Spotlight on the Community

Gretchen Burns Bergman, Executive Director of A New PATH, and Elon Burns, OD Prevention Specialist and Drug and Alcohol Counselor, discuss treating addiction as a public health issue, reducing the stigma of addiction and expanding access to naloxone/Narcan to save lives.  Bergman and Burns offer San Diego business and civic leaders insight into substance use disorders, workforce impact and effecti...

Chris Cate, President & CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, talks about the Chamber's unapologetic pro-business mission and its relentless support to empower business leaders across the Cali-Baja region. Cate chats about lessons learned during his first year leading the chamber. Listen Where You Live! A bout Spotlight and Cloudcast Media   "Spotlight On The Community" is the lon...

Dr. Mark Sanchez, Superintendent and President of Southwestern College, shares how one of the nation's finest community colleges drives a powerful binational economic region through workforce-ready programs and cross-border partnerships. Sanchez highlights dual enrollment, baccalaureate degree expansion and talent pathways that meet students where they are to align with real regional workforce nee...

Maria Mingalone, Executive Director of Oceanside Museum of Art, talks about elevating the talent of Southern California artists and building a fresh, relevant and accessible art experience for the region's business and community leaders. Discover how community spirit, cultural investment, and creative partnerships can shape your leadership impact and organizational legacy. Listen Where You Live! A...

Sher DeWeese, Executive Director of Trauma Intervention Programs (TIP) of San Diego County, and Grant Affleck, a TIP volunteer, discuss supporting survivors of trauma and making long-term recovery less painful through 24/7 crisis response. They share how community volunteers partner with first responders to provide emotional and practical support after deaths, accidents and other traumatic events,...

Dee Folse, known as the "Flag Man" of Miramar National Cemetery, and Holly Shaffner, PR Director for Honor Flight San Diego, discuss flag decommissioning, honoring veterans and the power of service-driven leadership. Discover how San Diego leaders can support patriotic community initiatives, elevate corporate social responsibility and engage employees through meaningful veteran-focused partnership...

Maysoon Lehmeidi, Director of Pre-College Programs and Community Outreach at UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, and Alex Phan, Executive Director of Student Success at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, discuss building San Diego's future workforce through K‑12 pre-college pathways, problem-solving, and communication skills. They explore AI's impact on engineering, equity and a...

David Brenner, President and CEO of Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, shares how collaboration, AI and biomedical innovation are transforming health outcomes and the regional economy. Brenner explains why San Diego's research ecosystem, philanthropy and public–private partnerships are critical to forward-thinking executives and civic leaders. Listen Where You Live! A bout Spotlig...

Autumn Welch, Wildlife Operations Manager for San Diego Humane Society's Ramona Project Wildlife Center, describes how the center rehabilitates diverse animals from bears to mountain lions to coyotes and other native species while helping our region peacefully coexist with wildlife. Welch explains how thoughtful development, community education and strategic philanthropy can support science-based,...

Rachel Orose, President and CEO of the United Way of San Diego County, shares data-driven insights on affordability, economic mobility and the "real cost" of living for working families. Orose notes how United Way mobilizes corporate partners, STEAM-to-Careers pathways and the Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition to help San Diego's workforce move from survival to stability. Listen Where You Live! A...

Aaron Byzak, CEO of Solutions for Change, chats about his organization's Solutions Academy that helps reduce family homelessness. Bysak discusses Solutions to Change's zero-tolerance sobriety, innovative workforce development, Solutions Enterprise, and why private-sector leaders and philanthropists are critical partners in building real career ladders. Listen Where You Live! A bout Spotlight and C...

Rick Clark, past president of the La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club, discusses the birth of Operation Flags for Vets at Miramar National Cemetery and how it has become a signature, high-impact volunteer event honoring veterans. Clark talks about large-scale community service, intergenerational leadership with young Marines, and building education opportunities for 50,000students in Afghanistan....

Dr. Ivor Royston, Managing Member of Carson Royston Group, discusses his co-founding of San Diego's first biotech company, Hybritech.  Royston talks about his passion for the arts and the La Jolla Playhouse.  He chats about launching Innovation Night at the Playhouse, and why art, science, and philanthropy must align for regional growth. Listen Where You Live! A bout Spotlight and Cloudcast Media...

