$119 for Members/$149 early bird (through April 17)/$169 general admission.
Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, and a copy of The Latino Century.
Bring your whole team! Purchase a table for your organization and unlock exclusive group discounts while making space for collaboration, connection, and inspiration. MBEP Members: $1150 for a table of 10 ($115 per ticket); Early Bird (through April 17): $1450 for a table of 10 ($145 per ticket); General admission: $1650 for a table of 10 ($165 per ticket). Contact Jessica Gilden to purchase a table.
Navigating Economic Uncertainty Through Regional Collaboration
In times of economic uncertainty—with falling markets, evolving tariff policies, and an increasingly unstable labor force—regional collaboration and cross-sector dialogue are more important than ever. Join us on May 1st as we explore the future of the Central Coast economy through powerful conversations and timely insights.
This year’s event will kick off with a keynote economic outlook from Dr. Jon Haveman, followed by a fireside chat with California State Controller Malia Cohen on the fiscal health of the state and implications for local communities.
We’ll also hear from local leaders across Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito Counties, including county administrative officers and city managers, who will share regional updates and economic trends.
Dive into the policies shaping the future of our workforce and education systems with voices from UC Santa Cruz, Cabrillo College, and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education.
Political strategist and author Mike Madrid will join us for a keynote address and fireside chat with Zach Friend, exploring his latest book The Latino Century and its timely reflections on cultural transformation, self-governance, and the evolving American identity.
Explore how initiatives like Regions Rise Together, Uplift Central Coast, and the Monterey Bay Tech Hub are fostering resilience and opportunity across the region—with insights from housing advocates, early childhood leaders, and workforce development experts.
This is more than just a conference—it’s a call to action. Come be part of the movement shaping a resilient and inclusive Monterey Bay region. We look forward to welcoming you for a day of insight, inspiration, and collaboration.
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Tahra brings to MBEP strong skills in leadership, management, policy advocacy, and public affairs. She is experienced in diverse issue areas across multiple sectors including nonprofit management, business, and government. Her familiarity in leveraging strategic relationships, building cross-cultural and cross-sector coalitions, crafting public policy, and organizing multi-faith and grassroots communities helped her succeed and pass legislation for over a dozen policies. READ MORE...
Krista Snelling serves as President and CEO of Santa Cruz County Bank. Ms. Snelling joined the Bank in March 2021 and has 25+ years of banking experience. Ms. Snelling currently serves on the boards of the California Bankers Association, as Chair-Elect, the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP), and Santa Cruz County Bank, and as Finance Committee Member for the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County. She has served on the Executive Advisory Council of University of the Pacific's Eberhardt School of Business since 2011. READ MORE...
Jon Haveman is widely considered to be one of California’s leading experts on the economics of seaports, goods movement, and international trade policy. He is also an expert in regional economies and local economic development. Prior to joining the Marin Consulting, Dr. Haveman was the Chief Economist at the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, a founding principal at Beacon Economics, and the Director of the Economy Program at the Public Policy Institute of California. He has been a Senior Economist with the President's Council of Economic Advisers and an Economist with the Federal Trade Commission, and he has held a faculty position in the Business School at Purdue University. Dr. Haveman holds a Ph.D. and Master of Science in Economics from The University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Wisconsin. READ MORE...
As chief fiscal officer of the world’s fifth-largest economy, Controller Cohen’s primary responsibility is to account for and protect the state’s financial resources. Controller Cohen also independently audits government agencies that spend state funds, safeguards many types of property until claimed by the rightful owners, and administers the payroll system for state government employees and California State University employees. READ MORE...
Sonia M. De La Rosa stepped into the CAO position in January 2023 following a long-standing career with the County of Fresno, where her hard work brought forward many improvements to services which have enhanced the lives of the residents there. She has extensive experience working with challenging issues such as homelessness, supporting victims of crime and law enforcement. The first Latina County of Monterey CAO, De La Rosa was raised in Monterey County and has maintained her roots in the community. READ MORE.
Headshot and bio coming soon!
In 1992, Mr. Palacios moved to the city of Watsonville, taking on the role of assistant finance officer before being promoted to City Manager, a role he served in for almost 20 years. During that time, Mr. Palacios supervised all city departments and oversaw a profound transformation in Watsonville, helping modernize their economy in the face of challenges from NAFTA and other global economic forces. As City Manager of Watsonville, he helped implement...READ MORE.
Dr. Matt Wetstein has been Superintendent/President of Cabrillo College since February 2018. Prior to working at Cabrillo, Matt served for 6 years as the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Instruction and Planning at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, CA. Matt started his career in the California Community Colleges as a Political Science Instructor at San Joaquin Delta College in 1996. He holds a BA from the University of St. Francis in Illinois, and a Masters and Ph.D. in Political Science from Northern Illinois University. READ MORE.
