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.

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

Advisory Council Co-Chairs

Karen DeGasperis
Realtor
DeGasperis & Assoc - Real Estate

Mike Nagy
Legislative Advocacy & USC Graduate Student

Please click a meeting date below to register. Registration is required. 

Meeting Dates


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

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

Eileen Gaffen
 President
Steres Gaffen Media

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

Laura Bashore
Career Coach/Founder
Anew Resume and Career Services

Laurie Edwards-Tate
President and CEO
At Your Home Familycare

Leila Naderi
Associate Director of Employer Relations
University of San Diego

Natahlie Halcrow
Cofounder, Client Manager
Gearbox Websites

Patricia Lamparella
Financial Advisor
Prudential Financial

Samara Hakim
President
CulturGrit, LLC

Sanjiv Prabhakaran
President & CEO
Bytes, Inc.

Shawn Stout Jough
CEO and Principal HR Consultant
Strategic HR Advisory

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.