PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS | PROGRAM AGENDA
Michael Beckerman
President and CEO of the Internet Association
Michael Beckerman is the President and CEO of the Internet Association where he has worked to advance public policy that fosters innovation, promotes economic growth, and empowers people through the free and open Internet. Under his leadership, association membership has grown to over 40 top internet companies. He was recognized by Washingtonian Magazine as one of DC’s Tech Titans, and by Re/code as one of Silicon Valley’s top advocates in Washington. Beckerman is on the national board of After-School All-Stars.
?Jody Breckenridge
Vice Admiral, United States Coast Guard
Ms. Jody Breckenridge retired after serving 34 years in the Coast Guard and now gives back to veterans, military members and their families, and the community. She is active in Mission Readiness – Leaders for Kids supporting evidence based public policy and smart investments in youth. In addition, she currently serves as Board Chair for the San Francisco Water Emergency Transportation Authority, a regional ferry transportation service and emergency response organization. Ms Breckenridge serves on the boards of: San Francisco Fleet Week Association, Oakland Military Institute, Marines Memorial Association, Marines Memorial Foundation, the Association for Rescue at Sea, and First Command Financial Services. She is a member of the Governor’s Military Council and was recently appointed to the Board of Visitors for the National Defense University.
Vice Admiral Breckenridge’s last assignment in the Coast Guard was Commander, Pacific Area and Defense Forces West with responsibility for all operations across 73 million square miles of the Pacific, Arctic, and Antarctic Oceans. Vice Admiral Breckenridge holds a BS in biology from Virginia Tech, a Master in Public Policy from University of Maryland (graduated with honors), and a Master in National Resource Strategy from the Dwight D Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy of the National Defense University.
Maverick Carter
CEO, SpringHill Entertainment and UNINTERRUPTED
?Maverick Carter, CEO of SpringHill Entertainment and UNINTERRUPTED, oversees the companies’ overall strategic directions, spearheads new content development, and guides their multi-platform global distribution efforts. In addition, Carter leverages key relationships and provides unique insight to create original, exclusive, and authentic content across a variety of mediums.
With a steadily expanding portfolio of innovative projects, Carter has quickly become an influential figure in the media and entertainment industry. One of his fastest growing ventures is UNINTERRUPTED, the digital media company created by Carter and LeBron James that empowers athletes with a platform to develop and amplify their stories. Carter also oversees SpringHill Entertainment, the entertainment and content company that creates compelling stories for television, features, and digital.
In addition to his entertainment endeavors, Carter also has an extensive background in marketing and business development. Carter attended Western Michigan University and currently splits time between Akron, Ohio and Los Angeles, California.
Brittany David
Founder, Brittany Ann David Illustration
Brittany David is a native Colorado Illustrator with a BFA in Illustration from the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. Her work has been described as disgustingly cute and whimsical. Her style is semi-realistic with textural storybook qualities and is inspired by traditional vintage children's book illustrations. She mainly works in gouache, pen and ink, watercolor and markers. Recently she has been practicing hand lettering and typography to take her illustrations one step further. She is currently pursing children’s illustration along with other avenues of freelance illustration. In her spare time she enjoy rabbits and other awesome and adorable animals, books, spending time with her favorite people and her sweet dog Dexter, nature walks, creating with her art community and volunteering and mentoring the youth in her community at Gold Crown’s Computer Clubhouse after school program. She’s been a part of Gold Crown since 2003 and am now an alumni and mentor. She’sexcited and eager to continue learning, sharing and working alongside other artists and illustrators in the community.
Karen Freeman-Wilson
Mayor, Geary, Indiana
Karen Freeman-Wilson has been the Mayor of her hometown of Gary, Indiana since January 2012. Mayor Freeman-Wilson is the first female to lead the “Steel City” and the first African-American female mayor in the state of Indiana.
Mayor Freeman-Wilson has served in the public arena most of her professional life. She was previously the Indiana Attorney General, the Director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission and the presiding judge of the Gary City Court. She was also a leader in the national drug court movement having served as the CEO of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and Executive Director of the National Drug Court Institute. Freeman-Wilson is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. Freeman-Wilson has been honored by the White House of Drug Control Policy, Governors of Indiana and various organizations throughout the United States. A champion for children, seniors, the disabled and those suffering from addiction to alcohol and other drugs, Mayor Freeman-Wilson quickly attributes the signs of progress in Gary to the efforts of “Team Gary”, which includes city staff, members of other branches of government at the federal, state and local levels and those in the corporate, educational and non-profit arena who have joined the effort to rebuild the city of Gary.
Mayor Freeman-Wilson is active with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and is the 2nd Vice President of the National League of Cities and is honored to serve as co-chair of a committee with each organization. She is chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Police Chiefs on Community Policing. Mayor Freeman-Wilson and her husband Carmen Wilson, II have a blended family of four children.
Mónica García
Board Member, Los Angeles Unified School District
?Mónica García represents Board District 2 in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second-largest school district in the nation. With her bold call to action for “Diplomas for All,” Board Member García has galvanized the LAUSD school community to take aggressive action to reach 100% graduation and break the cycle of poverty by ensuring that every child can read, write, think, and believe.
