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This elite crop of innovators and influencers use their expertise to elevate their fields and bring big ideas to life.
San Diego is a city of leaders—in business, health care, design, education, and more.This elite crop of innovators and influencers use their expertise to elevate their fields and bring big ideas to life. The titans in these pages bring energy and experience to their respective professions and drive their industries forward. Meet the 2022 Faces of San Diego.
Faces of San Diego – Aurae MD
Aaurae MD
Compassionate and intuitive by nature, Dr. Margo Aura Emami embodies the art and science of natural beauty.
“True beauty begins at the cellular level and is intimately tied to our physical and mental health,” she explains. This Harvard-trained physician with 30 years of experience and fellowships in aesthetic, regenerative, and antiaging medicine founded AURAE MD as a leading center for preventive and restorative therapies.
Dr. Emami’s extensive knowledge and advanced techniques bring patients into her serene La Jolla clinic. What sets AURAE MD apart is the time and care that she devotes to understanding each patient to ensure truly transformative results and a sense of overall well-being and confidence.
AURAE MD features nonsurgical face and neck lifts, such as the Y Lift, Morpheus8 radio frequency microneedling, Accutite, and Facetite, along with IPL, lasers, fillers, Botox, skin care, nutrition, and stress management. “This is a joyful place for mind and body restoration,” she says. “My mission is for my patients to feel vibrant, healthy, beautiful, and ready to enjoy life!”
9850 Genesee Avenue, Suite 840 La Jolla, CA 92037 | 858-461-8543 | auraemd.com
Faces of SD – Oliver Audiology
Oliver Audiology & Hearing Aid Services
Dr. Linda Oliver has dedicated herself to lifelong learning and improvement in audiology, resulting in excellent patient-centered care. She founded her private practice in 1996 to better align with her desire to provide the highest-quality patient care and service. In the years since, her practice has become the benchmark for compassionate hearing health care using the latest technology and expertise. Trained and headed by Dr. Oliver, the team at Oliver Audiology is committed to one common goal: helping people achieve a higher quality of life through better hearing. Always on the leading edge, Dr. Oliver is the first hearing care provider in San Diego to use 3D digital ear scanning technology. It’s part of the best practices model that drives everything she and her team do to help people hear the best they possibly can.
3636 Fourth Avenue, Suite 220 San Diego, CA 92103 | 619-297-3131 | oliveraud.com
Faces of SD – Aroga Biosciences
President and Principal, Aroga Biosciences
Aroga Biosciences is a female-owned boutique consulting group offering highly experienced regulatory writing services for biotech and pharmaceutical projects. “We are a team of scientists with extensive regulatory and medical writing experience in a broad range of therapeutic areas,” says president and principal Krithi Rao Bindal.
Bindal’s career path was influenced by early research work in pediatric oncology drug development. There, she developed a passion for combining research skills with scientific expertise to ultimately make a difference in people’s lives, and has built a company and culture of like-minded individuals who share her passion.
“We work with clients globally, and what drives us every single day is the opportunity to impact patient outcomes. Our scientific backgrounds allow us to understand content at a fundamental level, which aids us in conveying messaging appropriately to help move products through the pipeline and ultimately to patients in need.”
6496 Weathers Place, Suite 200 San Diego, CA 92121 | 858-925-6145 | arogabio.com
Faces of San Diego – B Medical
B Medical Spa takes pride in being an all-inclusive medical spa that emphasizes both beauty and health. “We help patients navigate various treatments and find the best solutions for confident health and comprehensive beauty,” says Dr. Nadine Haddad.
B Medical Spa offers an extensive and expanding list of spa and medical services, such as facial rejuvenation; PRP treatments; hair restoration; treatment of sexual dysfunction in men and women; cellulite treatment; skin tightening; laser, IV, and vitamin therapy; weight management, and more.
Patients can rely on Dr. Haddad and her team, whose distinguished background pairs medical care with advanced aesthetics to achieve both beauty and overall health, providing patients with results that don’t merely restore their appearance, but also build their overall self- confidence. Dr. Haddad says, “Let us reverse the aging process, correct problematic skin, and maintain a younger, healthier, more vibrant you!”
