Dr. Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Superintendent for the Escondido Union School District, discusses his award-winning district’s strong response to the challenges of COVID-19. Dr. Rankins-Ibarra details the district’s quick pivot to virtual teaching in the Spring and its recent pivot to a hybrid model. The school district will be honored at the annual Classroom of the Future Foundation’s virtual Innovation in Education event with the Inspire Award for the Central Elementary School’s Beebots & Cubelets program.

Andrea Luoni, CEO and Founder of RateCraft, discusses her company’s nearly 25 years of helping businesses and organizations save millions of dollars in insurance premiums. One such organization that has benefitted from RateCraft’s unprecedented success is TERI (Training, Education, Resource, Institute), a venerable, 40-year San Diego County organization whose mission is to change the way the world sees, helps, and empowers individuals with special needs. Joe Michalowski, Chief Financial Officer for TERI, talks about the myriad services offered TERI.

Jose A. Cruz, CEO of the Barrio Logan College Institute (BLCI), chats about BLCI’s focus on breaking the cycle of poverty in local underserved communities by providing a pathway for young students to reach higher education. BLCI annually serves between 750-1,000 students, starting in 3rd grade through college graduation and beyond. Cruz highlights the resiliency of his students and staff through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dan Dubois, Managing Partner for Retirement DNA, talks about his organization’s mission of helping companies prepare their employees for retirement. Dubois underscores the need to develop financial literacy skills as well as highlighting what people need to know about the new CalSavers program.

Annie Buckley, Director and Professor at the SDSU School of Art & Design, is joined by SDSU’s Vice President for Faculty and Staff diversity, Jennifer Imazeki, and Student Assistant/Diversity & Inclusion Committee member, Sabrina Davidson to discuss the critical need to embrace and support inclusivity and diversity on college campuses. Imazeki describes specific changes the School of Art & Design is making and how those changes can be adapted campus-wide. Davidson talks about her representative mural projects and the plans the Diversity & Inclusivity Committee have to reach local middle school children.

Author Sherrie Miranda discusses her new book, Crimes & Impunity in New Orleans, a novel about the shady happenings in 1980s New Orleans. Sherrie recounts her own experiences in New Orleans and describes why it was important for her to write this novel.

Rebecca Jones, Mayor of the City of San Marcos, returns with her colleague Rick Rungaitis, CEO of the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, to chat about the strong partnership between the City of San Marcos and its Chamber of Commerce; new developments in the city; its vibrant Farmer’s Market; and the impact COVID-19 on local businesses.

David Marshall, Principal at Heritage Architecture & Planning, and Board Chair of Friends of Balboa Park, is joined by Executive Director of Friends of Balboa Park, John Bolthouse, to talk about the the architectural history of Balboa Park architecture; the growing deferred maintenance challenges of the park; and recent restoration work completed by Friends.

Yolanda Serra Martinez, a military spouse, passionately praises the “over-the-top” services and personal outreach she received from USO San Diego when her family with three young daughters moved from Houston to San Diego. Serra Martinez, who works in the public health space, is joined by Ashley Camac, Executive Director of USO San Diego, to elaborate on the plethora programs offered by the nearly 70-year-old organization.