Spotlight on the Community

Ken Pahkim, member of Front Runners & Walkers of San Diego, and Josh Caluza, Assistant Vice President of Talent Brand and Internal Communications at Mission Fed Credit Union, discuss inclusive leadership, Pride 5K, and building a true sense of belonging. They explore how strategic community partnerships, ERGs, and visible LGBTQ+ allyship strengthen culture, brand, and impact for regional busin...

Charles Parisi, Founder and CEO of Cloudcast Media, joins Spotlight on the Community to share how local podcasting has become the “fourth horse” in the local media race. He and host Drew Schlosberg explore record-setting growth in podcast revenue, community storytelling, and why forward-thinking executives are investing in mission-driven content. Listen Where You Live! A bout Spotlight and Cloudca...

Kim Berry Jones, President of The Kinship Fund, chat about trust-based philanthropy, multi-year unrestricted funding, and innovative collaboration with nonprofits serving women, girls, refugees, immigrants, and justice-impacted youth. Listeners will  hear how strategic partnerships, place-based projects in El Cajon, and youth mentorship collaboratives can maximize community impact and leadership R...

Dan Engel, Managing Director of JAG Legacy and Insurance Solutions, shares how his personal journey with both stage four melanoma and stage four prostate cancer has led him to bring urgency, perspective and heart to financial planning, trusts, and life insurance. Dan chats about legacy, philanthropy, and the Miracle League of San Diego's impact, offering actionable insights for San Diego executive...

Nick Rinell, adjunct faculty at the Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business and president of the AMU/APU chapter of Student Veterans of America, shares how leadership, perseverance, and accessible education strengthen today’s veteran workforce. Rinell notes how partnering with military-focused institutions creates talent pipelines and deepens community impact. Listen Where You Live! A bout Spotli...

Chris Rubio, Co-Founder of Arms Wide Open and Artistic Director of “Tarzan, Beat of the Jungle,” is joined by Shannan Rebold, drama teacher and performer, and actor Matthew Soares to discuss building inclusive performing arts that are “not just a show, but a life changer” for our community. They talk about how the Rising Stars and Inspire programs create opportunities for adults and kids with spec...

A.J. Munoz-Bond, Director of SDSU Adapted Athletics, Ana Firvida, para track and field student athlete, and Khristian Martinez, wheelchair tennis student athlete, discuss building an elite adapted athletics program and a true “family” of student athletes. They share how donor support, inclusive leadership, and high-performance training create life-changing opportunities and measurable community im...

Jacob Keeton, Director of Education & Engagement, Ciera MacIsaac, Wolf Care Coordinator, and Matt Anderson, Resource Development for the California Wolf Center, discuss wolf conservation, biodiversity and its Guardians of the Wild capital campaign. They share how businesses can align philanthropy, environmental leadership and regional community impact through this Julian-based conservation and...

Robin Toft, CEO of Curebound, discusses community-powered cancer research, bold philanthropy, and leveraging San Diego’s world-class biotech ecosystem to accelerate cures. Toft, a cancer survivor, explains how collaborative funding, precision medicine and early detection initiatives create measurable impact and meaningful corporate social responsibility opportunities. Listen Where You Live! A bout...

Eva Matthews, CEO of Mama's Kitchen, and Kerri Fox, Executive Director of Resounding Joy, discuss how medically tailored meals and nonprofit music therapy transform lives and reduce healthcare costs. They share data-driven outcomes, innovative partnerships, and concrete ways San Diego business leaders and executives can invest in food security, mental health, and community impact. Listen Where You...

Allie Sarnataro, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Ride Above Disability (RAD), and Sheri Hughes, a RAD volunteer and speech pathologist, discuss how therapeutic riding helps people of all disabilities “celebrate ability, create hope, and ride above challenges.” They explore measurable impact, volunteer leadership, and strategic philanthropy opportunities for executives seeking to strengthen co...

Tiffany Piquilloud, Executive Director of the Challenge Center, shares how extended physical therapy, assisted fitness, and subsidized care are transforming the lives of seniors and people with disabilities while reducing long-term healthcare costs.  Piquilloud talks about how strategic philanthropy, corporate sponsorships and volunteer engagement drive measurable community impact and support heal...

Madeline Bowen, Director of Workforce and Education Initiatives at Junior Achievement, and Christian Rincon, JA Fellows alumnus and USD student, discuss building economic mobility and the future talent pipeline through financial literacy, internships, and networking. San Diego executives will learn how work-based learning, mentoring, and early career exposure strengthen workforce development and s...

