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

Tom Penn, CEO, San Diego FC

Tom Penn is the Chief Executive Officer of San Diego FC, leading the establishment and launch of the newest club in Major League Soccer. With over two decades of experience at the intersection of professional sports, business strategy, and community development, Mr. Penn is widely regarded as a visionary leader in the sports industry. Previously, Mr. Penn co-founded Major League Soccer expansion team LAFC in 2014, serving as President and Co-Owner and spent 11 years as an NBA executive, including four seasons as Vice President of Basketball Operations and Assistant General Manager of the Portland Trail Blazers, and seven seasons as Assistant General Manager and legal counsel of the Memphis Grizzlies. As CEO of San Diego FC, Mr. Penn is committed to a community-centric model, ensuring the club's identity is intrinsically woven into the fabric of San Diego. His leadership is focused on delivering a global-caliber team and operation while honoring the region’s rich soccer history and creating a lasting positive legacy for future generations.

San Diego FC isn't just building a world-class soccer club; it's laying the foundation for a transformative movement across Southern California. In this exclusive session, San Diego FC, CEO, Tom Penn, will share the strategic vision and community-first philosophy driving San Diego's newest major sports franchise. He will dive deep into how the club is engineering sustainable change, including the club's commitment to creating genuine pathways for local talent, investing in infrastructure that serves the wider community, and establishing a culture of inclusivity and social responsibility. Attendees will learn how a modern sports organization integrates business success with impactful civic engagement, revealing the core strategies that position San Diego FC as a catalyst for positive economic and social evolution in the region, both on and off the pitch.

Leading With San Diego Style

Meredith Walsh Panelist

Meredith Walsh is a dynamic and strategic executive with over two decades of experience in finance and operations leadership across consumer goods and lifestyle brands. Currently serving as Chief Executive Officer at Sun Bum, Meredith has a passion for building collaborative teams and ensuring that the strong culture that has fueled the growth at Sun Bum continues to thrive. Her career spans pivotal roles in the consumer products industry at SC Johnson Lifestyle Brands (Method and Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day brands), Sun Products Corporation (‘all, Wisk, Surf, Snuggle brands), and Mars Pet Care. In these roles, she has led transformative initiatives to scale businesses —from ERP implementations and cost productivity programs to strategic planning and M&A support. A Certified Public Accountant with degrees from Wake Forest and LSU, Meredith blends analytical rigor with a people-first approach, inspiring teams and championing business as a force for good. She loves to be active outdoors, whether it’s hiking or skiing with her husband and teenage sons, or just going for a walk with friends. She has a dog named Gumbo, named after her favorite food from her hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She values community involvement through service organizations, and gets joy from helping others realize their potential.

Karen Jordan - Moderator

Karen Jordan Founder of Hibernia Executive Partners, has built a career on her commitment to financial excellence and strategic leadership. Starting in public accounting, she quickly rose through the ranks of corporate finance. As a CFO and senior leader, Karen has excelled in organizations of various sizes, from startups to industry giants, with valuations of $7 billion. Achievements mark her tenure: driving company growth, optimizing capital structures, and building solid teams, processes, and systems. Karen’s reputation as a finance professional is reinforced by her recognition as the 2019 San Diego Business Journal CFO of The Year. Now, through Hibernia Executive Partners, she serves as a fractional CFO, offering seasoned C-suite leadership when organizations need it most. For guidance rooted in experience, Karen Jordan is your strategic finance and leadership beacon—a professional, informative, and confident ally on your journey to success. She loves to be active outdoors, whether it’s hiking or skiing with her husband and teenage sons, or just going for a walk with friends. She has a dog named Gumbo, named after her favorite food from her hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She values community involvement through service organizations, and gets joy from helping others realize their potential.

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Start your day with an energizing and inspiring morning dedicated to connection, leadership, and the vibrant San Diego lifestyle. While this session is focused on empowering and connecting women, all attendees are warmly welcomed to join us for a powerful breakfast and conversation. This year, we are thrilled to feature Meredith Walsh, CEO of Sun Bum, an iconic San Diego brand synonymous with our relaxed, outdoor culture. Join us for an insightful and candid conversation as Meredith shares her remarkable career journey, the challenges encountered, and the obstacles overcome while working with many well known high-growth consumer brand companies.

California: Business Friend or Foe?

Dr. Nikia Clarke Panelist

Dr. Nikia Clarke is Chief Strategy Officer of San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC), and Executive Director of World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD), an EDC affiliate. She leads strategy and program development for the organization, and oversees its economic development, research, talent and global engagement priorities. Clarke’s background is in global trade and investment strategy, and she has two decades of experience in global and local economic development in the academic, private, and non-profit sectors. She is a former appointee to the National Investment Advisory Council, a collection of senior leaders that advises the administration on FDI policy and strategy, and is founder and former Director of OUCAN, an international network of emerging market industry leaders, policy makers and researchers. She is also a professor at UC San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy and serves on the boards of SDSU’s International Business Program and Innovation District, Lifeline Community Services, the San Diego Innovation Council, the San Diego & Imperial Small Business Development Center Network, and Port Maritime Advisory. Previously, she advised the San Diego STEM Pathways Community and World Design Capital 2024. She holds a BA from Loyola Marymount University, an MPhil from Cambridge University, and a PhD from Oxford University.

