San Diego Women’s Week 2020
Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt (Photo by Azusa Takano)
Note: San Diego Women’s Week has been rescheduled to August 2020
The Gift of Forgiveness
Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt to Present at San Diego Women’s Week
By Samantha Edwards of ZCode Magazines
Photo by Azusa Takano
New York Times best-selling author and animal advocate Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt will join the roster of speakers at North San Diego Business Chamber’s San Diego Women’s Week Leadership Conference on Friday, March 20.
Katherine will discuss her newest book, The Gift of Forgiveness: Inspiring Stories from Those Who Have Overcome the Unforgivable, a collection of interview-style stories from those who have learned to let go of resentment and find peace, intertwined with Katherine’s own personal insights. “Forgiveness is a topic that everyone will have to deal with at some point in their lives. None of us can get through life without being faced with the opportunity to forgive,” Katherine said. “My hope with this book is that through reading these compelling stories, people are able to apply some of the findings to their own journey. I hope that it will provide a better understanding of the journey and relationship with forgiveness, and bring a sense of healing.”
Katherine is part of a dynamic line-up of influential leaders and executive women panelists participating in this year’s event. “To me, being a leader means making a difference and helping others,” she said. “That is really what I try to do with all of my books. My hope is that someone reads this book and feels less alone in their journey to forgive and that people realize that forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves more than anything.”
San Diego Women’s Week will take place March 16-20, with three events throughout the week. Opening Night will be held on Monday, March 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Petco Corporate in Rancho Bernardo, and includes a keynote speaker, panel discussion, book exchange, vendors, appetizers and drinks, and networking. Women and Wine will take place on Wednesday, March 18 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Bernardo Winery, featuring wine and food tasting and unique shopping opportunities. The Leadership Conference will be held on Friday, March 20 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Town and Country Resort and Convention Center, and includes morning coffee and pastries, keynote speakers, panel discussions, swag bags, vendor village, lunch, and more.
For more information and tickets visit www.sdwomensweek.com.
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San Diego Women’s Week Continues to Empower and Inspire after 10 years
Reach Beyond Your Comfort Zone and Ignite Your Powerful Voice
San Diego Women’s Week, celebrating 11 years of inspiring, empowering and connecting women with a week of leadership events for everyone of all ages and professions. Everyone is invited to join us for networking, keynote speakers, panel discussions and more, all wrapped around creative solutions to everyday issues affecting women in the workplace and in their daily lives.
Since its launch in 2010, San Diego Women’s Week has become one of San Diego’s biggest events to showcase the work of female leaders and trailblazers from around the country. Past participants have included Deepak Chopra
- Elizabeth Smart
- Deepak Chopra
- Padma Lakshmi
- Mariel Hemingway
- Marlee Matlin
- Sally Krawcheck
- Arianna Huffington
- Kim Coles
- Amy Cuddy
- Gretchen Rubin
Each year a large number of men attend different events throughout the week as well and share, it is because they are supporting their female leaders in the workforce.
This year’s speakers are bright, articulate, diverse and their messages are empowering and inspiring to everyone. The 2020 San Diego Women’s Week is focused on leadership, with speakers that will be sharing their journeys and success.
Individuals such as Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt , Daymond John, Linda Cureton, Ed Smart, Tina Hay, Natasha Watley, Romi Neustadt, Christine Van Loo and others are preparing to speak at the eleventh annual San Diego Women’s Week between March 16 -20 at various venues and events around the region. Panelists will be sharing lessons and journey’s that have shaped their lives and careers.
San Diego Women’s Week is celebrating its 11th year and is produced by North San Diego Business Chamber, which considers women important in our regions changing business environment. “Our focus for the week is to connect others, share stories, and empower them to reach higher” says Debra Rosen, President and CEO of North San Diego Business Chamber. “More companies than ever have implemented women’s leadership programs as part of their diversity and women’s leadership initiatives.
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Leadership Conference Speakers include:
Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt – The Gift of Forgiveness
The Gift of Forgiveness is one of the most difficult challenges in life–learning to forgive. Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt will share with us what we can learn from others who have struggled with forgiveness, some still struggling, and others who have been able to forgive what might seem truly unforgivable. She will offer a fresh and inspiring perspective on the lessons she has learned from others journeys and of course her own challenges and path to forgiveness in her own life.