Cynthia K. Larive was confirmed as the eleventh Chancellor of University of California Santa Cruz by the UC Board of Regents on May 16, 2019. She began her tenure on July 1, 2019.A common thread throughout Larive’s career has been her commitment to student success, inclusion and equity. She has led programs for undergraduate research and curricular innovation and has written over two dozen articles on active learning, mentoring and experiential learning. Larive has also been active in encouraging the participation and success of women and others who have been underrepresented in STEM fields, including service as co-PI of an institutional NSF Advance grant. READ MORE.
Faris Sabbah has served as the Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools since 2019. He is an immigrant to this country, having grown up in Iraq and Ecuador, and has lived in Santa Cruz County for over 30 years. Over the past 25 years, he has served in a variety of positions in education at the site, district, and County Office of Education levels. He believes wholeheartedly that education is about serving the whole child and disrupting inequitable practices to uplift student voice. READ MORE.
With over 23 years of experience in Affordable Housing and Community Development, Matt Huerta advises and supports affordable housing and community development initiatives aimed at creating self-sufficiency. Areas of focus are program development, affordable housing development, organizational management improvement, and human capital development through leadership coaching and collaboration. READ MORE.
Mike Madrid is a nationally recognized political consultant with an expertise on Latino voting trends and voter behavior. Madrid has been a pioneer in Latino communications and outreach strategies in state, local, and national political campaigns. A graduate of Georgetown University, he served as the press secretary for the California Assembly Republican leader, as the political director for the California Republican Party, and as senior adviser to both Democrats and Republicans. READ MORE ABOUT MIKE.
Zach Friend is a nationally recognized expert in government affairs, communications strategy, and public policy, with a career spanning the highest levels of government and corporate advising. He has served in the White House, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives, and spent over a decade as an elected official in California.A former presidential campaign spokesperson, Zach has advised Fortune 500 companies, startups, and global organizations on crisis management, narrative development, and public affairs strategy. READ MORE...
Matt Huffaker is an experienced local government professional, currently serving as the City Manager for the City of Santa Cruz, and previously as the City Manager for the City of Watsonville. He is an action-oriented leader, with a passion for building community partnerships and championing positive system change. Matt has extensive experience in economic development, strategic planning, labor relations, organizational development, and building community partnerships. READ MORE.
René Mendez has over 30 years of State and local government experience. Prior to his appointment as City Manager of Salinas in May 2024, he served as City Manager of Watsonville for two years and Gonzales for 17 years.
René holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from California State University, Stanislaus, and a Master of Arts Degree in Public Policy from Duke University. READ MORE.
Dr. Chris Benner is the Dorothy E. Everett Chair in Global Information and Social Entrepreneurship, and a Professor of Environmental Studies and Sociology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He currently directs the Everett Program for Technology and Social Change and the Institute for Social Transformation. His research examines the relationships between technological change, regional development, and the structure of economic opportunity, focusing on regional labor markets and the transformation of work and employment. READ MORE.
Sonja Koehler is a convenor, facilitator and sensemaker. With a lifetime of international experience, decades of volunteer and professional organizing, degrees in Public Administration and Microbiology, and a Zen Buddhist practice, she is adept at seeing the whole and the parts and how its all connected. As Director of the Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Development Initiative based in Monterey County, Sonja is advancing cross-sector solutions to the child care shortage, and fostering a transformation of the holistic systems that support young children and families. She firmly believes that when we invest equitably to create communities of equality, everyone will thrive.
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With over 23 years of experience in Affordable Housing and Community Development, Matt Huerta advises and supports affordable housing and community development initiatives aimed at creating self-sufficiency. Areas of focus are program development, affordable housing development, organizational management improvement, and human capital development through leadership coaching and collaboration. READ MORE.
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We need your support to make our events 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 convenings 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.
Sponsorship helps to not only host these regional convenings but to also support MBEP’s operations year around. I hope we can count on you! Please Jessica Gilden at jgilden@mbep.biz for more information.
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Funding 500 new affordable homes.
Resulting in 14 + new policies that are improving housing affordability
To recommend water policies that are increasing housing production
Aiming to educate about new laws, and strengthen policies and practices in Monterey County.
Resulting in 2,029 new homes
Resulting in 2,200 + new beds
We respectfully acknowledge that the land on which Marina, California, is located is the traditional and unceded territory of the Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation. We honor and thank the past, present, and future generations of the Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen people for their stewardship of this land. We express our deep appreciation for their enduring connection to this place and commit to respecting and valuing their cultural heritage. As we enjoy the natural beauty and resources of this region, we strive to be mindful stewards of the land and to support the ongoing efforts of Indigenous communities.
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