Dale Fleming is a seasoned public sector professional with over 30 years of experience in health and social services administration, including 20 years in executive roles with the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency. A trailblazer in trauma-informed policy and systems integration, Dale led initiatives such as the pioneering partnership between the County and 2-1-1 San Diego, enabling streamlined access to health care and nutrition assistance by phone. She also served as executive director of the Community Action Partnership, fostering economic empowerment through innovative federal, state, and local programs. Passionate about diversity, inclusion, and community empowerment, Dale continues her impactful work as an associate with CSD Marketing, LLC, supporting kid-centric educational projects, and as a board member of the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Choir San Diego. An accomplished vocalist, she has toured internationally and performed with local artists, blending her professional and creative passions to serve her community.

Dr. Klein is a board-certified family physician and strategic advisor specializing in employee health and wellbeing programs, as well as digital therapeutic and genomics initiatives. From 2011 to 2015, she led Qualcomm’s health services strategy, creating award-winning wellness programs, designing state-of-the-art onsite health centers, and launching clinics in the U.S. and India. She also managed contracts for executive health, telehealth, and clinical services, and contributed to wireless health innovation as chair of the Qualcomm Life Advisory Council. A former Commissioner of the Vitality Institute, Dr. Klein has a rich background in public health, including developing medical homes for children with asthma in NYC and serving as Dukes County’s first Associate Commissioner for Health. A Harvard Medical School graduate and Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, she blends clinical expertise with a passion for innovative health solutions to improve lives.

Dr. Rodney G. Hood is a renowned expert in health disparities, medical history and racism, health policy, and cultural competency in healthcare. He serves as vice chairman of the National Medical Association’s Cobb/NMA Institute, promoting wellness and addressing health disparities and racism in medicine. As president and CEO of MultiCultural IPA, he leads efforts to improve quality of life and eliminate ethnic and racial health disparities. A past president of the National Medical Association, Dr. Hood has long been an advocate for African American physicians and the medically underserved. An honors graduate of Northeastern University School of Pharmacy and UC San Diego School of Medicine, he completed his internal medicine residency at UCSD, where he is an assistant clinical professor of medicine.

Atul Patel is the senior vice president and corporate treasurer at PriceSmart, a warehouse club operator. He has over 22 years of International Treasury Management Experience. Prior to joining PriceSmart, he served as Assistant Treasurer for a private investment management firm in Bahrain and Geneva. Patel spent seven years with Imperial Chemical Industries in London, managing foreign exchange and interest rate risk, day-to-day treasury operations, as well as managing a portfolio of $2 billion in surplus funds. Patel is a graduate of the University of Wales, United Kingdom.

Dwight Smith is a dedicated community advocate and legal professional with extensive experience in employment law, corporate governance, and nonprofit management. As Executive Vice President and General Counsel for the Neighborhood House Association, he oversees legal affairs, contract administration, quality assurance, and human resources for the organization. Dwight’s career includes roles as Associate General Counsel for the San Diego Convention Center Corporation and Senior Corporate Counsel for The PMI Group, as well as Corporate Counsel for the American Medical Association. A graduate of DePaul University and the University of Notre Dame Law School, Dwight serves on the boards of Community Health Improvement Partners (CHIP) and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute 21st Century Council Advisory Committee. Recognized for his contributions, he received the San Diego Business Journal’s General Counsel Award in the nonprofit category in 2013.

Alethea Arguilez, M.A. is the Executive Director of First 5 San Diego, the region’s primary organization for promoting the health and well-being of children 0-5 years of age and their families. Alethea has dedicated the past 20 years to the field of early childhood education, starting her journey in the field as an infant and toddler Master Teacher. Her early experience working to create and support pathways for families facing adversity to achieve self-sufficiency in direct services helped form the foundation for her work. Most recently, she was the Director of Child Development for the Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee where her responsibilities included oversight of contracts governing regulations for early childhood programs and working with key community stakeholders. She has been dedicated to program administration for the birth to five community delivering Early Head Start, Head Start and the California Department of Education Preschool Program services, and served as a board member of the California Head Start Association. She currently serves on the San Diego County Child Care and Development Planning Council as co-chair of the public policy committee.