Katherine’s message is a perfect blend of personal insights, powerful quotations, and hard-won wisdom for those seeking a way to live with greater acceptance, grace, and peace.
Daymond John – Powershift: Transform Any Situation, Close Any Deal and Achieve Any Outcome
The bestselling author and star of ABC’s Shark Tank reveals how to master the three prongs of influence: reputation, negotiation, and relationships.
Have you ever wanted to make a big change in your life but weren’t sure where to start? In Powershift, Daymond John shares the answer. To take control of your destiny and drive the change you want to see, you need to lay the groundwork so you’re prepared to seize every opportunity that comes your way.
Whether you’re an innovator working to turn your big idea into a reality, a professional looking to land a major promotion, or a busy parent trying to find more time to focus on what’s really important to you, Daymond shows you how to shift your power and energy towards positive change.
Linda Cureton – Former CIO NASA
Linda Cureton, former CIO of NASA, certainly knows a bit about inclusion and what types of leadership behaviors help to foster an inclusive environment. Working and succeeding in a male-dominated industry, Linda has been credited with her leadership as being respected by many of her male counterparts at NASA.
Linda led one of the best IT organizations in government and while CIO, she served as principal advisor to the NASA Administrator, and provided insight and technology leadership to some of the most brilliant scientists and engineers in the world.
Ed Smart – Father of Elizabeth Smart
Ed Smart, the father of Elizabeth Smart, believes he has experienced two miracles in his life.
The first, he said, was when his daughter Elizabeth Smart was found alive nine months after she was kidnapped in Utah in 2002.
He had always held out hope that she would return home and feels unbelievably blessed that she did.
The second miracle, he said, is less obvious — though still powerful — and something he never thought would happen. He sometimes worries that he doesn’t deserve it after the first one. But it came earlier this year when, at 64, Smart decided it was time to come out as gay and was warmly accepted by his neighbors, friends and family.
Ed will share with us the power of forgiveness and using your voice to stand up for yourself.
Natasha Watley – Life After Gold
The foundation of every action you will take, every goal will you achieve, and every ounce of potential you bring to your success is believing in yourself.
When 85% of the population, that’s 4 out of every 5 of you, according to research, lack self-esteem though, the question becomes “How do you believe in yourself when you don’t?”
Learn 3 powerful strategies to transcend into peak confidence, conquer self-doubt, and achieve world class success.
Romi Neustadt – You Can Have it All, Just not at the Same Time
Ambitious career goals, a thriving marriage, flourishing kids, a tidy home, and a kick-ass bod—it’s no wonder so many women are overworked, exhausted, and abandoning the dream of “having it all.”
Drawing on her own experience and the wisdom she’s collected from working with corporate execs, working-out-of-home and stay-at-home moms, new college grads, and retired empty nesters, Romi shares the tools and mindset a woman needs to figure out what to focus on, what to let go of (and why), and how to live the life she really wants to live and become the person she really wants to be.
Tina Hay – Napkin Finance, Build Your Wealth in 30 Seconds or Less
Tina Hay is changing the conversation.
Tina started sketching explanations of financial concepts when she was an MBA student at Harvard Business School. What started as a personal learning tool has grown into a broader educational philosophy founded on visual learning.
A handy crash course in personal finance, Napkin Finance is the groundbreaking guide everyone needs to help them manage their money and feel more secure
Christine Van Loo – Rising Above Your Limiting Beliefs
Newly retired Olympian and Game Changer, Natasha Watley, is redefining what her next steps in life will be.
A pivot in her career includes assessing the courage and confidence one has and will share with us the fear and anxiety one undergoes to make big changes that will impact their future.
Natasha believes and talks about always reinventing ourselves, there is no finish line. The only thing holding someone back is their ability to think big and really understand what their purpose it.
Natasha, a true champion who has succeeded at every level she has played, graduated from UCLA and earned her Masters Degree in Sports Business from Saint Leo University.
