STATE OF THE REGION

November 6, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | CSU Monterey Bay University Center

ABOUT THE EVENT

MBEP’s State of the Region 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.

MEET OUR SPEAKERS

More speakers coming soon!

LAVERA ALEXANDER

Chief Growth Officer
CAAMCI Project Director
Monterey Bay Economic Partnership

DR. CHRIS BENNER

Professor of Sociology, Chair, and Director of the Everett Program, and Institute for Social Transformation
UC Santa Cruz

IAN CALDERON

Former Majority Leader
California State Assembly
Founder & CEO
Majority Advisors

JO COFFARO

Regional Vice President
Hospital Council
Northern & Central California

DR. MARK CARVALHO

CEO,
Montage Medical Group
President,
MoGo Urgent Care

TAHRA GORAYA

President & CEO
Monterey Bay Economic Partnership

MAURE GILDEA

Director of Technology & Digital Access
Monterey Bay
Economic Partnership

MATT HUERTA

Senior Advisor, Housing
Monterey Bay
Economic Partnership

ALEXA JOHNSON

Director of Housing Policy & Advocacy
Monterey Bay
Economic Partnership

ELAINE JOHNSON

Executive Director
Housing Santa Cruz County

DR. SOMJITA MITRA

Chief Economist
California Department of Finance

DR. ALLEN RADNER

President & CEO
Salinas Valley Health

DR. SHAWN TENNENBAUM

Superintendent
San Benito High School District

DR. CARLOS VARGAS

Interim President
CSU Monterey Bay

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.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

We need your support to make this a successful regional conference. More than ever, we are counting on you to ensure that MBEP has the capacity and resources to continue our important work in the foundational areas of housing, economic and workforce development, broadband access, and policy advocacy. Your sponsorship makes it possible for us to hold our annual convening to share, collaborate, and partner across our tri-county region with diverse stakeholders in industry, government, and community while remaining focused on our triple bottom line of equity, economic health, and environment.