Ron Lewis, Board Chair of the Alzheimer's Association San Diego/Imperial Chapter, is joined by Courtney Pendleton, Public Relations and Community Manager at Mission Fed Credit Union, to discuss Alzheimer's dementia and the impact of the more than 160,000 family and friends providing Alzheimer's care. Lewis and Pendleton talk about brain health, caregiver support and how executive leadership can dr...

Anya Owensbrown, Founder and CEO of OUR KINGS, shares how her nonprofit uplifts, inspires and celebrates Black boys through leadership development, mentorship and safe spaces. Discover how executives and community leaders can support this grassroots nonprofit as it expands cohorts, launches a school and builds strong families and future talent. Listen Where You Live! A bout Spotlight and Cloudcast...

Veronica Murphy, Artistic Director of Write Out Loud, and Todd Blakesley, an actor in the American Literary Heroes program, discuss the power of reading aloud, inter-generational literacy and how arts programming strengthens community well-being and senior engagement. They share actionable insights for San Diego executives seeking high-impact, mission-driven partnerships with local nonprofits. Lis...

Jonathan Glus, Prebys Senior Art and Design Fellow in Residence at the Downtown San Diego Partnership, discusses leveraging downtown's arts and creative industries to drive economic growth, talent retention and urban revitalization. Glus highlights initiatives like Creative City, World Design Capital 2024, and Far South/Border North that fuels an $11B creative economy and cross-border innovation....

Juan Carlos Acosta, Founder and Artistic Director of SACRA/PROFANA, San Diego's leading professional chamber choir, is joined by Phoenix Nguyen, Board Member and Summer Choral Intensive Intern, to chat about how choral music, education outreach, and social impact performance build community and future leaders. They share how accessible, no-audition arts programs strengthen talent pipelines, employ...

Terry McKearney, President of the SDMAC Foundation, discusses military transition, veteran talent, and how scholarships and aviation repair certifications strengthen the regional workforce and local economy. San Diego County business leaders and executives will hear why retaining highly trained retired military is a strategic advantage for their companies and the region. Listen Where You Live! A b...

Sean Boyd, the Founder and Executive Artistic Director of the Trinity Theater Company, is joined by Connor Boyd, Regional Manager for Trinity Carlsbad, and teen leader Audrey Boull’t, to shout out arts education, economic impact and building future leaders. Discover how Trinity’s expansion, school partnerships and advocacy for arts funding strengthen local talent pipelines and community engagement...

Dr. Christina Connett Brophy, President and CEO of the Maritime Museum of San Diego, discusses the blue economy, data‑driven ocean sustainability, and the new Gateway Project.  Brophy chats about maritime innovation, AI, workforce development, and how public‑private partnerships are shaping our regional future and how San Diego County residents can get involved. Listen Where You Live! A bout Spotl...

Dr. Valerie Sussman, author of Love, Lies, and Narcissists in Disguise: The  A to Z Guide for Survivors of Narcissistic Abuse , talks about recognizing covert narcissism, gaslighting, and narcissistic behaviors in the workplace and at home. Sussman shares practical strategies for setting boundaries, protecting company culture, and supporting those affected by emotional abuse. Listen Where You Live...

Jason Booher, Strategic Advisor to the Navy SEAL Museum and Executive Project Lead for its prodigious expansion in 2029, shares how he applies his elite SEAL leadership experiences in combination with his expertise in strategic planning, start-up creation and organization leadership to build a world-class, cultural and educational destination.  Listen Where You Live! A bout Spotlight and Cloudcast...

Brian "Beef" Drechsler, Executive Director of the Navy SEAL Museum, shares how teamwork, discipline, and "team, teammate, self" drive leadership, philanthropy and community impact.  Drechsler discusses what drives his team to build a world-class museum experience, supporting veterans and families and to local nonprofits. Listen Where You Live! A bout Spotlight and Cloudcast Media   "Spotlight On T...

Don Crawford, a Navy SEAL Museum docent and retired Navy SEAL, shares how his journey from SEAL Team One in Vietnam to lead docent helps shape a world‑class museum experience for visitors and business leaders alike. Crawford talks about how lessons in leadership, teamwork, mission focus and community impact resonate with San Diego executives and their organizations. Listen Where You Live! A bout S...