3033 Fifth Avenue, Suite 105 San Diego, CA 92103 | 619-890-9985 | bmedspa.com
Faces of San Diego – Beaudry
Beaudry Garden Design creates special places to be with your family in the natural environment of your own backyard. “Our gardens can be a refuge for ourselves as well as the natural environment around us,” says licensed landscape contractor John Robert Beaudry. “By incorporating native plants, water retention basins, and composting, we invite the interaction of birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects. We create the conditions for nature to flourish so our gardens can also provide a place for wildlife to be restored.”
Beaudry is the author of Garden Sanctuary: Designing for Comfort, Wholeness and Connection and the founder of the nonprofit organization Community Green, which is dedicated to greening our cities through implementing green infrastructure. “We’re devoted to harmonizing with the environment through active listening to people and place,” he says, “thus deepening our relationship with nature and each other.”
La Mesa, CA | 619-929-9140 | beaudrydesign.com
Faces of SD – ChicExecs
Nikki Carlson and Kailynn Bowling, Co-Founders
ChicExecs founders Nikki Carlson and Kailynn Bowling are no strangers to entrepreneurship. After starting the first women-owned electronics brand, the powerhouse duo searched for an agency that could handle both PR and retail strategy. When they came up short, they started their own. ChicExecs was born to “think outside the suit”–to deliver a three-tiered approach to clients looking for PR, retail strategy, and digital marketing. This powerful combination is a recipe for success for the agency, which combines passion, creativity, and innovation to take brands to the next level. In today’s challenging business climate, ChicExecs has demonstrated its ability to pivot, helping clients shift gears and successfully overcome unexpected hurdles. With a roster of international brands and local startups, and strong media and retail connections, ChicExecs has built a reputation as a one-stop shop for all your agency needs.
820 Los Vallecitos Boulevard Suite A-C San Marcos, CA 92078 | 760-992-9113 | chicexecs.com
Faces of SD – Dawson
Elisabeth Dawson is on a mission to help as many people as possible become confident talking about money. A financial adviser for over 23 years, she is the founder of Copia Wealth Management and Insurance Services and Copia Wealth Management Advisors, Inc.
Elisabeth strives to educate people about how to run their finances like
a business does for profit. She says, “I bet you make a lot of money , but how good are you about keeping it?”
Unlike traditional financial planning firms, Elisabeth and her team help educate and coach clients through every financial decision in their lives, illustrating the future outcome of those money strategies. With candor and transparency, Elisabeth helps clients overcome financial hurdles and empowers them to achieve their goals.
“I offer ideas and strategies to help them create a plan, protect their family, and strategize for the retirement income for a very long life.”
2333 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 240 San Diego, CA 92108 | 619-640-2622 | CopiaWM.com ElisabethDawson.com
LIC #0C72164, #0G81294
Faces of SD – Cushman and Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield
Expertise is crucial in life science real estate. That’s why so many local biotechs turn to San Diego’s own Greg Bisconti, vice chairman and national lead of Cushman & Wakefield’s Life Sciences Advisory Group. “Our passion, knowledge, and connections set us apart,” he says.
Bisconti, who started at C&W in 1994, has focused exclusively on life sciences real estate for nearly two decades. He’s negotiated a wide range of deals ranging from lab space for small, up-and-coming biotechs to large, complex R&D transactions for Illumina, Takeda, Lilly, UC San Diego, Turning Point Therapeutics, and many more.
Bisconti and his team exclusively advocate for life sciences tenants. “Lab space
is scarce, and landlords know this,” he says. “Our job is to ensure our clients explore all options, including off-market and creative options, so they can find the very best solutions to meet their needs.”