James Beaubeaux is a dedicated healthcare advocate with extensive leadership experience in advancing health and wellness in San Diego. From 2005 to 2016, he served as CFO/COO for the San Diego County Medical Society, contributing to numerous organizations and initiatives. As Board Chair for the Health Services Advisory Board, he advised the County Board of Supervisors on healthcare issues, and he held leadership roles with San Diegans for Healthcare Coverage, Community Health Improvement Partners (CHIP), and Mental Health America San Diego. James also contributed to public health efforts through the GERM Commission, Emergency Medicine Oversight Commission, and the San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative. In retirement, he continues to serve the healthcare community as a member of AHF’s Program, Audit, and Finance committees, demonstrating his enduring commitment to improving community health.

Elizabeth Dreicer is a humanitarian, environmentalist, entrepreneur, and advocate dedicated to building systems and solutions that improve lives and foster societal change. She leads Kuity, a data science and product development studio, and has cofounded ventures like Consuli and Nobil. A Trustee of the Alliance Healthcare Foundation, Elizabeth contributes to key committees, including Governance and Impact Investing. She is Co-Director of E2’s San Diego chapter, affiliated with the NRDC, and is active in Singularity University and stakeholder capitalism initiatives. Her extensive board service includes 211 San Diego and Just in Time for Foster Youth. A graduate of Pennsylvania State University and executive programs at Singularity University, Elizabeth combines expertise in leadership, innovation, and equity with a passion for lifelong learning and transformational impact.

Julianne R. Howell, Ph.D., is the Senior Health Policy Advisor for the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), where she contributes to the development and implementation of programs under the Accountable Care Act and advises on health and human services strategy. With a decade of experience in Washington, DC, Dr. Howell was a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellow, serving on Senator John Kerry’s staff and working with the Senate Finance and Small Business Committees. She has also served as a Senior Advisor at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT and as a consultant to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Prior to her federal roles, she led strategic planning for UC San Diego’s Health Sciences. Dr. Howell holds degrees from Harvard/Radcliffe College, MIT, and the Harvard Kennedy School, including a Ph.D. in Public Policy.

Robert B. McCray is a seasoned healthcare industry leader with experience as a lawyer, CEO, investor, and investment banker. He is Chair Elect of the HIMSS Enterprise Board of Directors and serves on the boards of MacroHealth, Alliance Healthcare Foundation (past Chair), and PCHAlliance. A co-founder and President of the Wireless-Life Sciences Alliance (WLSA), Rob previously held leadership roles at TripleTree, LLC, HealthCap, Inc., Digital On-Demand, Inc., and Caremark Physician Resources, among others. Earlier in his career, he practiced healthcare law and co-founded a national healthcare law firm. Rob has also served on various boards and commissions, including Midmark Corporation and the American Lung Association. He holds a Bachelor of Science from UC San Diego and a Juris Doctor from UC Davis School of Law.

Joe W. Ramsdell, M.D., is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of General Internal Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, and a practicing general internist and pulmonologist specializing in chronic disease management, particularly airways diseases like asthma and COPD. He is the Director of the UCSD Clinical Trials Center and Airway Research Center, which conducts research funded by federal, foundation, and industry grants. Dr. Ramsdell is involved in national networks such as the Asthma Clinical Research Center and the UCSD COPDGene™ Study. He has a longstanding interest in general internal medicine, chronic disease management, healthcare delivery, and is a leader in health services research and medical education at UCSD and the San Diego Veterans Administration Health Services.

Killu Sanborn, Ph.D., Managing Director at Oxford Finance, has over 25 years of experience of supporting life science and medical technology innovation as a venture debt lender, venture equity investor, banker, executive, entrepreneur and researcher. Her previous leadership positions include Managing Director of Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Senior VP of Life Science Venture Lending at Comerica Bank, Principal/Fund Manager with IngleWood Ventures, Director of Technology Commercialization at Stratagene, and first employee, VP of Business Development of Phenogenex. Over the years, Killu has advised entrepreneurial boards and management teams on operational, financial and strategic matters, and has and served on various local nonprofit boards and committees. Her Ph.D. in Molecular Biology is from Cornell University/Sloan Kettering Institute in New York City.