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Big Changes Come to San Diego Women’s Week 2020
This year’s exciting kick off on Monday, March 20, will be at Petco National Support Headquarters in Rancho Bernardo. The theme this year,Your Next Chapter, will feature keynote speakerRose Schindler, Auschwitz survivorand will include a panel of four women who have pivoted in their careers and lives and lessons learned from those chapters. They will share their journeys, determination to persevere and the outcome of their fierce desire to prevail. Panelists include: Alicia Gwynn, Emily Cathey, Sarah Hassaine and Erica Alfaro.
Monday’s kick off will feature food, wine and beer tastings along with networking and a book exchange. Each attendee will be asked to bring a book that has had an impact on their lives, either personal or professional and write a piece of advice that has served them well over the years. The exchange will include everyone that wants to bring a book, through a fun and interactive activity that will include everyone.
Back by popular demand, Wednesday, March 18, Women and Wine at the Bernardo Winery. Join hundreds of men and women that have come together for camaraderie, wine and food tasting and making new connections. This is a popular evening to catch up with friends and meet new ones.
The evening will include shopping at unique boutiques around the winery.
The grand finale is the Friday Leadership Conference, March 20, held at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center.
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Women’s Week 2020 Featured Keynotes
Monday Night
Rose Schindler
Never Forget That Your Voice Can Have an Impact
There is an instinct that survivors and leaders share, it comes naturally to some and for others, it must be learned and put to practice. Leadership takes perseverance, a visionary and dedicated sense of direction in spite of what some may tell or even direct you. Rose learned the importance of moving forward even if that means changing course when necessary. She also learned the virtue and strength of mutual respect and communication. This country has given us so many blessings, as a nation, we progress on our Individual rights and abilities, and we build upon the memories and lessons learned from where we came.
Friday Leadership Conference – Keynotes
Tina Hay
Napkin Finance: Build Your Wealth in 30 Seconds or Less
Tina Hay is changing the conversation. She started sketching explanations of financial concepts when she was an MBA student at Harvard Business School. What started as a personal learning tool has grown into a broader educational philosophy founded on visual learning.
A fun and handy crash course in personal finance, Napkin Finance is the groundbreaking guide everyone needs to help them manage their money and feel more secure as they work towards retire
Romi Neustadt
You Can Have it All, Just Not at the Same Damn Time
Ambitious career goals, a thriving marriage, flourishing kids, a tidy home, and a kick-ass bod—it’s no wonder so many women are overworked, exhausted, and abandoning the dream of “having it all.”
Drawing on her own experience and the wisdom she’s collected from working with corporate execs, working-out-of-home and stay-at-home moms, new college grads, and retired empty nesters, Romi shares the tools and mindset a woman needs to figure out what to focus on, what to let go of (and why), and how to live the life she really wants to live and become the person she really wants to be.
Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt
The Gift of Forgiveness
The Gift of Forgiveness is one of the most difficult challenges in life–learning to forgive.
Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt will share with us what we can learn from others who have struggled with forgiveness, some still struggling, and others who have been able to forgive what might seem truly unforgivable. She will offer a fresh and inspiring perspective on the lessons she has learned from others journeys and of course her own challenges and path to forgiveness in her own life.
Katherine’s message is a perfect blend of personal insights, powerful quotations, and hard-won wisdom for those seeking a way to live with greater acceptance, grace, and peace.
Christine Van Loo
Transcendence: How to Rise Above Your Limiting Beliefs
The foundation of every action you will take, every goal will you achieve, and every ounce of potential you bring to your success is believing in yourself.
When 85% of the population, that’s 4 out of every 5 of you, according to research, lack self-esteem though, the question becomes “How do you believe in yourself when you don’t?”
Learn 3 powerful strategies to transcend into peak confidence, conquer self-doubt, and achieve world class success.
Natasha Watley
Life After Gold
Newly retired Olympian and Game Changer, Natasha Watley, is redefining what her next steps in life will be.
A pivot in her career includes assessing the courage and confidence one has and will share with us the fear and anxiety one undergoes to make big changes that will impact their future.
Natasha believes and talks about always reinventing ourselves, there is no finish line. The only thing holding someone back is their ability to think big and really understand what their purpose it.