Laura Garrette Panelist

Laura Garrett has been the SVP of Global Human Resources at TaylorMade since 2015, after having held other HR, Supply Chain, and Customer Service leadership roles with the organization since 2002. With TaylorMade’s global headquarters based in Carlsbad, California, Laura is keenly familiar with both the advantages and complexities of attracting, employing and retaining talent within the region. In 2025, TaylorMade was named #8 on Newsweek’s Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplaces. Laura has also served on The San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC)’s Board since 2016 and is Co-Chair of the EDC’s HR Forum, which regularly brings together HR executives from some of the largest employers in the region to discuss current challenges and share best practices as the world of work continues to evolve. She holds a BA in Economics from Kenyon College and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Andy Laats Panelist

Andy Laats serves as CEO and Chair of the Board of Nixon, Inc., the globally recognized watches and accessories brand he co-founded in Encinitas, California in 1997. Under his leadership, Nixon has earned international acclaim for its award-winning design, innovation, and distinctive brand positioning. Andy earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University. He began his career at Burton Snowboards, where he served as a Product Manager overseeing the development of snowboards, boots, and bindings. Following this experience, he pursued a Master of Business Administration at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where he authored the original business plan for Nixon. He holds patents in both snowboard and watch design. In addition to his entrepreneurial work, Andy has remained engaged with the academic community. He has lectured at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he and his business partner, Chad DiNenna, lead a case study on early-stage startups based on Nixon’s founding and growth experience. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Andy is deeply committed to community engagement and philanthropic leadership. He currently serves on the advisory board of the UC San Diego chapter of Camp Kesem, a national organization that supports children through and beyond a parent’s cancer diagnosis. He is also a member of the San Diego chapter of American Cancer Society CEOs Against Cancer and serves on the Cornell Swimming and Diving Alumni Board. Previously, he served on the University of San Diego School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board, the Stanford Graduate School of Business Management Board, and as Chair of the Board of Trustees at Pacific Ridge School. Andy resides in Encinitas, California, with his family. He is a devoted father of three and enjoys snowboarding in Montana, lake swimming in Vermont, and cheering on the San Diego Padres and the Boston Red Sox.

Gina Miller - Moderator

Gina represents employers in a wide range of labor and employment matters, offering both litigation defense and proactive counseling. She has extensive experience defending clients in federal and state courts, as well as before administrative agencies such as the Labor Commissioner and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Gina’s litigation practice includes handling complex wage and hour class actions and single-plaintiff lawsuits involving claims of discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, harassment, and breach of contract. She is skilled in managing all stages of pre-trial litigation, from discovery and depositions to motions for summary judgment and temporary restraining orders (TRO) proceedings. Gina has successfully taken multiple cases to jury verdict and has tried several bench trials. In addition to her litigation work, she advises employers on key employment policies and practices, including drafting and updating employee handbooks, arbitration agreements, employment contracts, wage and hour compliance, vacation policies, and managing leaves of absence.

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Program Description:

San Diego is home to a unique class of companies that thrive on innovation, the region's unique culture, and global connectivity. Yet, California's reputation as a high-cost, high-regulation state often leaves executives questioning its true friendliness to growth.

This candid discussion led by Gina Miller, Partner with Procopio with Dr. Nikia Clarke, Chief Strategy Officer of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, Laura Garrett, SVP Global Human Resources with TaylorMade Golf, and Andy Laats, CEO and Chair of the Board of Nixon, Inc., is your opportunity to move past generalized narratives.

Drawing on deep expertise in global trade, economic development, and San Diego's unique market, Nikia will share unbiased insights and data on the reality of doing business here and Laura and Andy will provide a vital, real-world perspective on navigating the opportunities and challenges of growing a business in the Golden State.

Our speakers will present concrete data and practical examples to assess the true cost of business, the impact of local and state policies, and the competitive advantages San Diego offers in attracting talent, capital, and global market access.

Cali Strong - Building a San Diego Athletic Brand

Jennifer Echeverria - Panelist

Jennifer “Jennifire” Echeverria, Co-founder and Chairperson, is often described as the X-Factor of Cali Strong. She is the lead architect of the sports marketing engine behind the “I Am CALI Strong” campaign, which boasts over 900 organic non-paid celebrity endorsements, a feat that has never been accomplished or will it ever be duplicated. As a hands-on product leader, Jenn works directly with designers and lays out the actual graphics and collections as well as sourcing the materials herself. As the strategic chairperson, Jenn is considered the best closer in the company for key customers and partnerships. Jenn was selected for the Stanford Graduate School of Business’s Latino Entrepreneur Leadership Program, that highlighted her role as a high potential, impact-focused founder. Together, Stroesser and Echeverria are a dynamic, founder-led team. They have a symbiotic partnership knowing when to take the reins and knowing when to relinquish them; when one leads, the other supports and builds the system behind it and vice versa.

