HOBY exists to motivate and empower individuals to make a positive difference within our society through understanding and action based on effective and compassionate leadership. To accomplish this, we strive to inspire and develop our community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation.
The HOBY California South Leadership Seminar is a three day leadership development program which brings together students from over seventy schools across Southern California. HOBY Ambassadors are high school rising juniors chosen to represent their communities while developing their leadership potential at HOBY seminar. Planned and executed completely by volunteers, the seminar is a motivational, hands-on program that includes critical thinking, mentoring, panel discussions, goal-setting, and project planning activities. Each summer, our ambassadors learn individual leadership styles, group dynamics, and leadership in society–all with a focus on Leadership for Service to their communities. Students are challenged to make a difference now in their schools and communities, and challenged to perform 100 hours of service within the 12 months following their seminar, beginning with over four hours of service during the seminar itself.
The 2026 HOBY Southern California Seminar will take place at the University of San Diego, beginning the morning of June 26th, and running through the afternoon of Sunday June 28th. To register a HOBY Ambassador for the summer of 2026, please contact matt.matu@hobyca.org.
Our seminar is made possible by the generous support of people like you. Please consider making a donation to support HOBY CA South.
Matt Matusiewicz – Leadership Seminar Chair
Jillian Howell – Leadership Seminar Vice Chair
Danielle Shores – Director of Volunteer Experience
MC Nunez – Director of Programs
Damian De Casas – Director of Junior Facilitators
Sydney Kim – Director of Operations
Salma Rocha – Director of Facilitators
Perla Lares – Director of Recruitment
Robyn Bellina – Director of Media
Talia Nguyen – Director of Fundraising
Matt Korniczky – Data & Outreach Manager
We are grateful to host the HOBY Southern California seminar in partnership with the University of San Diego. Temperate coastal weather in combination with the beautiful USD campus allows for a jam-packed seminar without sacrificing the comfort of our ambassadors and volunteers. This year, all of the dorms provided to HOBY programs at USD are newly renovated.
