Spotlight on the Community

Anthony Elliott, a police officer who was shot on duty and founder of Bulletproof Tony, is joined by his wife Laura Elliott, co-founder and keynote speaker. They share a powerful roadmap for resilience, recovery, and building a “bulletproof” mindset that prepares leaders for unexpected crisis and trauma. They discuss life diversification, failure as a strategic advantage, and how strong family, cu...

Riley Tejcek, Captain and Officer of Recruiting and Sports at MCRD, discusses leadership development, elite team culture, and transitioning from Division I athlete to Marine officer and Team USA bobsled pilot. She shares insights on resilience, performance under pressure, and building high-performance teams in uncertain environments. A powerful conversation for executives focused on talent, grit,...

Michael Hall, Captain and Assistant Chief of Staff for Religious Ministries at MCRD, and Natalie Bakan, Commander and Officer in Charge of Dental Detachment, discuss spiritual fitness, “a ministry of presence,” and building the “total Marine.” They share how world-class dental readiness and inner strength from higher purpose drive resilience, leadership, and mission readiness—lessons executives ca...

Natalie Lamb, Lieutenant Colonel and Commanding Officer of First Recruit Training Battalion at MCRD, discusses servant leadership, recruiting, and “making Marines” through honor, courage, and commitment. She shares insights on building resilient teams, developing emerging leaders, and transforming young men and women into purpose-driven citizens. A powerful conversation for executives focused on l...

Rick Huenefeld, President of the MCRD San Diego Museum Foundation, and Jim Gruny, Community Liaison for MCRD, discuss how a “hidden jewel” Marine Corps museum connects shared history, leadership, and citizenship. Discover how San Diego executives can partner with this living textbook to support veterans, education, and community impact. Listen Where You Live! A bout Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  ...

David Hyman, Brigadier General and Commanding General of MCRD and the Western Recruiting Region, shares how the Marine Corps builds resilient, purpose‑driven leaders and strengthens the local workforce. Listen to insights on supporting military‑connected families, veteran transition, and community partnerships that return quality citizens to our region. Listen Where You Live! A bout Spotlight and...

Dr. Sunny Cooke, President of MiraCosta College, chats about the college's mission to provide diverse educational opportunities, that include attaining a Bachelor's degree. Cooke highlights the college's dual enrollment program, which allows high school students to take college courses for free.  Cooke shouts out the MiraCosta Promise, offering two years of free education to full-time students, wh...

Donnie Dee, President and CEO of the San Diego Rescue Mission, discusses the organization's 70-year history of helping the homeless. The organization has evolved from a soup kitchen to a rehabilitation program, addressing the root causes of homelessness. The Rescue Mission serves 3,289 people annually.  Dee discusses challenges faced by the organization, as well as the importance of instilling a s...

Mark Greenberg, Executive Director of End of Life California, and Grant Affleck, a volunteer for the organization, discuss how the organization supports end-of-life choices, including medical aid in dying.  Currently, 11 states, including California, have legal end-of-life options. Greenberg and Affleck talk about the end of life eligibility requirements and processes. A bout Spotlight and Cloudca...

Steve Breen, Director of School Communications at Cathedral Catholic High School, discusses his transition from being a Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist at The San Diego Union Tribune to the Director of School Communications at Cathedral Catholic High School. Breen chats about his role in leading the school's branding, social media and website initiatives.  Breen also touches on the plu...

Connor Boyd, Technical Director at Trinity Theatre Company, and Jayda Heald, a Teen Leadership Participant, discuss their roles and experiences. Eddie Lukovic, Director of "Rabbit Hole," shares insights on the play's themes of grief and loss. The play, featuring a cast of five, runs from February 6-22, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.. Boyd and Heald...

Pamela Narbona Jerez, Executive Director of the San Diego Early Music Society (SDEMS), is joined by Khalayla Thompson, the organization's Communications Coordinator, to discuss the Society's mission to present high-quality early music (medieval, Renaissance, Baroque) in small, intimate venues. They talk about the 2026 lineup of performances and emphasize the unique sound and improvisation of early...

Dr. Christina Connett Brophy, President and CEO of the Maritime Museum of San Diego, talks about the museum's focus on San Diego's maritime heritage and its role in ocean conservation. Brophy highlights the museum's educational programs, including overnight stays for schoolchildren on historic vessels such as The Star of India.  Brophy discusses the museum's collaboration with local organizations...

