The third annual (Doing) Business For Good Summit on September 25, 2024 brought together 180+ local professionals for a day of connection, learning, and inspiration. Thanks to your energy, enthusiasm, and expertise, it was the best one yet!
We look forward to continuing the conversations at upcoming Business For Good San Diego events.
Note: photos are free to use for non-commercial applications. Please credit Chris Wojdak Photography and Natalie Chiles Photography.
From our general session and lunch to the Summit workshops and exclusive after party, you’ll learn, be inspired, and have ample opportunities to get to know like-minded San Diego business owners.
Summit workshops feature panels of seasoned, purpose-driven business owners, policymakers, and nonprofit/public sector leaders sharing their perspectives on the topics most relevant to local professionals.
New this year, “Office Hours” will give you small group access to subject matter experts in fields like policymaking, marketing, accounting, and more!
The (Doing) Business For Good Summit offers a rare, centralized space to get to know 150+ values-aligned professionals from San Diego-based organizations and public agencies. From running a purpose-driven business to learning how to advocate for local policies that benefit everyone in our community, there’s something for everyone!
Here’s what attendees had to say about the 2023 Summit:
“Incredible panelists. I learned so much that I didn’t know I was wanting to soak up.”
“I felt like there were a lot of takeaways from the sessions which you don’t always get at conferences. I feel like I actually learned things which was great.”
“Very warm and friendly experience. Appreciate all the thoughtfulness that exuded throughout the experience.”
“The networking is the best part of the Summit. Met many innovative and amazing people with great stories about their journey to be where they are now.”
The (Doing) Business For Good Summit
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
9:00am-4:15pm
Bread & Salt
1955 Julian Avenue
San Diego, CA 92113
9:00 am
9:30 am
Brick Room
Keynote Performance
Gill Sotu, Poet, Playwright, and Spoken Word Artist
Welcome Remarks
Mikey Knab & Sarah Beauchemin, Business For Good
10:00 am
Brick Room
What is the responsibility of business owners in a given community? You’ll hear from education, real estate, community development, and local business owners about the impact businesses can have on community investment, cultural understanding, displacement, and preserving culture.
Moderator:
Gill Sotu, Poet, Playwright, and Spoken Word Artist
Panelists:
Chris Ramirez, MAAC
Rosa Olascoaga Vidal, City Heights CDC
David Favela, Border X Brewing & UCSD Talent Foundry
Megan Groth, Places We Love: San Diego Tijuana
10:45 am
11:15 am
Brick Room
Are you someone who would welcome the chance to help others make a difference in San Diego? If so, this Netweaving breakout is for you! Unlike traditional networking where each attendee is on their own and can easily get lost in the crowd, this event helps you share your greatest needs as an individual, organization, or business in a supportive environment. The concept is called “netweaving,” and you’ll learn exactly how it works in this session.
Moderator:
Alexis Piotrowski, Orbit Leadership
Athenaeum Art Gallery
Athenaeum Classroom
Do you know where your energy comes from, how power is distributed, and how we’re charged? This panel of clean energy experts will break down where energy is sourced and how we can be smarter consumers.
Moderator:
Cindy Lin, Hey! Social Good
Panelists:
Colin Santulli, San Diego Community Power
Jason Anderson, Cleantech San Diego
Matthew Vasilakis, Building Electrification Institute
12:15 pm
Brick Room
1:30 pm
Athenaeum Art Gallery
There’s an association for most industries, but did you know there are also associations for BIPOC, LGBTQI and many other cultural groups? Hear from the leaders of Hispanic, Asian, Black and Equality business associations about the benefits of joining and how can you get the most out of them.
Moderators:
Mikey Knab, Business For Good San Diego
Panelists:
Donna DeBerry, San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce
Jason Paguio, Asian Business Association
Samantha Scholl, BBB Pacific Southwest & SDEBA
Roberto Alcantar, San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Athenaeum Classroom
AI is making a lot of headlines but how will it affect the day to day business of small and medium organizations? This panel of experts will share why AI is here to stay, how to navigate the AI hype, and how you should take advantage of AI for your business, even as it’s changing by the minute.
Moderator:
Uma Karmarkar, UC San Diego Rady School of Management
Panelists:
Cindy Lin, Hey! Social Good
Karen Boyd, San Diego Regional Policy Innovation Center
Cheryl K Goodman, FindGood.tech
2:30 pm
2:45 pm
Athenaeum Art Gallery
There are over 10,000 nonprofits in San Diego, but what is the true impact they’re making? Is it better to achieve nonprofit-based results through hybrid or for-profit businesses? This discussion features nonprofit founders and executive directors about their experience in the nonprofit sector.
Moderator:
Sam Mazzeo, Better APC
Panelists:
Brandon Stepp, David’s Harp Foundation
Felena Hanson, Hera Hub
Sarah Beckman, Outside the Lens
Athenaeum Classroom
In the wake of the Writers Guild and SAG/AFTRA strikes, as well as emerging technology that threatens to change everything about how journalism and media are valued, we’ll talk openly about what this means for the people who provide us with information and entertainment.
Moderator:
Sid Voorakkara, Port of San Diego
Panelists:
Chris Cantore, Yew Media
Wes Whitton, Motion Picture Editor
Nathan Harrenstein, IATSE
3:45 pm
4:00 pm
Brick Room
Closing Remarks
Steph Johnson, Voices of Our City
4:30 – 6:30 pm
Mujeres Brew House
1983 Julian Avenue
San Diego, CA 92113
After Party ticket includes two (2) 12-oz. beers or non-alcoholic drinks and a flight of three (3) tacos
Lunch is included with your Summit Pass. Exclusive After Party includes (2) 12-oz. beers or non-alcoholic drinks and a flight of three (3) tacos.
Early Bird (Limited time only: June 17 – July 1)
Business For Good Members:
Non Members:
Regular (July 2 – September 20*)
Business For Good Members:
Non Members:
*Last day to purchase tickets online
Day of Event: September 25 (if not sold out)
Business for Good Members:
Non Members:
Group Pricing
Signing up 5+ people from your organization? Just add all 5 to the cart and your 10% off discount will be automatically applied!
Interested in becoming a sponsor and building awareness for your organization in San Diego? Explore our sponsorship opportunities or contact our team to learn more.
Show off your goods or services
Do you offer goods or services that would benefit local San Diego professionals, businesses, agencies, or nonprofits? Sign up for an Exhibitor tabling opportunity to talk to hundreds of your target customers in an intimate setting.
Be a part of our (Doing) Business For Good volunteer team and we’ll cover your Summit pass cost.* We need volunteers to help us greet, check in attendees, register walk-ins, and more. Volunteers are more than welcome to attend sessions, network, and seek out office hours either before or after your scheduled volunteer shift.
If you are interested, sign up at our (Doing) Business For Good Summit Volunteer Form!
*After Party ticket not included; can be purchased for $45.