Spotlight on the Community

Tad Parzen, President and CEO of the Burnham Center for Community Advancement, discusses building a "think tank to do tank" that uses data-driven civic dialogue to make the region a better place to live, work, and play for all.  Parzen shares how cross-sector collaboration, the One SD initiative and a problem-solving mentality over polarization can provide dividends for long-term regional goals an...

Gretchen Burns Bergman, Co-Founder and Executive Director of A New PATH, shares how "heart not harm" and harm reduction strategies are saving lives and creating safer neighborhoods. She discusses addiction as a public health issue, the Moms United to End the War on Drugs program and how business and civic leaders can support effective community solutions. Listen Where You Live! A bout Spotlight an...

Merrilee Neal, former Board Chair and top fundraiser for Susan G. Komen San Diego, and Leia Brune, Executive Director of Komen, discuss leadership, surviving breast cancer, and scaling impact through $1.1B in breast cancer research. Neal and Brune share how corporate leaders and executives can drive health equity, employee engagement, and community impact through strategic philanthropy and advocac...

Lauren Murphy, Vice President of Business Development at Prime Therapeutics, Executive Committee Member at Susan G. Komen San Diego and a 20-year breast cancer survivor, is joined by Abby Kim, Oncology Pharmacist and Director of Clinical Strategy at Prime Therapeutics, to discuss precision medicine, oncology innovation and patient navigation. This episode dives into how research, clinical trials a...

Krystia Rae, founder of Lavande Vitality House and a breast cancer survivor, shares how facing mortality reshaped her approach to leadership, wellness and impact. She discusses practical ways how people can experience fulfilling lives, lead with purpose and build heart-centered organizations. Listen Where You Live! A bout Spotlight and Cloudcast Media   "Spotlight On The Community" is the longest...

Alexis Kimpl, a publicist and young breast cancer survivor, and Dr. Rebecca Shatsky, medical oncologist and clinical trials leader at the UCSD Moores Cancer Center, chat about the rising rates of breast cancer among younger women.  Kimpl and Shatsky talk about the power of patient advocacy and the impact of research-driven care. Hear how intuition, early detection and community partnerships like S...

Stephen Minix, Vice President of Community for UpMetrics, discusses data storytelling, impact measurement, and getting capital to communities quicker with nonprofit leaders and funders. In this episode, he explores trust-based philanthropy, capacity building, and why relationships are your true currency for social impact. Listen Where You Live! A bout Spotlight and Cloudcast Media   "Spotlight On...

Neil O'Connell, Executive Director of the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial, and Trevor Wessman-Lavelle, Marketing & Communications Director, discuss the Memorial's "250 years of Valor"; volunteer‑centric leadership; and community impact that resonates with today's executives. Discover how honoring stories of courage, valor, and sacrifice can elevate your company's culture and philanthrop...

Brandon Steppe, Founder of The David's Harp Foundation and a Prebys Leadership Award honoree, and Adrian Cantero, Community Engagement Manager for the Foundation, talk about how music, mentorship, and real-world production skills create an ecosystem of small business for justice-involved youth. They share how corporate partnerships, workforce development, and impact-driven leadership can transform...

Colleen Ster, Founder and CEO of Reflections Publishing, discusses The Resilience Game Plan, growth mindset and communication tools that prepare today's students to become tomorrow's global change makers. Ster explores how people can support youth resilience, foster youth success and build future talent in an age of AI and rising anxiety. Listen Where You Live! A bout Spotlight and Cloudcast Media...

Tom Davis, a longtime education and community leader, and USD basketball player, is joined by Mike Dupree, a former Helix High teammate of San Diego icon and NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton, and Jim Bristol, a former Monte Vista basketball standout, to reminisce about their relationship with Walton  -- on and off the court.  They discuss Bill Walton's leadership, legacy, and community impact. This e...

Richard Lederer, author of 65 books and a longtime Union-Tribune language columnist, explores "sustainable humans," the power of words, and keeping the human in AI.  Lederer discusses leadership, lifelong learning, and how vibrant elders, literacy, and local theater strengthen our regional economy and culture.  A bout Spotlight and Cloudcast Media   "Spotlight On The Community" is the longest runn...