Jeffrey Willmann is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for innovative business models in healthcare and technology, focused on serving vulnerable populations. As Senior Vice President of Innovation at Med Data Quest, he leads efforts to deploy AI in automating patient care processes, particularly in community clinics. Jeffrey also serves as a Board Trustee and Audit Chair for Champions for Health. His career includes executive roles at organizations such as Sharp Health Plan, Qualitas Medical Management, and Family Choice of New York. A co-founder of Urban Angels, he is dedicated to nourishing those in need. Jeffrey holds a Master’s in Health Services Administration from Arizona State University and a B.A. from Concordia College.

Roque Barros, Jr. has over 30 years of experience in nonprofit and foundation management, specializing in community building in both urban and rural settings. As the first Executive Director of the Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation (IVWF), he leads efforts to amplify the voice of underrepresented and vulnerable populations in the Imperial Valley. Previously, Roque directed the Ford Institute for Community Building at The Ford Family Foundation, helping communities develop and implement comprehensive visions. He also led community-building initiatives at the Jacobs Family Foundation, including the development of Market Creek Plaza in Southeastern San Diego, and served as Executive Director of Los Niños, focusing on U.S./Mexico community development projects. Roque has designed programs and training to empower communities in addressing their needs and building sustainable solutions.

Lisa Cuestas is the Chief Executive Officer of Casa Familiar, a nonprofit community-based organization in San Ysidro, CA, where she has worked for 20 years. With nearly 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Lisa is a dedicated Latina leader from the U.S./Mexico border region. Raised with the values of community and uplifting others, she now leads Casa Familiar in ensuring San Ysidro and South Bay residents have a key role in the development and sustainability of their communities. Under her leadership, Casa Familiar secured $10 million in New Markets Tax Credit Financing for the Living Rooms at the Border project and developed over 1,300 affordable housing units. Lisa holds a degree in Human Services and Management from the University of Phoenix.

Deborah (Deb) M. Higgins is the President of Higgins Capital Management, Inc., with over 37 years of experience in institutional fixed income trading and investment management. She serves as the company’s Chief Investment Strategist and Principal Fixed Income Trader, overseeing operations and resources. Deb is a recognized expert in managing taxpayer funds for local governments and was appointed by the California State Treasurer to serve on the California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission’s Technical Advisory Committee, which created the Local Agency Investment Guidelines. She also serves on the Investment Advisory Committee for the City of San Diego and the California Municipal Treasurer’s Association Investment Policy Certification Committee. Deb has held leadership roles on nonprofit boards, including the Center for Community Solutions and the National Association of Women Business Owners, and is a founding member of the Miracle Circle’s Auxiliary for Miracle Babies. Higgins Capital is a certified minority woman-owned business.

James M. Howell, CFA, CTP, is the Chief Financial Officer of the San Diego Foundation. Previously, he served as Chief Investment Officer and Director of Finance at The Scripps Research Institute, overseeing investments, treasury, risk management, tax, and audit activities for over $1.6 billion in assets. Prior to joining TSRI, Mr. Howell spent 17 years at United Parcel Service (UPS), where he held various roles, including Director of Capital Markets and UPS Retirement Plan, Alternative Investment Officer. He also led treasury and acquisitions strategy at UPS Capital Corporation and helped arrange over $3 billion in public debt and structured equipment financings. Mr. Howell is a Certified Treasury Professional, Chartered Financial Analyst, and holds degrees in Industrial Systems Engineering from Georgia Tech and an MBA from Georgia State University. He serves on the Investment Advisory Committee of Loma Linda University.

