On Thursday, August 22nd, we continued our Critical Conversations series by diving into the crucial topic of early childhood development. The event brought together a diverse group of experts, community leaders, and advocates to discuss how early childhood experiences profoundly shape our society's future. Our panel of distinguished speakers featured First 5 President and CEO Kim Goll, Family Ambassador Benjamin Juarez, Share Our Selves Pediatrician Dr. Nazanin Sanaei, La Habra Collective Executive Director Scott Miller, and PNC Bank Vice President and Client & Community Relations Director Denise Scott. They shared valuable insights into the critical roles of early childhood education, health, and family support systems. The discussion emphasized our collective responsibility in nurturing the next generation. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our title sponsors, UCI and UCI Health, for their continued support. We also want to give a big thank you to our presenting sponsors, PNC Bank and First 5 OC, for helping us bring this program to life. Additionally, we express our sincerest appreciation to our promotional sponsor, Orange County Department of Education, and our community sponsor, Orange County United Way. Visit the First 5 website to view the presentation on the impacts of early childhood development here: https://first5oc.org/oc-forum-early-childhood-is-everyones-business-luncheon/

In a special collaboration with OC World, be a part of this televised experience, broadcasted on KLCS PBS, led by our guest moderator, Lizz Mishreki (OCBC), and our esteemed panel of media experts as they discuss the generational shift in the media industry and its impact on the ways Orange County consumes media. From the obstacles to the vast opportunities, viewers will gain insight into the changing media landscape and the role online platforms are playing in shaping the future of how we consume media. Featured Speakers Lizz Mishreki - Vice President of Communications, OCBC (Moderator) Gustavo Arellano - Columnist, Los Angeles Times Ashley Alvarado - Vice President of Community Engagement & Strategic Initiatives LAist Todd Harmonson - Senior Editor, OC Register Rick Reiff - Editor at Large, OC Business Journal Visit the link below for more on this topic covered by OC World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rENYuQNrZVA

Led by our panel of impactful young leaders, join the conversation as they explore the pivotal role of emerging leaders in shaping the future of Orange County. These influential voices delve into their journeys as rising leaders, sharing triumphs and trials as they seek to drive change. Beyond empowering the next generation of leaders, the program will be a treasure trove of insights for established leaders interested in identifying and cultivating future leadership talent in their organizations. Featured Speakers Amanda Walsh, Vice President of Government Affairs, OCBC - Moderator Kelsey Brewer, Vice President of Business Development, Jamboree Housing Corporation Joshua Gonzalez, Director of Operations, Northgate Markets Kim B. Nguyen-Penaloza, Councilmember, City of Garden Grove

On Friday, March 29th, OC Forum hosted our latest luncheon program, Critical Conversations: Transforming OC, Part 1, at its new official home: The Hyatt Regency, Irvine. This multi-program series kicked off with a discussion surrounding the reinvention of the Santa Ana Bristol Retail Corridor. Related Bristol is a visionary $3 billion mixed-use development in the heart of Orange County that will become a future model for smart, sustainable urban growth in the sixth largest county in America. The conversation gave attendees a special look at the ideas, initiatives, and people who are reimagining how we will live, work, and connect in the decades to come. The Related California team presented their unprecedented blueprint for this 41-acre urban village in South Santa Ana, followed by a panel discussion about the project's regional significance and impact on how cities will evolve and redevelop to meet the opportunities and challenges of 21st-century Orange County. Featured Speakers Steven Oh, Executive Vice President, Development, Related Bristol - Opening Presentation Phoebe Yee, Executive Vice President, Design, Related Bristol - Opening Presentation Vikki Vargas - Moderator Bill Witte, Chairman and CEO, Related Bristol - Panel Gino Canori, President, Related Bristol - Panel Richard Green, Director and Chair, USC Lusk Center for Real Estate - Panel