Andy Strasberg, a baseball historian and author, discusses his latest book, Strasberg's Baseball Klediment Tales .  Strasberg shares stories about his favorite baseball memorabilia, that includes the bat that New York Yankees outfielder Roger Maris used to hit his 61st home run in 1961, breaking the longstanding record of 60 by Babe Ruth. He recounts his first baseball game experience at the Polo...

Eugenia Welch, President and CEO of Alzheimer's San Diego, and Ann Owens, a community advisory committee member, talk about the organization's support of families affected by Alzheimer's through education, support, and resources. Welch and Owens emphasize the importance of early detection and clinical trials. Alzheimer's San Diego offers programs such as the ALZ Companions Respite and ALZ Ally pro...

Saba Danford, Partner Engagement Manager for AVID Center, discusses the unprecedented success of AVID to prepare students for college and beyond as AVID high seniors realize a 95% college and university acceptance rate.  Danford is joined by two AVID students, Emily Kimoto and Gabe Kay, who describe how their AVID experiences have prepared them to explore career goals and opportunities.  Danford,...

Alex White, Co-Founder and Executive Director of ProduceGood, is joined by ProduceGood Board Member Susan Kobara to talk about the organization's mission to deliver the equivalent of 500,000 annual meals to those facing food insecurity through its more than 1,500 volunteers recovering excess produce from orchards, farms, Farmer's Markets and grocers. The volunteers distribute the excess food to mo...

Douglas Morton, CEO of the San Diego Blood Bank, discusses the importance of building a consistent, year-round blood donation program, highlighting the need for diverse donors. Morton explains the Blood Bank's 75-year mission, the Guardian Circles program for consistent donors, and the use of technology such as AI and machine learning for donor recruitment and precision blood matching.   About Spo...

Kandace Crystal, Director of Donna Orbits the Moon at Scripps Ranch Theater, and Susan Clausen, the play's sole performer, chat about the one-woman show that will run from January 25 to February 15.  The play is about a Minnesota housewife dealing with a significant life event. Cyrstal and Clausen discuss the play's themes of empathy, humor, and the challenges of portraying a Midwestern accent. Th...

Dr. Wes Lundburg, President of San Diego Miramar College, is joined by Rene McKee, Board President of the Miramar College Foundation, and Lisa Cole-Jones, Director of Development and Entrepreneurship for the Foundation, to talk about the college and foundation's missions, programs and services. About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media   "Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podc...

Dr. Julie Hayden, CEO of the East County Transitional Learning Center (ECTLC), talks about the faith-based organization's mission to help break the cycle of homelessness, addiction and poverty.  Dr. Hayden is joined by Tyrone Moore, Intake Coordinator, and Jon Roberdes, Lead Campus Advisor, to discuss their journey with ECTLC. About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media   "Spotlight On The Community" is t...

Dr. Rebecca Celes Mendiola, CEO of Collective Impact Solutions, is joined by Dr. Matt Doyle, Superintendent of the Vista Unified School District; Fred Buggs, CEO of Synergy Youth & Communities, Inc.; and NBA veterans Jud Buechler and Olden Polynice to talk about an inclusive basketball camp and conference organized by Collective Impact Solutions, Vista Unified School District, and Synergy Yout...

Falon Leszczynski, Vice President of Operations for Home of Guiding Hands (HGH), and Jill Thomas, the organization's Marketing Manager, talk about HGH's serving of more than 5,000 clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities on an annual basi.  Leszczynski and Thomas note how HGH  collaborates with many organizations on advocacy and community support. HGH upcoming events include the 16...

The Face Foundation, a 501(c)(3) animal charity founded in 2006, provides financial grants for emergency and critical care to pet owners unable to afford veterinary costs. Led by Patricia Mendez-Damron, the foundation has assisted over 16,000 struggling pet owners, including Teresa Gelegonya, whose cat Max received $1,600 in emergency care and $8,500 in surgery costs that were covered by the found...

Dr. Gary Weitzman, President and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society (SDHS), discusses the organization's adoption trial program, which allows potential adopters to test-drive animals for up to two weeks. The society is currently operating at 135% capacity for dogs, with over 700 dogs in care. Weitzman talks about SDHS's wildlife care and education programs. He also emphasizes the need for spaying...