Carlos Stance, Founder and Owner of Bowlegged BBQ, and Jordan Stance, the BBQ's pitmaster, discuss building a family-run "safe haven" restaurant that turns customers into friends and community into family. They share how faith, quality, and purpose-led entrepreneurship drive customer loyalty.  Carlos and Jordan chat about their emerging boot business. A bout Spotlight and Cloudcast Media   "Spotli...

Shannon Ratliff, Board Vice President of Suncoast Market Co-op, discusses building a community-owned grocery store in Imperial Beach to deliver healthy, affordable food options. She shares how cooperative business models, local farms, and impact-driven fundraising can strengthen the regional economy and inspire executive leadership.  A bout Spotlight and Cloudcast Media   "Spotlight On The Communi...

Fiona Chatwin, Artistic and Executive Director of Villa Musica, shares how a "home for music" is expanding access to quality music education from Sorrento Valley to its long-waiting second location in East County.  Chatwin discusses Musical Biographies, "healing through the arts," and how corporate and civic leaders can partner to support seniors, families, and emerging talent.  A bout Spotlight a...

Sean McClondon, Founder and CEO of the Sister Cities Project, and Leslie Bridges, Volunteer and Chief Impact Officer, discuss building an ecosystem that connects affluent and underserved neighborhoods to drive racial equity, economic mobility, and generational wealth in San Diego. They share stories of cross-community partnerships, workforce development and support for Black women entrepreneurs th...

Richard Tassiello, President and Founder of Retirement Strategies Group, chats about "retirement made simple," behavioral mindset shifts, and Roth IRA strategies that can build true lifestyle security. Tassiello emphasizes how one should "pay yourself first" when it comes to saving for retirement and the importance of getting into a mindset of beginning to save for the future at a young age.   A b...

Shane Stamm'ler Adamson, Founder and Host of Voices of Impact, and Jim Yang, a Voices of Impact Co‑Host and Scriptwriter, discuss how student‑driven storytelling is bridging the gap between education and impact through powerful global youth stories. Adamson and Yang note how emerging leaders, social impact innovators, and future changemakers are using podcasts to elevate community voices and inspi...

Deacon Jim Vargas, President and CEO of Father Joe's Villages (FJV), and Deacon John Roberts, Chaplaincy and Wellness Program Manager, discuss innovative homelessness solutions, mind‑body‑spirit wellness and the power of FJV's more than 6,000 volunteers. Vargas and Roberts explore how executives can align corporate philanthropy, workforce housing, and community partnerships to create measurable so...

Chris Cate, President & CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Jimena Villaseñor-Martinez, the Chamber's Business Programs Manager, discuss championing businesses, empowering leaders, and driving a thriving regional economy. They explore small business resiliency, cross‑border collaboration, and how executives can plug into the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem and leadership...

Diana Cervera, Community Engagement and Programs Manager at Media Arts Center San Diego, talks about how the upcoming San Diego Latino Film Festival, the Digital Gym Cinema, and media literacy programs create a pipeline for underrepresented voices and future leaders. Cervera is bullish on how strategic support of the arts, youth education and inclusive storytelling elevates community impact. A bou...

Jim Davis, Executive Director of the North County Philanthropy Council, and Neville Billimoria, the council’s Board President, discuss nonprofit leadership, collaboration, volunteerism, and the council’s Impact Leadership Accelerator. They explore San Diego Gives, the Day of Giving, board governance, community engagement, and how executives can strengthen organizational impact through partnerships...

Tom Felkner, Executive Director of the San Diego Museum Council, is joined by Brian “Beef” Drechsler, Executive Director of the Navy SEAL Museum, and Alethea Arguilez, Executive Director of First 5 San Diego, to chat about Museum Month, leadership, service, and expanding access for 70+ museums across the region. This episode explores nonprofit leadership, early childhood education, and public-priv...

David King, Executive Director of the San Diego–Imperial Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HAIDTA), discusses regional drug trafficking, the fentanyl crisis, and overdose prevention. King chats about actionable strategies on public safety, community partnerships, law-enforcement coordination, drug demand reduction, school prevention, and federal-local funding to protect employees, famil...

Jason Nitz, Dean of School Culture at Cristo Rey San Diego High School, joins Cristo Rey student interns to share how their innovative work-study model creates a diverse talent pipeline for local businesses. Discover how executives can partner with Cristo Rey to advance corporate social responsibility, workforce development, and community impact through real-world student jobs. Listen Where You Li...