Join us for the first of 2024’s Critical Conversations focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI): The good, the bad, and the ugly. Is AI the savior we’ve been waiting for, or is it a serious threat? Or something in between? Be a part of the discussion with our distinguished panel of AI experts as we discuss the implications of this emerging technology and how it can be utilized for the betterment of Orange County. Guest Speakers Include: Sarah Catz - Institute of Transportation Studies UCI (moderator) Tom Andriola - Vice Chancellor, Information Technology and Data; Chief Digital Officer for UCI Dawn Chmielewski - U.S. Entertainment Business Correspondent for Reuters Nathan Coulombe - Solutions Architect for Impact Networking Title Sponsors: UCI & UCI Health

Take a deep dive into Orange County's current housing policy crisis and its impact on the community. Following the insightful discussions of the Community Indicators Report Luncheon, OC Forum invites you to tune in to the conversation with our guest moderator Steve Churm, and our distinguished panel of housing experts as they address the current challenges and explore solutions that can alleviate the housing crisis impacting Orange County. Guest Speakers Include: Steve Churm - Churm|360 (Moderator) Jeff Montejano - Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) Alexa Washburn - National Core Tom Baine - Landsea Homes Title Sponsors: UCI & UCI Health Sponsored By: OC Realtors & National CORE Event Partner: Urban Land Institute, IE/OC

Tune in to our recent sold-out luncheon, a collaboration with the Orange County Business Council (OCBC), where we unveil the 2023 - 2024 Orange County Community Indicators Report. Dr. Wallace Walrod (OCBC) delivers an insightful presentation, unraveling key findings about Orange County, including key findings on poverty, housing, and health. Guided by moderator Rick Reiff (Orange County Business Journal), our esteemed panel, featuring Orange County leaders Jeff Ball (OCBC), Nate Shinagawa (UCI Health), Taryn Palumbo (OC Grantmakers), and Gregory Scott(Community Action Partnership, OC), dive into pivotal issues, offering diverse perspectives and solutions. From illuminating the complexities of the current housing crisis to shedding light on potential avenues for systemic improvement, this program provides a rich tapestry of knowledge into Orange County's community indicators. To learn more about results of the 2023 - 2024 Community Indicators Report, visit the link below: https://ocbc.org/research/community-indicators-project-2/ Title Sponsors: UCI & UCI Health Presenting Event Sponsor: Bank of America Premium Event Sponsors: Orange County's United Way Orange County Community Foundation

Embark on an empowering journey with OC Forum's Women in Leadership event! Experience the inspirational discussion featuring female pioneers sharing their leadership experiences in the workforce. Hosted by distinguished moderator Tammy Tumbling (Orange County Community Foundation), the panel, including Shari Battle (Bank of America), Holly Martinez (California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls), Helen Iris Torres (Hispanas Organized for Political Equality), and Lindsey Spindle (Samueli Family Philanthropies & H&S Ventures), addresses the ever-evolving definition of what it means to be a woman leader and how they have personally aided in the demolition of the metaphorical glass ceiling for future generations of women. Watch as they delve into breaking barriers and pave the way for future generations of women leaders. Title Sponsors: UCI & UCI Health Sponsored By: Bank of America Event Partner: Orange County Grantmakers

In Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, tune in to our "The State of Latino Entrepreneurship in Orange County" Luncheon Program, which brought together members of the Latino business community to discuss the 2022 State of Latino Entrepreneurship Report and what it means for the future of Latino businesses. Our esteemed guest moderator, Jennifer Garcia (Latino Business Action Network - LBAN) led the presentation of the report, followed by a panel discussion. Our featured panelists included Patty Juarez (Wells Fargo), Reuben Franco (Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce), and Charles Harrison (Agtools). If you would like to read the full report please click the link below. https://www.lban.us/research For more information regarding our esteemed panel, please click on the provided links. Jennifer Garcia - COO Latino Business Action Network (LBAN) https://www.lban.us/ Patty Juarez - Executive VP & Head of Hispanic/Latino Affairs Wells Fargo https://www.wellsfargo.com/ Reuben Franco - President & CEO OC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce https://www.ochcc.org/ Charles Harrison - CFO Agtools https://www.agtechtools.com/