Kim Davis King is an accomplished professional in prospecting, managing and mentoring technology investments, including software, wireless and networking companies. She is results-focused and has effectively served on 15 boards with a successful track record of liquidated portfolio companies. This experience combined with her focus on software, infrastructure, healthcare technology, consumer, wireless and media-based technologies has been a strong basis from which to build and complement teams. Currently, Kim is a Partner with San Diego’s Launch Factory, a venture studio for which she helps entrepreneurs launch new businesses from the ground up. Kim is an active angel investments and advisor for OmniSync, Good Face Project, Founders First, FoyR, OnShore Technology Group, VinSocial and WOWMI. She is also a lecturer at SDSU, UCSD Rady Business School, Director of the StartR Programs and incorporating real-world experience, business models and student mentorship.

Shannon Nelson is a Vice President in Investment Stewardship at BlackRock, Inc., where she engages with over 600 companies in the Technology and Telecommunications sectors to promote sound governance and resilient business models. Prior to BlackRock, she worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as a Treasury Markets Trader/Analyst and also built relationships with large institutional investors at BlackRock early in her career. Shannon holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.S. in Economics from Duke University. She is an advocate for her community, serving on the boards of Community-Word Project and Duke University’s Young Alumni Development Council, and co-chairing BlackRock’s Black Professional Network for the Americas region and Duke’s reunion committees.

Sydney Thomas is the Founder and General Partner of Symphonic Capital – a venture capital firm that invests in companies closing access gaps around health and wealth for overlooked communities. The launch of her fund was recently covered by TechCrunch. Within its first year of launch, the firm has already been recognized for its work. Symphonic Capital is a proud member of the inaugural Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Capitalism Power100 List (the “DEIC Power100”).

Symphonic Capital’s investment thesis follows Sydney’s expertise. She has built expertise in this thesis through her investing and policy work over the past two decades. Her investing strategy has yielded companies valued at $100M+. Sydney is a proven fund builder and investor. Prior to launching Symphonic, she joined one of Silicon Valley’s first pre-seed funds and scaled it from a Solo Operating GP with 10 investments to a 3-person team with 400+ investments and $200M+ in AUM.

Prior to her work in tech, she served in the Bloomberg Administration in NYC. Over the course of her tenure, she drafted federal legislation, negotiated a multi-million-dollar contract, and received a full-ride scholarship to her business school of choice.

She serves on the Board of Trustees of Oakland Museum of California – an art museum dedicated to justice and beauty in the heart of Oakland, a graduate of the prestigious Kauffman Fellows Program and a Venture Partner at The House Fund – a $100M+ fund created to invest in UC Berkeley backed startups. She is also the founder of the Black Women in VC List – a list she started that sparked change in the Venture Capital ecosystem when she realized she was often the only Black woman in these spaces.

Sydney graduated from University of California Berkeley with her MBA and Duke University with her BA.

Adolfo Ventura serves as the Vice President and Chief Programs and Operations Officer at MAAC, a social service organization with over 500 staff across 40 sites in San Diego County and an annual budget exceeding $60 million. He oversees a wide range of programs, including a community charter high school, economic development, health services, IT, and labor union negotiations. Adolfo’s expertise spans human resources, property and asset management, real estate development, and nonprofit management. He also serves on the boards of LEAD San Diego and Media Arts Center San Diego, championing leadership development and youth access to filmmaking. In 2017, he was appointed to the San Diego City-County Reinvestment Task Force, advocating for affordable housing and economic equity. A strategic thinker and relationship-builder, Adolfo is dedicated to strengthening under-invested communities through education, economic development, and leadership pathways.

Alex Waters is the Executive Director of The Program Labs, a nonprofit that helps foundations and organizations design and operate entrepreneurship and workforce training programs. Previously, he was the Director of Economic Development and Innovation at the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, where he launched San Diego’s first diversity-focused business accelerator, securing over $3 million in investment for small business owners. Alex also led the Collaboratory for Downtown Innovation, a partnership between the City of San Diego, UC San Diego, and the Downtown San Diego Partnership. With nearly a decade in Education Technology at 2U and experience teaching business and leadership at the University of San Diego, Alex has also served as a mentor for Techstars, an innovation coach, and a board member for the SDSU Research Foundation and San Diego Neighborhood House Association. He holds a BA and MA in Philosophy from the University of Maryland and San Diego State University, respectively.