Monday Panelists
Erica Alfaro
Erica Alfaro was born in Fresno, CA, but moved and grew up in Tijuana Mexico. Her parents never had the opportunity to go to school, didn’t know how to read or write but knew the importance of a good education. At 13 years, Erica’s family moved to Oceanside and lived in a small two-bedroom apartment with another family in a community with gang activity and poverty. Teenage pregnancy was common, and at 15 Erica found herself pregnant. She dropped out of High School, moved to Fresno with her son’s father and lived with domestic abuse for many years including having to sleep outside with her 9-month-old child. In the midst of despair, she remembered when she was 13, her mother took her to work with her in the tomato fields during summer vacations. When she told her mom she was tired, her mom’s response was, “This is our life, the only people that have good lives are the ones that have a good education” That is when Erica realized she must make the change and go back to school.
In 2019, Erica received a M.A degree in Education from San Diego State University. To honor her parent’s sacrifices of coming to this country to give her a better life she had her graduation pictures in the field where they worked long hours. Those pictures went viral and her story was shared around the world. A movie is currently being made about her story.
Captain Emily A. Cathey
A native of Statesville, North Carolina, Captain Emily Cathey is a 1999 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and has served in a variety of sea and shore commands.
Cathey’s sea duty assignments include duty on cruisers, carriers, destroyers, patrol boats and littoral combat ships. She is respected by many for being the first female commanding officer aboard USS Independence.
At the encouragement of her mother, Emily went into the academy because she told her that everyone received the same pay, regardless of gender. After attending an all-girl Boarding school Emily had to choose between a regular college experience or the Naval Academy She grew up in a family of public servants.
Emily has Sailed around the world – from San Diego to Mumbai, India; from Norfolk to North Arabian Sea; in the Arabian Gulf; through both Panama and Suez Canals; down and around South America. She is also a Mom, Wife, Sister and Daughter.
Alicia Gwynn
Alicia Gwynn, wife of baseball great and Hall of Famer, Tony Gwynn, is no stranger to community building, philanthropy and empower-ment. She’s carrying on Tony’s legacy by continuing the work that was important to both of them while he was alive, empowering young people to do their best and seek opportunities to grow and become better people.
Praised as one of San Diego’s leading ladies, Dr. Alicia Gwynn, long-standing business owner & philanthropist, community builder, and now recording artist, with the recent release of her new CD, I Am Alicia Gwynn, is blazing a trail of renewed hope, faith, and courage through her music and life story.
Alicia managed her daughters singing career and is now pursuing her own dreams with her own inspirational music. In addition to touring with her music, Alicia has launched her own wine called “Lish”. (Pronounced Leesh) An endearing nickname Tony referred to her by.
She maintains a robust portfolio as President/CEO of Gwynndustries, Inc., a full-service management company, President/CEO for Gwynn Foods, President/CEO for Gwynn Sports, and President of the Tony and Alicia Gwynn Foundation, a charity organization dedicated to bettering the lives of disadvantaged youth.
Sarah Hassaine
Sarah was born in North Africa in Algiers, Algeria and grew up in San Diego. Her summers were spent back in Algeria on the Mediterranean and the travel back and forth at such a young age gave Sarah a global perspective. With her command of both Arabic and French, she gravitated towards international development work. Her first job out of undergrad was working in refugee camps in Lebanon conducting socio-economic living assessments of thousands of Palestinians. After one year of research and advocacy, Sarah moved to Washington DC where she spent 7.5 years in government consulting, diplomacy and international development.
Sarah’s marriage took her to Saudi Arabia in 2013 where she assumed a Director role of an organization focusing on building the skill sets of expatriate women living in the capital Riyadh. Amidst her adjustment to living in one of the conservative cities in the world, she ended up in the hospital sick and sent back to San Diego to recuperate. While away, her husband divorced her behind her back and Sarah was left penny-less, homeless, and identity-less. At the age of 30, Sarah had lost all sense of direction, identity, understanding and purpose. But it was an opportunity to rebuild and rebrand and dig deep into who she was and what she really wanted to do. “The world is your oyster and the sky is the limit,” are the words her mother whispered in her ears daily.
