Newsletter

California JPIA Recognizes Capstone Award Winner Dorna Farhadi

The California JPIA congratulates City of Laguna Niguel Human Resources Manager Dorna Farhadi, who received the 12^th annual Capstone Award at the California JPIA’s Annual Risk Management Educational Forum in Carlsbad.

“Dorna has built a proactive and hands-on risk management program, with safety at its core. Her leadership and follow-through have been key to its success,” said Laguna Niguel City Manager Tammy Letourneau. “Her open-door approach and strong relationships with staff have built trust across the organization, and her hands-on leadership and proactive risk management help resolve issues before they arise.”

Read More

Since stepping into the role of designated risk manager for the City of Laguna Niguel, Farhadi has placed a strong focus on enhancing risk mitigation efforts through education and the development of standardized resources, including guides and workflow processes. Farhadi has also been very intentional about providing many training opportunities, both in-person and virtual, which have led to impactful change and a more well-trained staff throughout the organization.

“Keeping best practices and training materials up to date is essential for maintaining compliance and reducing legal risk,” said Farhadi. “It also strengthens staff preparedness and promotes the sharing of risk-related knowledge across departments.”

“Dorna brings a people-first approach to risk management, making complex policies accessible and engaging staff at all levels,” said Laguna Niguel Assistant City Manager Justin Martin. “Her ability to connect has strengthened our overall strategy and led to meaningful results.”

At Farhadi’s helm, the city worked closely with the Authority to address significant risk concerns related to the reconstruction of a major arterial damaged by a landslide two years ago. As part of the $16 million repair project, the city carefully evaluated construction-related risks to establish appropriate insurance policy limits—striking a balance between protecting municipal interests and remaining fair to contractors.

“Dorna adds value in so many ways. She goes beyond checking boxes—she builds systems that integrate safety into every part of the organization,” said Senior Risk Manager Lucy Brockmeier. “Her leadership has helped position Laguna Niguel to be named an agency exemplar within the JPIA community.”

Farhadi has also led the development of a city Wellness Program, which focuses on staff well-being. Offerings include a monthly wellness newsletter, healthy recipes, and physical challenges.

“My goal is to continue to be a leader in enhancing risk management efforts and to minimize overall risk for the city through effective communication internally across all city departments, and through the implementation of best practices citywide,” said Farhadi.

The Capstone Award is presented annually to an individual at a member agency who exemplifies the practice of risk management by supporting or improving risk management efforts within their agency, influencing others in developing or maintaining positive risk management efforts, and coordinating support systems that serve the member’s risk management goals and needs.

The 2025 finalists also included:

• Kristi Hobrecker, City of Santa Clarita
• Pam Kobylarz, Town of Mammoth Lakes
• Kevin McCarthy, City of Indian Wells, and
• Josephine Wilson, City of Westlake Village

To learn more about the Capstone Award and view the finalist videos, visit the award webpage.

< Back to Full Issue Print Article