Innovating for Impact: Building Coalitions for a Thriving Community
Innovating for Impact: Building Coalitions for a Thriving Community
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Program ends by 4:30 PM)
Location: Studio One Eleven, 151 E 5th St, Long Beach, CA 90802
Join us for a powerful afternoon of dialogue, connection, and collaboration at Innovating for Impact: Building Coalitions for a Thriving Community, a high-impact gathering designed to explore how innovation and entrepreneurship can create lasting change.
Presented in partnership with Sunstone Management, the Long Beach Economic Partnership, the Long Beach Accelerator, Wonder Women Tech, and the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at CSULB, this convening brings together local leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to share ideas, build cross-sector partnerships, and activate solutions for our communities.
The event will feature a dynamic panel moderated by Lisa Mae Brunson, visionary founder and changemaker of Wonder Women Tech, and will include special guest Vandinika Shukla from the Obama Foundation, John Kiesler, from Sunstone Management, and other Long Beach leaders. Through engaging discussion, Q&A, and interactive networking, attendees will gain insights into how to leverage innovation to tackle local and global challenges.
Jayro Sandovol, Economic Development Manager, Sunstone Management
Moderator: Lisa Mae Brunson, CEO & Founder, Wonder Women Tech and 2024-2025 Obama Foundation Leader USA
Panelist: Vandinka Shukla, Deputy Director of Global Programs, Obama Foundation
Panelist: John Keisler, CEO and Managing Partner, Sunstone Management
Panelist: Wade Martin, Professor & Director, Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, CSULB
Panelist: Vivian Shimoyama, Chair of the Board of Directors, Long Beach Accelerator
Panelist: Tanya Raukko, Chief Investment Strategy Officer, Renzei Holdings
Whether you’re a city leader, startup founder, community advocate, or aspiring innovator—this event is your opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired.