; and Scott Ehrlich for his success in rejuvenating downtown Lancaster into “The BLVD.”

AV EDGE will be honoring Regina Rossall as the 2024 Navigating Change recipient at this year’s Spring Business Summit happening Friday, April. 5th from 7 AM-1 PM at the AV Fair & Event Center. 

Click here to see the full press release.