Andy Soler, Co-Chair of the Invictus Games San Diego 2029, chats about bringing this global adaptive sports event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women to America's premier military region. Soler explains how San Diego's business, military and civic leaders—from the Convention Center to the USS Midway—can power a world-class bid and lasting veteran legacy. Listen Where You Live! A bou...

Marcela Mercado, Executive Director of Fern Street Circus, and Catalina Paz, Artistic Director, discuss "social circus," free after-school programs in City Heights and creative residencies such as "clowning through the terminal" at San Diego International Airport. They share how circus arts build social skills, reduce stress and delivers measurable community impact. Listen Where You Live! A bout S...

Adrianna O'Donnell, Chief Growth Officer for the Chicano Federation of San Diego County, chats about cultivating opportunities and essential wraparound services for the 53,000 people the Federation serves annually through affordable housing, early childhood education and workforce development. O'Donnell shares how locals can align time, talent and treasure with the annual Unity Luncheon, strategic...

Mike Cohen, Trustee of the Bonita Museum and Cultural Center, is joined by renowned artist Michael Leaf, to talk about Leaf's transformative, world-class Sculpture Garden at the museum.  Leaf and Cohen explore arts-driven placemaking, public–private collaboration with Chula Vista and San Diego County, and how creative vision elevates community, education, and regional pride. Listen Where You Live!...

Scott Ashton, CEO of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, discusses advocacy, workforce and leadership development, and how small businesses, nonprofits, tourism and the military ecosystem drive Oceanside's $650M local economy. He shares insights on the Oceanside Leadership Academy and upcoming chamber events such as Armed Forces Day and Oceanside USA 250 Festival. Listen Where You Live! A bout Spot...

Debra Emerson, CEO of St. Madeleine Sophie's Center, shares how her "village" empowers adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through art, aquatics, a new senior center, and a thriving garden program. Emerson discusses funding challenges, high-impact partnerships and its major events, such as California Dreaming and the Hidden Diamonds fashion show. Listen Where You Live! A bout S...

Phil Kendro, Co-Founder of the Veterans Beer Club (VBC), and Sean Mulrooney, VBC chapter lead for San Diego, discuss building the nation's "best networking" organization for transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses. Kendro and Mulrooney discuss how the VBC's their three pillars—jobs, community service and camaraderie—create a powerful leadership pipeline. Listen Where You Live!...

Dr. Niki Elliot, Director of the Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity (CEEN) at USD, and Reverend Sarah Sumner-Eisenbraun, Co-Pastor of St. Andrews Lutheran Church, discuss Heart Centered Connections and building neuro-inclusive communities. They explore how to reduce school and foster placement breakdowns, and how the community can champion neurodiversity. Listen Where You Live! A bout S...

Jeanne McAlister, the iconic founder of the McAlister Institute, shares how 49 years of innovative addiction and mental health programs are transforming lives and strengthening the regional workforce. In this episode, hear actionable insights on cross-sector partnerships, treatment access, and building a culture of recovery that supports employees, families and communities. Listen Where You Live!...

Paul Downey, Chief Advocacy Officer of the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation, and Kristoffer Kelly, Director of Partnerships and Philanthropy, discuss senior isolation, elder fraud, longevity clubs, and the broken infrastructure for aging. Listeners will learn how strategic philanthropy, innovation, and partnerships— from senior centers to autonomous vehicles and homelessness prevention—can s...

Jesse Marx, Student Media Manager at SDSU, and Roman Fong, Editor in Chief of  The Daily Aztec , discuss student-run journalism, newsworthiness and combating "fake news" while serving a highly engaged campus community. Marx and Fong explore leadership, AI in the newsroom, funding challenges and how  The Daily Aztec  operates as a credible "paper of record" and a digital media powerhouse. Listen Wh...

Julie Potiker, owner of Mindful Methods for Life and author of  Gentle  Currents: Poems of Pause and Peace , discusses practical mindfulness tools people can use to reduce stress, improve focus and build "happy bridges" in the brain. In this episode, Julie shares science-backed strategies for leadership resilience, mental health and intentional living. Listen Where You Live! A bout Spotlight and C...