In less than a year, Sarah had moved to Seattle to work at Amazon and then found her way back to San Diego for the first time after 12 years of being away to accept a role with Qualcomm’s Global Inclusion and Diversity team leading engagement efforts. Today, she is a strong advocate for refugees in San Diego and volunteers with different organizations, including Teach and Learn Literacyand the San Diego Tech Women Summit. She also advises and consults with many other national and local nonprofits.
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Friday Panels
Panel – Pivoting in Your Career
- Sandwich Generation / Living in the “In-Between”
- Recognizing Your Worth
- The Courage to Pivot
- Re-imagining (re-inventing) Your Life or Career
- Finding Your Village
Panelists to be announced
Panel – Standing Out and Speaking Up
- Leading on Your Terms
- Compensation and Gender Equity
- Having a Seat at the Table
- Impostor Syndrome
- Leading Together
- Finding Your Authentic Voice
Panelists to be announced
San Diego Women’s Week Events
Monday, March 16:
Opening Night – Your Next Chapter
Petco National Support Center
10850 Via Frontera
San Diego, CA 92127
6 pm – 8:30 pm
Enjoy Food, wine and beer tastings while listening to a powerful keynote, hearing a panel talk about pivoting in their lives and connecting with others.
Wednesday, March 18:
Women and Wine
Bernardo Winery
13330 Paseo Del Verano, San Diego 92128
Attendees will receive:
- Five Wine Tastings
- Food Tasting
- FREE Souvenir Wine Glass
- Wine Bag
- Unique Shopping
- Free Parking
*details subject to change per weather
Friday, March 20:
Leadership Conference
Town and Country Resort and Convention Center
500 Hotel Circle North
San Diego, CA 92108
8 am-4:00 pm
Attendees receive:
- Powerful leadership keynotes and two panel discussions
- Swag Bag with three autographed books by speakers
- Luncheon
- Coffee Bar in the morning
- Dessert Bar in the afternoon
For additional information: www.sdwomensweek.com
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The Chamber Team Behind Women’s Week
Denise Visconti- Littler
Chair of the Board, North San Diego Business Chamber
Debra Rosen, North San Diego Business Chamber
President/CEO
Celebrating 10 Years
Brianna Eltzroth, North San Diego Business Chamber
Chief Operations Officer
Celebrating 13 Years
Anne-Marie Jewel, North San Diego Business Chamber
Events Manager
Celebrating 5 Years
Janelle Lucero, North San Diego Business Chamber
Member Relations Manager, North San Diego Business Chamber
Celebrating 2 Years
Dylan Fisher, North San Diego Business Chamber
Economic Development/Advocacy Specialist
Celebrating 2 Years
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The Strategy Team Behind Women’s Week
Strategy Team Chair
Rebecca Maffei, VP IT Data & Analytics
Petco
Marketing Leaders
Eileen Gaffen, President, Steres Gaffen Media
Kathy Hutchens, Vice President Business Development and Patient Engagement
Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Centers
Logistics Leaders
Erica Hatch, Vice President, HR
Newland Real Estate Group
Jean Loo-Russo, Chief Philanthropy Officer
The Elizabeth Hospice
Team Members
Trish Boaz, Executive Director
San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy
Henriette Burbank, Senior Director Operations
AMN Healthcare
Christina Diaz, Director, Site Experience
Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.
Dr. Douglas Fenner, President
Fenner Consulting Group
Kathryn Fox, Associate
Buchalter
Donyale Henderson
Amanda Hennessey, Founder, Coach, Facilitator
San Diego Public Speaking
Megan Joseph, Business Strategy and Communications
HP, Inc.
Sherry Macias, Global Tech Marketing
Rita McMaken, President
Ritamac, Inc.
Virginia Morrison, Esq., CEO, Co-Founder & Chief Legal Officer
Second Chance Beer Company
Anne Marie Mowatt, Regional Business Development Manager
PRAVA Construction Services, Inc.
