Social Enterprise Collective Empowers Community through Innovation and Collaboration at Joyce LA
On December 5, 2024, the Social Enterprise Collective (SEC) brought together a dynamic group of innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers for its latest gathering at Joyce LA. Co-hosted by the Master's in Social Entrepreneurship and Change Program and Pepperdine University's School of Public Policy and produced by The Social Impact Firm, the event highlighted the power of collaboration to address complex social challenges.
The day began with a compelling keynote address by Pete Peterson, Dean of Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy. His remarks explored the transformative impact of cross-sector collaboration, emphasizing how partnerships are vital to achieving long-lasting and sustainable social change. His insights set the tone for the day, highlighting the importance of partnerships in driving meaningful and sustainable social change.
The first panel featured an impressive lineup of speakers: Jeff Fouchey, CEO of FAID; Jesse Draper, Founding Partner at Halogen Ventures; and Erin Nicole Jordan, Executive Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Paramount Pictures. Moderated by Ryan Johnson, Community Relations and Foundation Manager for the Tournament of Roses, this discussion explored critical themes such as philanthropy, impact investing, and scaling social ventures. Throughout the conversation, the panelists offered actionable insights into strategies for leveraging these tools to drive systemic social change.
The second panel honed in on the power of storytelling as a catalyst for change. The discussion featured: Lauren Triplett, Founder of BiteSized Consulting and Senior Marketing Manager at a major toy company; Rick Cole, former Pasadena City Manager and policy innovator; and Verónica Escalante, Founding Executive Director of SHARE. Moderated by Robert Jordan, Assistant Director of the Davenport Institute at Pepperdine’s School of Public Policy, the discussion highlighted the importance of authentic narratives and innovative partnerships in advancing meaningful causes.
The event concluded with a powerful fireside chat featuring Aja Brown, Head of Impact at FORWARD and former Mayor of Compton. Moderated by Stephen Kirnon, Chair of Pepperdine’s Master’s in Social Entrepreneurship and Change Program, the conversation offered attendees a personal glimpse into Brown’s leadership journey and her vision for community transformation.
We were also honored to welcome Anthony Collatos, Assistant Dean of Pepperdine’s School of Education and Psychology, who reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in fostering innovation and change.
Attendees described the event as a carefully curated and inclusive experience that fostered meaningful connections and shared learning. The Social Enterprise Collective Los Angeles 2024 proved that when passionate individuals come together with purpose, extraordinary things happen. One attendee reflected:
"The Social Enterprise Collective Los Angeles 2024 was an incredible experience. The panels were thoughtfully curated, the speakers were inspiring, and the entire event fostered meaningful connections. It was empowering to be surrounded by so many like-minded professionals dedicated to making a real impact. The conversations and collaborations sparked here will drive change far beyond today."