Board Member García was elected to the Board of Education in June 2006, becoming the third Latina to serve on the Board in its 155-year history. She served an unprecedented six years as Board President, a position to which she was elected by her fellow Board Members.
the community to become involved in athletics, so that they may learn the character traits of accountability, teamwork, leadership, work ethic, and perseverance, while in a safe and supervised environment with their peers.
Jodi Grant
Executive Director, Afterschool Alliance
Since 2005, Jodi Grant has served as Executive Director of the Afterschool Alliance, a non-profit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children and youth have access to quality, affordable afterschool programs. The Afterschool Alliance seeks to educate the public, the media and policy makers about the enormous potential of quality afterschool and summer learning programs and how programs across the country are inspiring children and creating opportunities for them to succeed academically, socially and professionally. The Afterschool Alliance serves as a national voice for afterschool and provides resources and materials to more than 22,000 afterschool programs. It organizes national and local afterschool events, including the organization’s signature event, Lights On Afterschool; conducts research on the need and support for afterschool; creates tools for afterschool practitioners; and connects afterschool leaders to national, state and local opinion leaders. Grant graduated from Yale University with honors in 1990. She received her law degree from Harvard University. Grant, her husband and two children live in Bethesda, Maryland.
Eric Gurna
CEO of LA’s Best
Eric Gurna is the President and CEO of LA’s BEST After School Enrichment program, a partnership of the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Unified School District and the private sector that serves over 25,000 children in 193 elementary schools. Eric has over 20 years of experience in youth development, and in 2000 founded the firm Development Without Limits with the vision of supporting youth programs and schools to improve the quality of their work and create more youth-centered environments.
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Matt Iseman
Host, American Ninja Warrior and Winner, The Celebrity Apprentice
Life is short, do what makes you happy.” That’s the advice that Matt got from his Dad-a world renowned physician-when Matt quit medicine to pursue stand-up comedy. And those words still guide Matt today. He talks ninjas, tells jokes around the world and, in general, proves laughter is the best medicine. Perhaps best known as the host of the Emmy nominated “American Ninja Warrior” and being named the newest Celebrity Apprentice, the Boston Globe has said of Matt, “The best part about American Ninja Warrior, hands down, is when bro-host Matt Iseman roars the show’s title.” This Spring you can also hear that voice as Matt hosts the spinoff, “Team Ninja Warrior.”
His ongoing battle with Rheumatoid Arthritis transformed him into a strong supporter of the Arthritis Foundation, the charity he’s represented while winning Celebrity Apprentice. Yes, Arnold Schwarzenegger considers him a celebrity. Dr. Matt checks in every week on Hallmark’s Home & Family, sharing his medical expertise and his unique lifestyle tips. His hosting has already earned him an Emmy Award on Clean House. He also hosted Sports Soup on Versus and Scream Play on E!. He’s starred in countless commercials, numerous sitcoms and Transformers 2.
Matt’s headlined clubs all around the country and done shows for the troops around the globe, including performing in Iraq at one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces. Matt pitched for the baseball team all 4 years at Princeton University and then got his MD from the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. Yes, he really is a doctor. He now lives in Hollywood and spends way too much time online.
Van Jones
CNN Political Commentator and Host, The Messy Truth
Van Jones is a CNN political commentator, regularly appearing across the network's programming and special political coverage, and Host of CNN’s The Messy Truth. Jones has founded and led four not-for-profit organizations engaged in social and environmental justice.
Jones is a Yale-educated attorney. He is the author of two New York Times best-selling books, The Green Collar Economy (2008) and Rebuild the Dream (2012). The second book chronicles his journey as an environmental and human rights activist to becoming a White House policy advisor. In 2009, Jones worked as the green jobs advisor to President Barack Obama. In this role, Jones helped to lead the inter-agency process that oversaw the multi-billion dollar investment in skills training and jobs development within the environmental and green energy sectors.
Jones has been honored with numerous awards and spotlighted on several lists of high achievers, including: the World Economic Forum's "Young Global Leader" designation; Rolling Stone's 2012 "12 Leaders Who Get Things Done"; TIME's 2009 "100 Most Influential People in The World"; and the Root's 2014 "The Root 100." He is presently a fellow at the MIT Media Lab.
Jack Knott
Dean, USC Price School of Public Policy
Jack H. Knott is the Dean of the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, where he holds the C. Erwin and Ione L. Piper Chair. He is a leading scholar in the fields of political institutions and public policy, and is a past president of NASPAA, the international association of schools of public affairs.
Under Dean Knott’s leadership, the Price School has experienced significant growth and has strengthened its position as leader in public affairs research and education. In addition to several major gifts, Dean Knott was instrumental in securing the school’s $50 million endowment and naming gift from the Price Family Charitable Fund in November 2011.
In 2007, Dean Knott was elected as a fellow to the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), a non-partisan organization chartered by the U.S. Congress to assist federal, state, and local governments to improve their effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability.
