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Business For Good San Diego

Summit Schedule

Time

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Check-In

Kroc School Garden of the Sky

Time

9:00 AM – 10:45 AM

Opening + Plenary: Building a Future for Good in San Diego Through Business

The opening session sets the tone for the Summit, bringing together local leaders to explore how San Diego’s business community can drive positive change. This panel will highlight the power of purpose-driven businesses and community action in creating a more equitable, sustainable future for our region.

Speakers

Karen Henken
Karen Henken
Sid Voorakkara
Sid Voorakkara
Loretta Turner
Loretta Turner
Sam Mazzeo
Sam Mazzeo

Theater

Time

10:45 AM – 11:15 AM

Break

Garden of the Sky

Time

Room A

Room B

Room C

Time

11:15 AM -12:15 PM

Room A

Women Building Responsible AI: Technology for People & Planet

As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms our world, how do we ensure it serves humanity rather than harms it? This panel brings together women leaders in tech to explore building more responsible, human-centered AI. Each speaker will share their perspective on ethical AI development, followed by a collaborative discussion on moving San Diego forward with technology that prioritizes environmental sustainability and social good.

Speakers

Jarazet Altamirano
Jarazet Altamirano
Karen Boyd
Karen Boyd
Cindy J Lin
Cindy J Lin
Leila Naderi, PHD
Leila Naderi, PHD

Room B

Understanding B Corp Certification & When It’s for You

Curious about B Corp certification but not sure if it’s right for your business? This session demystifies the B Corp journey, helping you understand what it takes, who it’s for, and why it matters. Learn about the time, energy, and resources required, and discover whether B Corp certification aligns with your values and business goals—whether that’s today, next year or many years away.

Speakers

Abraham Chen
Abraham Chen
Laura Brenner
Laura Brenner
Maria Herrera
Maria Herrera
Sarah Payne
Sarah Payne

Room C

Netweaving: Connect & Network with Purpose & Presence

Step into a different kind of networking—one built on authenticity, curiosity, and community care. Through gentle facilitation and meaningful conversation prompts, professionals, students, visionaries, and community members connect in genuine, low-pressure ways. You don’t need to be an expert networker (or even an extrovert!) to discover connections that inspire collaboration, empathy, and positive impact. Come as you are. Leave feeling seen, supported, and connected.

Speaker

Alexis Piotrowski
Alexis Piotrowski

Time

12:15 PM – 1:30 PM

Lunch

Garden of the Sky

Time

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Room A

Move & Reset: Energizing Workshop To Regenerate You

Shake off the afternoon slump with this energizing workshop series. Experience brief, engaging sessions in improv, dance, and mindful movement practices. Each of the two 25 minute workshops offers a different approach to reconnecting with your body, reducing stress, and finding creative flow. Come ready to play, move, and reset for the rest of your Summit experience.

Speakers

Alexis Osuna
Alexis Osuna
Emily Silva Hockstra
Emily Silva Hockstra

Room B

Activate Your Voice & Influence: Crafting Public Comment for Policy Change

Ready to move from inspiration to action? This hands-on workshop will equip you with the practical tools to advocate effectively at public hearings and use your business or expertise to influence policy decisions.

Learn from Business For Good’s Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs, Erica and Mikey, and BFG’s proven track record in advancing impactful policies — including support for the city’s hospitality worker minimum wage increase and styrofoam ban, the county’s development of a Know Your Rights (KYR) training, and creating a homelessness and KYR toolkit for business owners.

Whether you’re a student, resident, worker, or business owner, you’ll leave this session with the confidence and skills to use your voice strategically at public hearings—even if you’ve never considered yourself an activist.

Speakers

Erica Castillo
Erica Castillo
Mikey Knab
Mikey Knab

Room C

Workplace Culture Workshop for Safe, Inclusive & Thriving Teams

Choose from four distinct approaches to building better workplace cultures through this interactive workshop format. You’ll get the chance to rotate through two stations for 30-minutes each, focusing on workplace wellness, mindfulness practices, HR as a force for good, and creating psychologically safe environments. One Spanish-language station is available.

Speakers

Jessica Denise Dickson
Jessica Denise Dickson
Jessie Towne Cardenas
Jessie Towne Cardenas
Denitza Colores
Denitza Colores
Brian Westpoint
Brian Westpoint

Time

2:30 PM – 2:50 PM

Break

Garden of the Sky

Time

2:50 PM – 3:50 PM

Room A

The Blue Nexus Between Biodiversity, Food & Climate

Discover how seemingly separate environmental efforts are deeply interconnected. This panel explores the relationship between landscape biodiversity, sustainable seafood, and climate action—from how your garden choices affect ocean health through runoff, to the science innovations protecting our food systems. Hear from practitioners and organizers making real environmental impact in San Diego.

Speakers

Katie ODonnell
Katie ODonnell
Erika Rodriguez
Erika Rodriguez
Andrea Doonan
Andrea Doonan
Danielle Bates
Danielle Bates

Room B

Cultivating Leadership For Care & Profit

What does it take to lead with purpose in today’s business landscape? This moderated panel brings together coaches and consultants who specialize in helping leaders align their values with their business practices. Explore strategies for building companies that prioritize impact alongside profit.

Speakers

R.M. Michaële Antoine
R.M. Michaële Antoine
Kolby Goodman
Kolby Goodman
Sabine Gedeon
Sabine Gedeon
Kelly Chewning
Kelly Chewning

Room C

Netweaving: Connect & Network with Purpose & Presence

Step into a different kind of networking—one built on authenticity, curiosity, and community care. Through gentle facilitation and meaningful conversation prompts, professionals, students, visionaries, and community members connect in genuine, low-pressure ways. You don’t need to be an expert networker (or even an extrovert!) to discover connections that inspire collaboration, empathy, and positive impact. Come as you are. Leave feeling seen, supported, and connected.

Speaker

Alexis Piotrowski
Alexis Piotrowski

Time

3:50 PM – 4:10 PM

Break

Garden of the Sky

Time

4:10 PM – 4:50 PM

Keynote: Business for Good Isn’t a Brand. It’s an Architecture.

Keynote Speaker

Paula A. Cordeiro
Paula A. Cordeiro

Theater

Time

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

After Party

Garden of the Sea

Thank you to our sponsors

USD SPS logo
Endeavor Bank
Hey Social Good
San Diego Community Power
port of san diego
B Local San Diego
Hale Productions
Natalie Chiles Photography
The Holyfield

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