THOUSAND OAKS, CA - A workforce development expert and business and civic leaders will help California Lutheran University students prepare to launch their careers during the 2013 Mathews Leadership Forum on Thursday, Oct. 24.

The event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. in Lundring Events Center. Keynote speaker Michael Dolphin, chief of the Employment Development Department’s Workforce Services Division for Los Angeles and Ventura counties, will discuss “Is There a Job in My Future?”

Following an opening reception, students, faculty, staff and business and community leaders will participate in round-table discussions on how to network. The facilitators will include Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County Executive Director Steven Dwyer, Conejo Recreation and Park District General Manager Jim Friedl, Natural Balance Pet Food founder Joey Herrick, Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks and Naval Base Ventura County Commanding Officer Capt. Lawrence Vasquez. The small-group discussions help build relationships and provide mentoring opportunities.

Dolphin will speak after dinner. He oversees all EDD offices and programs in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including services to veterans, dislocated workers, youths and older workers in search of jobs and careers. He also recommends policies and procedures for job services at the state level.

CLU revived the annual event last year after a six-year hiatus. Named for former CLU President Mark Mathews, the forum has brought big names to campus and enabled students to discuss issues of common interest with community leaders for more than 30 years. Keynote speakers have included Kinkos founder Paul J. Orfalea, The Body Shop International founder Anita Roddick and the late UCLA basketball coach John Wooden.

The CLU Community Leaders Association and UCLA Health are presenting the event. John A. Short III of UBS Financial Services Inc. is the chair. Sponsors include Union Bank, University Village Thousand Oaks and Wells Fargo.

Lundring Event Center is located in the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center on the Thousand Oaks campus.

Tickets are $55. Sponsorships are also available. Reservations, which are requested by Thursday, Oct. 17, can be made at callutheran.edu/cla. For more information, contact the University Relations office at 805-493-3151.