Jacqui Pernicano, COO
Junior Achievement
Lisa Peterson, Director
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Jennifer Ramp, Senior Communications Manager
San Diego Gas & Electric
Olga Singer, Co-Owner
Simply Two Design
Angie Swartz, Executive Coach
Life Purpose Advisor
Claudine Van Gonka, Manager, Public Relations
San Diego Blood Bank
Alessandra Wall, Psychologist, Coach, Speaker
Life in Focus
Tracey Whitney, Owner
Whitney Wellness
Meet our selection of San Diego County’s
2019 Men of Influence
Eric Hepfer
Eric Hepfer, as a director of Hines and in charge of Hines’ San Diego office, is building a more livable San Diego. He oversees the company’s innovative Riverwalk project which reimagines 200 acres of San Diego’s Mission Valley. Riverwalk will transform an existing 27-hole golf course into a livable, mixed-use community with a new large public park, residential living, community-oriented retail uses, office space and new mass-transit access. At a time when San Diego faces an enormous shortage of market-rate and affordable housing, the development includes 4,300 apartments, nearly 400 of which will be designated as affordable housing. It also includes 150,000 square feet of neighborhood-serving retail space, including a pharmacy and grocery store, and 1 million square feet of office space along Friars Road and Hotel Circle. Before joining Hines in 2012, Hepfer served five years as a submarine officer, including 3.5 years on sea duty and five strategic deterrent patrols. He is a two-time Navy achievement winner. He is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and the Harvard Business School.
Mike Ford
Mike Ford is the managing director and founding member of PBO Advisory Group (formerly ProBackOffice), one of San Diego’s leading outsourcing and business consulting firms. He holds more than 30 years of management consulting, business advisory and outsourcing experience, and has provided services to over 500 clients throughout the West Coast. He is well-versed in management consulting and has founded numerous finance and accounting consulting start-ups that he has seen through to successful exits (IPO, ESOP and sale) including Temecula-based NBS Government Finance Group, which he sold to the company’s employees through an ESOP arrangement. PBO’s success is largely due to Ford’s vision of creating a company that is built on a team environment. His generous nature and passion for charity led him to mentor PBO’s philanthropic committee PBO Serves. He volunteers at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Lakeside, is a former planning commissioner for the city of La Mesa, former trustee and board member for the Leukemia Society and has been a guest instructor at San Diego State University. He has also co-authored two books: “Brotherhood of the Pigskin: A Fantasy Football Nov,” and “The Blue Bombers: the True Story of the 2009 Little League Champions.”
Gabe P. Wright
Gabe Wright is a natural leader who serves as the co-chair of the Hahn Loeser’s San Diego Litigation Practice Group. He is a member of the firm’s finance and strategic planning committees and leads the firm’s recruiting efforts. His litigation practice is specifically focused on real estate, class-action and commercial matters in which he zealously advocates for his clients. His client base is broad, ranging from commercial real estate developers and commercial property owners to entrepreneurs and renowned comic book publishers. Wright defeated class certification of a California statewide class action alleging violations of the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act against his client. He therefore eliminated any ability for the remaining plaintiff to obtain an injunction against his client that would have had an adverse impact throughout the client’s industry. He actively volunteers and supports Promises2Kids, is a mentor to a Guardian Scholar and a graduate of the Washington & Lee School of Law.
Nathan Schmidt
Nathan Schmidt is one of San Diego’s top marketing executives with over 20 years of financial services and management and marketing experience. He is responsible for strategic planning, marketing, digital channels, product development, business development and community and media relations for San Diego County Credit Union, the 15th largest credit union in the country by assets and largest locally-owned financial institution in San Diego. A cornerstone of Schmidt’s dynamic leadership is an unwavering focus on continually raising the bar on creativity, services, strategy and execution, resulting in exponential growth for SDCCU and impacting the overall credit union movement. His approach to leadership and marketing materializes into an execution that leverages all resources to maximize results and awareness of the SDCCU brand. He spearheaded the creation of a new 3-D light up billboard to further showcase SDCCU’s leading brand and elevate awareness of SDCCU’s auto loan program. Schmidt is SDCCU’s executive vice president for brand strategy and digital channels, holds a B.A degree from Cal State Sacramento and an MBA from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif.
