Panels & Speakers

Keynote: "Blueprints for a Better Future: The SDFC Story of Community and Change"

Tom Penn, CEO, San Diego FC Tom Penn is CEO of San Diego FC, leading the launch of MLS's newest club. Over two decades in pro sports, business strategy, and community development. Co-founded LAFC (2014) as President/Co-Owner; 11 years as NBA exec including Portland Trail Blazers (VP Basketball Ops/Asst GM) and Memphis Grizzlies (Asst GM/legal counsel).

Session description: San Diego FC's CEO shares the strategic vision and community-first philosophy driving the club, including pathways for local talent, infrastructure investment, and inclusivity — how a modern sports org integrates business success with civic engagement.

Women's Connection and Breakfast: "Leading With San Diego Style"

Sponsored by Hibernia Executive Partners

Meredith Walsh — Panelist, CEO, Sun Bum 20+ years in finance/ops leadership across consumer goods and lifestyle brands. Prior roles at SC Johnson Lifestyle Brands (Method, Mrs. Meyer's), Sun Products Corp, Mars Pet Care. CPA, degrees from Wake Forest and LSU. Outdoors enthusiast; dog named Gumbo; from Baton Rouge, LA.

Karen Jordan — Moderator, Founder, Hibernia Executive Partners Career from public accounting through corporate finance to CFO/senior leadership roles at companies up to $7B valuation. 2019 San Diego Business Journal CFO of the Year. Now a fractional CFO through Hibernia Executive Partners.

Session description: A morning of connection, leadership, and San Diego lifestyle — centered on empowering women but open to all. Meredith Walsh shares her career journey building Sun Bum.

Breakout One: "California: Business Friend or Foe?"

Sponsored by Procopio

Dr. Nikia Clarke — Panelist, Chief Strategy Officer, San Diego Regional EDC; Executive Director, World Trade Center San Diego. 20 years in global/local economic development (academic, private, nonprofit). Former National Investment Advisory Council appointee; founder of OUCAN; professor at UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy. BA Loyola Marymount, MPhil Cambridge, PhD Oxford.

Laura Garrett — Panelist, SVP Global HR, TaylorMade (since 2015; with company since 2002). TaylorMade named #8 on Newsweek's Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplaces (2025). EDC board member since 2016, Co-Chair of EDC's HR Forum. BA Economics, Kenyon College; MBA, Stanford GSB.

Andy Laats — Panelist, CEO and Chair of the Board, Nixon, Inc. (co-founded Encinitas, CA, 1997). BS Mechanical Engineering, Cornell. Former Product Manager at Burton Snowboards; MBA Stanford GSB (wrote Nixon's original business plan). Lectures at Stanford GSB. Serves on UC San Diego Camp Kesem advisory board; American Cancer Society CEOs Against Cancer (SD chapter); Cornell Swimming and Diving Alumni Board.

Gina Miller — Moderator, Partner, Procopio. Represents employers in labor/employment law — litigation defense and counseling, wage/hour class actions, discrimination/wrongful termination/retaliation cases, employee handbooks and policy drafting.

Session description: A candid discussion moving past generalized narratives about California's business climate — data and real-world perspective on the true cost of doing business, impact of local/state policy, and competitive advantages (talent, capital, market access) San Diego offers.

Breakout Two: "Cali Strong - Building a San Diego Athletic Brand"

Sponsored by Barnes & Thornburg

Jennifer Echeverria — Panelist, Co-founder and Chairperson, Cali Strong. Architect of the "I Am CALI Strong" campaign (900+ organic celebrity endorsements). Hands-on with product/design/sourcing; selected for Stanford GSB's Latino Entrepreneur Leadership Program.

Jim Stroesser — Panelist, Co-Founder and CEO, Cali Strong. 40+ years as branding/product/sales exec (Nike, Converse, Oakley, Quiksilver, LA Gear, Pony, Adio, Bob Marley Footwear). Led Converse turnaround ($98M to $305M sale to Nike in 29 months, 2400% return); part of exec team that grew Oakley from $231M–$429M before its $2.1B sale to Luxottica.

Anthony Arnold — Moderator, Partner & Private Equity Co-Chair, Barnes & Thornburg. Advises on corporate, finance, strategic and investment matters across software/hardware tech, biotech, aerospace/defense, industrials, financial services, real estate, and sports/media/entertainment.

Session description: Jim and Jennifer share how they built Cali Strong from a grassroots company to an industry force — brand identity through community impact, organic support from 750+ athletes/celebrities (including Bill Walton and Andre Reed).

Breakout Three: "How SDSI Has Helped Support the Growth of Over 150 San Diego Lifestyle Companies"

Sponsored by SDSI

Krystal Gillis — Panelist, Founder & CEO, Tighties. Created the patented Tighties Strapping System™, a neuromuscular activation platform for strength, alignment, and pain reduction.

Bryan Pate — Panelist, CEO, PT Motion Works, Inc. Former Marine Corps Officer, federal judge clerk, McKinsey consultant; co-founder/CEO of ElliptiGO; CEO of GIBBON North America. Named inventor on 12+ patents. BS Stanford, JD Columbia Law.

Bob Rief — Moderator, Executive Director, San Diego Sport Innovators (SDSI). 40-year veteran of the Sports and Active Lifestyle industry — former President of Nike Golf (signed Tiger Woods), CEO of Reef and Sanuk Footwear, exec roles at Merrell and Callaway Golf.

Session description: A panel on founders who leveraged SDSI's Walton Innovation Lab Accelerator Program to scale from prototype to profitable enterprise — Bryan Pate (ElliptiGO) and Krystal Gillis (Tighties) share how the accelerator helped them overcome funding and scaling challenges.