REGIONAL ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
Friday, May 15, 2026 | Embassy Suites, Seaside
SESSION SLIDES
Sylvain Leduc’s Slides
Jon Haveman’s Slides
SESSION RECORDINGS
EVENT SPEAKERS
IAN OGLESBY
Mayor, City of Seaside
FARIS SABBAH, PH.D.
President, MBEP Board of Directors; Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools
TAHRA GORAYA
President & CEO, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership
SYLVAIN LEDUC, PH.D.
Executive Vice President and Director of Research, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
JON HAVEMAN, PH.D.
Executive Director, National Economic Education Delegation
IAN CALDERON
Founder & CEO, Majority Advisors
DANNY FIERRO
Founder & Managing Partner, Presidio Public Affairs
ESPERANZA COLIO WARREN
County Administrative Officer, San Benito County
NICOLE COBURN
County Executive Officer, Santa Cruz County
ANDREA CARLOS WILLY
Impact and Resource Development Officer, PVUSD
TAMARA VIDES
City Manager, City of Watsonville
DR. HEATHER CONTRERAS
Superintendent of Schools, PVUSD
ELISSA BENSON
Assistant County Executive Officer, Santa Cruz County
CARMEN HERRERA-MANSIR
Executive Director, El Pájaro Community Development Corporation
LAVERA ALEXANDER
Chief Growth Officer, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership
KEVIN CAUSEY
President of Montage Health Foundation and Vice President of External Affairs, Montage Health
THOMAS HORVATH, PH.D.
Dean, School of Science, CSU Monterey Bay
MATT HUERTA
Senior Advisor, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership
KRISTEN CLEMENTS
Director of Policy and Advocacy, Housing Trust Silicon Valley
ANASTACIA WYATT
Housing Manager, City of Monterey
MAURE GILDEA
Director of Technology & Digital Access, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership
ABOUT THE EVENT
MBEP’s Regional Economic Outlook is an educational convening that brings together leaders from business, government, and community sectors to explore current economic conditions and emerging trends across the Central Coast.
The event provides insights into regional progress, highlight key challenges and opportunities, and share updates on collaborative initiatives such as Regions Rise Together and Uplift Central Coast—efforts focused on advancing economic opportunity, workforce development, and inclusive growth across our region.
WHY ATTEND AN MBEP EVENT?
MBEP’s events offer a unique opportunity to engage with the leaders, ideas, and data shaping the future of the Central Coast. By bringing together diverse voices from across sectors, this event creates space for meaningful dialogue, shared understanding, and collaborative problem-solving.
Whether you’re looking to stay informed, strengthen partnerships, or ensure your perspective is part of the conversation, MBEP’s convenings provide the insight and connections needed to move our region forward—together.