Naveen Waney
Naveen Waney is president and co-owner of Platt/Whitelaw Architects Inc., one of San Diego’s oldest architectural firms. Since its founding in 1955, the firm has focused on promoting sustainability within public and community-facing projects, a strong legacy that Waney continues. He is primarily responsible for the firm’s infrastructure practice, which includes many water and wastewater treatment projects, arguably some of the most important facilities San Diego municipalities operate. He is responsible for several award-winning building designs for treatment plants. One building won the American Public Works Association competition for the best design in California. Waney started with PWA while attending classes at the New School of Architecture, where he graduated as valedictorian of his class. His design work helped Encina Wastewater Facility in Carlsbad win a Concrete Masonry Association of California and Nevada honor award.
Jason Hartley
Jason Hartley is the founding partner of Hartley LLP and active in many professional and community organizations. For over 20 years he has represented plaintiffs in commercial contingency representation, class actions, antitrust, and unfair competition.
Hartley’s clients include many Fortune 500 companies in cases alleging breach of contract, sham patent and antitrust claims. He has served as lead counsel and in senior litigation roles in numerous cases that resulted in some of the largest antitrust settlements ever, netting billions of dollars for plaintiffs.
Hartley is a long-time board member of Balboa Park’s Museum of Man, the Consumer Attorneys of California and the American Association for Justice. His peers have recognized him as a San Diego SuperLawyer for years, he speaks regularly at seminars and serves on the ABA Class Action Institute’s Planning Committee. But perhaps his favorite extracurricular activity is serving as chief of his son’s YMCA Adventure Guides tribe.
Joseph Martinez
Joseph Martinez is a shareholder at Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek practicing in the areas of real estate and business transactions. He has more than 20 years of experience representing real property and business owners, investors and managers as well as developers, landlords, tenants, borrowers and lenders. Fluent in both English and Spanish, he is also the leader of SCMV’s Cross Border practice group, practicing in the areas of inbound U.S./Mexico real estate and business transactions. Martinez is a member of the San Diego Padres Hispanic Community Advisory Council (HCAC), a member of the board of directors for Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, a vice president and member of the board for the Southwestern College Foundation and is active in local professional organizations. He was named one of SD METRO Magazine’s Best Attorneys in 2017. He is a graduate of Harvard University with a degree in economics and holds a Juris Doctor degree from the Harvard School of Law.
Roger Denning
Roger Denning, who leads Fish & Richardson’s office in San Diego, is a nationally recognized trial lawyer specializing in complex litigation, including patent infringement and other technology-related cases. He has tried patent cases to verdict throughout the country, particularly in the patent-heavy dockets in California, Texas, Delaware, as well as the International Trade Commission. Denning also has tried to verdict a number of complex commercial cases, including in the areas of product liability, unfair competition and the False Claims Act. An engineer by training, Denning’s unique background allows him to teach juries and judges about a wide variety of technologies.
Scott Jablow
Scott Jablow, a tax partner at Lavine, Lofgren, Morris & Engelberg, holds more than 25 years of experience in assisting clients with their tax compliance and planning needs. His wide range of experience includes high net-worth individuals, partnerships and closely held corporations. Much of Jablow’s focus is on the taxation of real estate professionals, real estate transactions, like-kind exchanges and tenancy-in-common issues. While Jablow’s expertise may lie in tax planning, his business development skills are also impressive. Not only has he brought a record number of clients to the firm, he also played an instrumental role in LLME’s acquisition of two small accounting firms this past year.
Reginald Jones
Reginald Jones is president and CEO of the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, a nonprofit with a master plan to revitalize 60 acres of land in City Council District 4. Jones steers all efforts fore real estate and economic development and community engagement. Since 2012, Jones has worked daily with culturally diverse residents, organizations, political leaders and private entities to foster understanding of the organization. Previously, Jones developed the Town Center Master Plan to guide redevelopment work, and true to the mission of Jacobs Center, involved 1,300 residents to provide input on the plan and ensure it reflected community interests and needs.
Adam Harris
Adam Harris is the co-founder and CEO of Cloudbeds, a hospitality software company that was launched in 2012 and has since raised over $21 million and acquired two additional companies. To date, he has grown the company to 275 employees in 38 countries and his platform is used by more than 22,000 customers in 152 countries. With Harris at the helm, Cloudbeds has won a variety of awards, such as placing 75th in Inc Magazine’s 5000 fastest growing companies in 2018, being named to Forbes Magazine’s 15 Technology Companies to Watch in 2018, and being named to Hotel Tech Report’s 10 Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech 2018 & 2019.