Mario Lopez
Host, Extra
Mario Lopez is an American television host and actor. Lopez has appeared on several television series, in films, and on Broadway. He is known for his portrayal of A.C. Slater on Saved by the Bell, whom he also portrayed as a regular on Saved by the Bell: The College Years. He has appeared in numerous projects since, including the third season of Dancing with the Stars and as host for the syndicated entertainment news magazine show Extra. He has also hosted America's Best Dance Crew for MTV. In 2012, he co-hosted the second season of American version of The X Factor with Khloé Kardashian-Odom, and was the sole host for the third and final season.
Jose Mendoza
Mayor of Bell Gardens and Educator
Mayor Jose J. Mendoza grew up in the city of Bell Gardens. After graduating from Bell Gardens High school he attended California State University, Long Beach where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Liberal studies 2005. Two years later he obtained his Master of Arts in Education from UOP.
Mayor Mendoza wanted to give back to his community and became a full time teacher at Bell Gardens Intermediate. During his college years Jose volunteered his time working with at-risk students and teaching them the art of dance. Through his teachings, students learned about self-esteem, healthy living, freedom of expression, and positive ethical values. As years went by, his performing arts program continued to grow and became a model program for the city of Bell Gardens. His team represented Bell Gardens in various competitions, professional performances, and even performed for former Governor Schwarzenegger. Mayor Mendoza's dedication and compassion for teaching has been recognized by his fellow colleges and Parent Teacher Association (PTA). In 2009 he received the Honorary Service Award, in 2012 he received the Secondary Honorary Award. As a full time teacher and member of the community, Mayor Mendoza has managed to change the lives of many students in Bell Gardens. He continues to aspire and is pursuing a Doctorate Degree and hopes to continue to educate youth. He is proud to say that he is a product of Bell Gardens, and hopes to inspire others to pursue their dreams and achieve any goals.
Eloy Ortiz Oakley
Chancellor, California Community Colleges
Eloy Ortiz Oakley is chancellor for the California Community Colleges, the largest system of higher education in the nation, with 2.1 million students attending 113 colleges. Oakley is best known throughout California and the nation for implementing innovative programs and policies that help students succeed in college. Oakley strongly believes that California’s emerging economies demand a workforce with quality credentials and that the state’s 113 community colleges play a pivotal role in moving California forward. Under Oakley’s leadership, the Long Beach Community College District has received numerous awards and recognitions for its efforts to improve student completion rates and for directly supporting a strong small business and entrepreneurship eco-system throughout the greater Southern California region.
Ben Paul
President and CEO, After-School All-Stars
Ben Paul is President and CEO of After-School All-Stars, a national non-profit organization founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger, which provides free daily after-school programs to nearly 75,000 students from low-income families. ASAS programs can be found in over 50 cities from New York to Hawaii. Since joining ASAS in 2003, Mr. Paul has led the organization’s expansion from 45 to more than 350 schools, broadened the mission to include three pillars of health & fitness, academics, and enrichment, and the chapter network from nine to twelve States. Today ASAS is one of the largest national after-school program providers focused on comprehensive school based programs. Paul combines his passion for education with a strong business and leadership background, including nearly 20 years of management and entrepreneurial experience. Prior to joining After-School All-Stars, Paul served as the founding partner of a Los Angeles real-estate investment group; he worked for International Consultants on Targeted Security (ICTS), an anti-terrorism flight-security company and served for four-year as a commander in the Israeli army.
Paul’s current and past Board service include the Board of Trustees of America’s Promise Alliance, a collaborative network founded by Colin and Alma Powell, the Board of Directors of Palindrome Advisors, the Board of Directors of Larchmont Charter Schools (LCS), where he served as Chairman, LCS is one of LA’s top performing, most diverse charter networks. Paul also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Valley Charter Elementary and Middle School, The City School, a 6-12 public charter, and CLIC, a dual language immersion charter. He was recognized as one of 25 most influential people in after school by the National Afterschool Association.
Bonnie Reiss
Global Director, USC Schwarzenegger Institute
Bonnie Reiss is the Global Director of the USC Schwarzenegger Institute on State and Global Policy, which launched in September 2012. She is an accomplished attorney, advocate and strategist, and has a remarkable career having worked in the public sector for U.S. Senators and Presidents and founded and served as CEO for three national nonprofit organizations. She was a highly respected entertainment attorney and utilized her legal and accounting background to the benefit of many corporate boards she served on or advised.
She served as Senior Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger from 2003-2007, advising on all major policy initiatives, budget and political strategy and served on the California State Board of Education from 2003-2005. In 2009 she stepped in to serve as California Secretary of Education for the final year of Governor Schwarzenegger's term of office. She currently serves on the University of California Board of Regents, the Afterschool Alliance and After-School All-Stars Board of Advisors, as well as the University of Miami President's Council and in 2007 was awarded the U.S Department of Education’s William White Lifetime Achievement Award for her work on behalf of students.