A Day to Remember

The 4th Annual (Doing) Business For Good Summit, which was held on March 4, 2026, at the University of San Diego (USD) Kroc School, can be summed up in two words: inspiring community. 

This year, over 250 business owners, nonprofit leaders, public sector partners, and advocates from across San Diego came together around a shared vision: using business as a tool for meaningful impact—for people, the planet, and a more equitable local economy.  

If you were there, relive the highlights here. 

If you missed it, here’s what made the day so special—and why it matters for the future of San Diego.

A Different Kind of Business Event  

From the moment guests walked in, it was clear this wasn’t a typical conference. Instead of surface-level networking, the energy was warm, curious, and grounded in shared values.  

B Local San Diego Board Chair, Abraham Chen captured it well: “At the Business For Good Summit, you really get a lot of integrity and openness with people. I think that allows us to get back to being human and being able to create the type of communities that we want in an unexpected way.”  

The focus of the day wasn’t on polished pitches. It was on real conversations and real relationships—business owners rediscovering their “why,” public sector partners listening to local entrepreneurs, and nonprofits sharing what lasting change looks like on the ground. That authenticity turned the Summit into something more than a series of sessions; it felt like a living community.  

Collaboration Across Sectors  

A recurring theme was clear: no single sector can solve complex community challenges alone. As panelist and USD professor, Karen Henken, shared, “Education is part of it. Government is part of it. Business has to take a much bigger part of that because it is business that drives our economy. And so how we all come together to create change in a collaborative fashion—that’s the work.”  

Throughout keynotes, panels, and breakouts, participants saw that work in action:  

• Entrepreneurs and city officials discussing equitable economic development
• Nonprofits and businesses exploring meaningful, long-term partnerships 
• Students and professionals talking about careers that combine purpose and prosperity

The conversations went beyond theory. People dug into how to share resources, design inclusive hiring practices, influence policy, and measure success in ways that center both impact and financial health.  

Business for People, Planet, and Profit  

The Summit drew people who reject the idea that you must choose between doing good and doing well. The room was full of leaders who see profit, people, and planet as interconnected.  

Business For Good Member Engagement Committee member and Summit volunteer, Chaz Fahrner said, “If you are someone that is interested in being around people that are positive and want to work in an environment or be part of a community that is not only about profits but also about the planet and the social community, I would say this is probably your place to be.”  

Speakers shared how they:  

• Create living-wage jobs and more inclusive workplaces  
• Build products and services that minimize environmental harm  
• Use their influence to push for policies that benefit underserved communities

Again and again, one core message emerged: Doing business for good isn’t a trend or a marketing tactic—it is a practical, resilient way to build a healthier local economy where more San Diegans can thrive.  

Stories, Connection, and Belonging  

While the programming offered plenty of expertise, what stuck with many attendees were the stories. Founders who started with very little and built impact-driven companies. Leaders who are reshaping systems that weren’t designed for their communities. People turning deeply held values into organizational cultures rooted in equity and sustainability.  

Being in the room made many feel less alone in their questions: How do I grow without losing my values? How do I make my impact visible? Where do I find others who care about this too?  

Networking felt less like swapping business cards and more like building a support system. People left with new collaborators, mentors, and friends, alongside a sense that their work is part of a much larger movement in San Diego.  

What Comes Next  

The Summit was a powerful moment, but its real impact will unfold in the months ahead as ideas turn into action. It confirmed a few important truths:  

• There is a growing community of local business owners, professionals, and organizations committed to using their work for good
• Cross-sector collaboration is essential if we want lasting, systems-level change  
• Hope becomes real when we act—when we show up, partner up, and align our day-to-day decisions with our values

If the Summit sparked something in you, there are simple ways to keep the momentum going:  

• Follow up with someone you met and explore one concrete way to collaborate  
• Bring your favorite insight back to your team or community  
• Consider joining Business For Good to stay plugged into advocacy, education, and year-round support

The 4th Annual (Doing) Business For Good Summit showed what’s possible when purpose-driven people come together with honesty, courage, and care. The day was filled with ideas, but more importantly, it was filled with people ready to keep doing the hard, hopeful work of building a more just and sustainable San Diego.  Whether you were in the room this year or are just now discovering us, there is a place for you in this movement to keep doing business for good.