Jacob Bates
Jacob Bates is chief executive officer of CommonGrounds Workspace, a collaborative office workspace that serves as an accelerating platform for small businesses to grow. In January 2019, Bates raised $140 million in Series A funding for expansion and growth plans. And in the first half of this year, he increased staff by 220 percent across the United States with just over 100 employees. Earlier this year CommonGrounds Workspace was named 2019 Business of the Year for Beat the Odds from the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. The firm transacted over 1,000 commercial real estate properties in more than 70 countries.
Yehudi “Gaf” Gaffen
Yehudi “Gaf” Gaffen founded Gafcon Inc. in 1987, a globally respected program/construction management consulting firm. As CEO, Gaffen has worked with owners on hundreds of projects including the $12 billion Shanghai Zizhu Purple Bay master plan; the $135 million AltaSea project at the Port of Los Angeles; the $100 million redevelopment of the Los Angeles Forum; and $46.25 billion in California education bond programs. Gaffen’s ultimate vision is to turn Gafcon over to its employees. He has had many companies approach him to purchase Gafcon, but has always declined, saying, “It would be like giving my kids up for adoption.” His son, Josh Gaffen, has been a significant leader in the organization for the past 10 years.
Ryan Hill
Ryan Hill is owner of Hill Construction Co., recognized as one of the top luxury residential builders on the West Coast. The company has been featured in numerous magazines and has a large and growing collection of industry awards. This year, its project, “The Verge House,” a Coronado custom home, received top honors as the Best Custom Home under 4,000 square feet at the 2019 national God Nugget Awards. Hill’s outstanding vision and leadership have grown the family company to its top position in the industry today.
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Top Marketers
Teresa Warren
Teresa Warren loves the diversity of the work that she handles as founder and president of TW2, a marketing PR, content development and video consulting firm. A marketing and PR professional for nearly 40 years, she has “seen it all and done most of it” when it comes to strategies and tactics for promoting businesses. As an early adopter of marketing in the legal industry, she helped set many of the standards still used today. She started TW2 in 2002 after she discovered that none of the consultants she came in contact with knew any more than she did about marketing and PR. And in some instances, even less! In 2019 the San Diego Press Club honored Warren with the Andy Mace Award for Outstanding Contributions to Public Relations.
Jennifer Whitelaw
Jennifer Whitelaw parlayed an early career in film and television into one in public relations and marketing while maintaining her storytelling spark. Over her 20-year marketing career, she has claimed a Telly award and even an Emmy award. After eight years running Whitelaw Marketing, she merged her firm into TW2 Marketing. She now leads most of TW2’s commercial real estate accounts and also provides leadership and support for many of the firm’s finance, law and nonprofit clients. She contributes on the Women’s Leadership Initiative committee of the Urban Land Institute. Through her children’s schools, she volunteers at special events and with classroom activities.
Julianne Beason
Julianne Beason is the senior marketing manager for Irvine Company Office Properties, a leading marketing star in the commercial real estate industry. In the last 18 months, Irvine Company acquired over 1 million square feet of office space in Del Mar Heights and La Jolla UTC, and Julianne got to work building the company’s brand locally. Julianne and her team created a submarket logo for Irvine Company and its newly acquired real estate projects, engaged in targeted marketing campaigns and held a broker kick-off event at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.
William Lopez
William Lopez is founder and CEO of Alternative Strategies, a marketing communications firm he opened in San Diego in 2000. His client list, now numbering over 50, includes iconic fooding destinations as Rise and Shine Restaurant Group’s nine Breakfast Republic locations and Downtown’s barleymash. With backgrounds in marketing, public relations, advertising and communications, Lopez has expanded his expertise at his own accord, making him an all-encompassing resource with a bounty of well-rounded industry knowledge at his fingertips. Alternative Strategies’ staff of 25 recognizes Lopez as a well-rounded, fair and respected leader.
