North Bay NEXT 2023 - Confirmed Speaker
Lorez Bailey
Lorez Bailey is the publisher of the North Bay Business Journal. A business-to-business publication and website that for over 35 years has been covering the business news of the North Bay. The North Bay Business Journal is part of the Sonoma Media Investments group of publications including the Press Democrat.
Prior to returning to a career in media Lorez served 5 years as the executive director of Chop’s Teen Club a 20,000 plus Sq Ft. facility serving and mentoring teens from grades 7-12 located in downtown Santa Rosa. Considered an innovative one-of-a-kind recreation facility including culinary, music, art, technology programs and so much more.
In recognition of Women’s History Month, in 2019 she was awarded U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson’s Sonoma County “Woman of the Year” for her work with students across Sonoma County and her smart advocacy to implement change in student support programs that produced important changes that prepare students for the 21st Century economy.
Lorez has also worked a large part of her career in media including The Community Voice, Press Democrat, Fremont Argus, Bay Area News Group, Youth News and Channel 50. Lorez earned her B.A. in Communication Studies and Telecommunications from Sacramento State University and M.A. in Education with an Education Technology emphasis from Sonoma State University.
Before Chop’s, Lorez worked at Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) as the Director of College and Career Readiness where she spearheaded the creation and/or revision of all Sonoma County high school college and career centers. A great part that work also consisted of leading a team of work-based learning coordinators who worked in schools to; elevate Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, connect schools to the business community and implement the work-based linked learning initiatives.
She is a proud active graduate chapter member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Nu Omega Chapter. Lorez is member of the Pepperwood Preserve Foundation Board, 10,000 Degrees Sonoma County Advisory Board, Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center Program Advisory Board and the California Press Foundation.