Economic Development & Advocacy Advisory Council

The Economic Development & Advocacy Advisory Council works with elected officials, community leaders, Chamber Members, topic experts, and other organizations to shape policies that help promote business creation, sustainability, and growth.

Areas of focus include

  • Employment
  • Business and Industry Retention
  • Housing and Living Costs
  • Environmental Regulations, and
  • Workforce Development

Advisory Council Members are responsible for discussing and deciding, by vote, the official position adopted by the Chamber regarding the different public issues that affect businesses and workers in San Diego.

For more information about getting involved with Economic Development & Advocacy, contact Sophia Hernandez.

Please click a meeting date on the right to register. Registration is required. 

All Chamber Members and their employees are invited to join the meetings and participate in the discussion.

Meeting Dates


Advisory Council Co-Chairs

Joe Britton
Senior Public Affairs Manager
San Diego Gas & Electric

Eileen Gaffen
President
Steres Gaffen Media

Advisory Council Members

Amy Lanci
Communication Consultant
Untold Stories Enterprises

Christopher Lycett
Vice President -Retail Banking San Diego
Mechanics Bank

DeAndrea Brazel
Employee Benefits Advisor
Benefit Pro Insurance Services

Dolores Canizales
Career Education Specialist
Poway Unified School District

Edward Schwarz
Senior Vice President
Merrill Lynch

Evan Wahl
Director, Project Management & Site Strategy
Catalent Pharma Solutions - San Diego

Fred Nasseri
Owner/President/CEO
Unicorn Jewelry & Watch Boutique

Fred Schippa
Founder and Managing Director

Rise Consulting Group

Joni Iglinski
Director of Academic Affairs
University of Phoenix

John O'Reilly
Owner & Founder
O'Reilly Wealth Advisors

Kristen Amicone
Director of Intergenerational Programs
San Diego Oasis

Karen DeGasperis
Realtor

DeGasperis & Assoc - Real Estate

Laura Bashore
Career Coach/Founder
Anew Resume and Career Services

Laurie Edwards-Tate
President and CEO
At Your Home Familycare

Melanie Woods 
Vice President Local Public Affairs
California Apartment Association

Mike Nagy
Legislative Advocacy & USC Graduate Student

Natahlie Halcrow
Cofounder, Client Manager
Gearbox Websites

Neil McCarthy
Senior Tax Manager
LB Advisors

Patricia Lamparella
Financial Advisor
Prudential Financial

Ron Naves
President 
Cumorah Business Consulting

Sarah Kirkpatrick
Wine Stylist
Haus by Sarah / Boisset Collection Wine Ambassador

Samara Hakim
President
CulturGrit, LLC

Sanjiv Prabhakaran
President & CEO
Bytes, Inc.

Shawn Stout Jough
CEO and Principal HR Consultant
Strategic HR Advisory

Tammy Moretti
Speaker, Communication Expert, Soft Skills (EQ)Educator and Coach
Rise Up For You

Tony Teravainen
CEO & Co-Founder
Support the Enlisted Project

Wendy DeCesare
California Area Manager
Hire Heroes USA

Y'vonne Ormond
CEO

5P Consulting

Disclaimer: Portions of this program may be filmed and/or photographed. By attending, you consent to its unrestricted use, as deemed appropriate by North San Diego Business Chamber. Click here to see our complete Notice of Filming and Photography.