Jim Stroesser - Panelist

Jim Stroesser, Co-Founder and CEO of Cali Strong, is a veteran sports-industry operator and turnaround specialistwith over 40 years experience as a branding, product and sales expert (Senior Executive - Nike, Converse, Oakley, Quiksilver, LA Gear, Pony, Adio, Bob Marley Footwear, etc.). Notable career accomplishments include, serving as the executive owner-partner (known as the face of the brand) that staged the turnaround of Converse taking it from $98 million buy to a $305 million sale to Nike Inc. in 29 months with a 2400% return becoming the merger and acquisition of the century. Stroesser also served as a key member of the senior executive team who took Oakley from $231 to $429 million in 24 months and their stock from $5 to $25 ultimately leading to a sale to Luxottica for $2.1 billion. Stroesser has been known for building many brands from the ground up and turning around heritage names; he is now focused on building CALI Strong as his legacy brand. “We created CALI Strong to be the missing sports brand in California since so many elite athletes from every sport were born here or have relocated here for the perfect conditions and climate to train all year long. But, the state never had its own Nike-style flagship brand… until now.”

Anthony Arnold - Moderator

Anthony Arnold, Partner & Private Equity Co-Chair, Barnes and Thornburg, is responsive and practical in his approach to helping clients solve problems and execute complex transactions from start to finish. He provides over a decade of experience advising clients on corporate, finance, strategic and investment matters and a balanced perspective from working as in-house counsel at one of the world’s largest private equity funds. Anthony advises U.S. and foreign investors and companies across a variety of industries, including software and hardware technology, biotechnology, aerospace and defense, industrials and manufacturing, financial and professional services, real estate, and sports, media and entertainment. Clients value his input, appreciate his strong business sense and innovative thinking and, as a result, view him as a trusted adviser and true partner.

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Program Description:

Cali Strong is defining the Join us for this invigorating conversation with Jim Stroesser, Co-founder and CEO, and Jennifer Echeverria, Co-founder and Chairperson, of Cali Strong, an emerging California sports brand. Next generation of athletic apparel with a forward-leaning style and a unique marketing approach that leverages professional athlete testimonials. The brand is built on a foundation deeper than just gear, embracing a mission to “stand for something good” and spread positivity.

Jim and Jennifer will share the trials and tribulations of building a sports brand from scratch, providing insights on how they accomplished the following:

Grew a grassroots company into a force in the industry
Established their brand identity by focusing on community impact
Garnered organic support from over 750 athletes and celebrities, including legends like Bill Walton and Andre Reed

Don't miss this opportunity to hear directly from the visionary leaders about blending California spirit, compelling design, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship to build a global sports powerhouse.

How SDSI Has Helped Support The Growth Of Over 150 San Diego Lifestyle Companies

Krystal Gillis - Panelist

Krystal Gillis, Founder & CEO of Tighties is a driven problem solver with a long history of identifying gaps in the market and building solutions, Krystal Gillis founded Tighties after seeing people first hand struggle with pain, instability, and one-off products that never addressed the root cause. Tighties was born from her determination to create a system that actually helps the body self-stabilize, leading to the patented Tighties Strapping System™ — a breakthrough neuromuscular activation platform for strength, alignment, and pain reduction. Today, Tighties is redefining how people move by training the body as a system, not a symptom. Tighties journey stands as a modern example of innovation, perseverance, and consumer-driven product creation.

Bryan Pate - Panelist

Bryan is the CEO of PT Motion Works, Inc., a global leader in fitness and balance training products. Bryan’s experience includes serving as a Marine Corps Officer, clerking for a federal judge, being a consultant at McKinsey & Co., co-founding and serving as CEO of ElliptiGO, Inc. and serving as CEO of GIBBON North America, Inc. Bryan is a named inventor on more than a dozen patents and is an accomplished endurance athlete. He holds a B.S. from Stanford University and a J.D. from Columbia Law School.

Bob Rief - Moderator

Bob Rief is a revered 40-year veteran of the Sports and Active Lifestyle (SAL) industry. His extensive executive leadership experience includes serving as President of Nike Golf (where he was part of the team that signed Tiger Woods), CEO of Reef sandals, CEO of Sanuk Footwear, and holding executive positions at Merrell Footwear and Callaway Golf. Now, as the Executive Director of San Diego Sport Innovators (SDSI), Bob applies his vast experience to mentor and nurture young businesses in the SAL segment, sharing key lessons learned throughout his career.

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Program Description:

Join us for an inspiring and insightful panel discussion that dives deep into the entrepreneurial journey within the Sports and Active Lifestyle industry. Moderated by SDSI Executive Director Bob Rief, this session features two successful founders who have successfully leveraged the resources and mentorship of the SDSI Walton Innovation Lab Accelerator Program: Bryan Pate of ElliptiGO and Krystal Gillis of Tighties. The SDSI Walton Innovation Lab has been instrumental in supporting the growth of over 150 of San Diego’s innovative companies.

In this discussion, Bob will interview Bryan and Krystal about their experiences with the accelerator, and specifically how the program helped them overcome the critical challenges inherent in starting, funding, and scaling a business in the competitive active lifestyle market. Attendees will gain actionable insights from founders who have successfully bridged the gap from prototype to profitable enterprise.