12830 El Camino Real, Suite 100 San Diego, CA 92130 | 858-354-1489 |
4labspace.com
Greg Bisconti, LIC # 01167920
Faces of SD – Dawn Delia
It’s rare to find a tax attorney so approachable, compassionate, and nonjudgmental as Dawn Delia. She found her true calling in tax and business law while working as a litigator on a complex case in NYC. Ten years later, she moved back to Southern California and founded tax law firm Delia Law in 2011. Her firm focuses on assisting individuals and businesses with IRS audits, settlements, tax collections, unfiled tax returns, payroll, appeals, and cases in United States Tax Court.
Delia Law is now one of the most respected and accomplished tax law firms in the nation, with offices in San Diego, Los Angeles, New York City and Maryland. Ms. Delia is well known for her ability to take on difficult cases and her ability to identify and resolve tax issues quickly and definitively to her client’s satisfaction.
DELIA LAW P.C.
12707 High Bluff Drive, Suite 200 San Diego, CA 92130 | Locations in Los Angeles, New York City, and Maryland | 800-980-3398 | deliataxattorneys.com
Faces of SD – DesignX
DesignX Architecture + Interiors and Handbuilt Furniture + Fixtures
DesignX Architecture + Interiors is a nationally recognized firm devoted to creating one-of-a-kind spaces that transform how people feel, not just what they see. Its projects have included restaurants and bars, food halls, hotels, multifamily, retail, and event centers.
“We believe that furniture is an essential component to complete the wow factor and bring interest to a space, which is why we recently launched DesignX’s sister company, Handbuilt Furniture + Fixtures,” says principal Allison Whitt. “This is where we can design and build quality custom pieces to take the overall design concept to the next level. Handbuilt is also a full-service furniture studio, providing selections and procurement.”
Whitt, a licensed architect, is proud to bring spaces to life, allowing her to embrace her true passion: “Nothing has more immediate effect on
our mood and well-being than our surroundings.”
710 13th Street, Suite 307 San Diego, CA 92101 | 619-766-5649 | www.designx-ai.com | www.hand-built.com
Faces of SD – mpet
Creator of mPet
Natalie Punt is a small-animal veterinarian and the creator and founder of mPet, a smartphone app that securely stores, manages, and transfers your pet’s medical records and health information. Punt created mPet in 2019 so pet owners could access their pet’s medical records anywhere, anytime, particularly during emergencies or while traveling. Always innovative, she started her business, Fidum Veterinary Services, to provide veterinary services to general practice and specialty hospitals when they need an extra veterinarian. She also provides consulting services to veterinary and animal health startups. Punt practices small-animal general medicine in the San Diego region as well as small-animal emergency medicine throughout the country.
Learn more about mPet at mpethealth.org Get mPet on the App Store and Google Play
Faces of SD – Gina Mancuso
Gina Mancuso founded Mancuso Media in 2006 after over 20 years of experience in multiplatform, holistic, and fully integrated marketing, and today it is a leading full-service advertising agency. Mancuso Media provides advertising strategy and execution for businesses that are looking for ways to reach consumers. It’s a woman-owned business that specializes in the seamless integration of traditional and digital media.
Mancuso Media is dedicated to providing companies with the most cost-effective leads and increased sales revenue. Equipped with the highest level of marketing experience and talent, the team specializes in customizing a strategy package specifically around your target consumer and business goals. The commitment to your business doesn’t end there. Mancuso Media continues to observe plan performance and keep track of buyer response. They are constantly analyzing the data and evolving the strategy. What sets the company apart is their dedication to the success of your business to ensure you reach all your marketing goals.
760-632-8211 | mancusomedia.com
Faces of SD – Holden Timeless
Dr. Amanda Holden, Dr. Shauna Conry, Dr. Colleen Buono, Dr. Tola Johnson, Dr. Jessica Sutton, Katie Martin, PA-C
Thanks to Emsculpt Neo’s extraordinary noninvasive body-sculpting technology, Amanda Holden, MD, and her experienced “glam team” can quickly and easily transform bodies without surgery or downtime.
“There’s no better way to increase muscle mass and eliminate fat without breaking a sweat,” says Dr. Holden, the founder, owner, and medical director of Holden Timeless Beauty. “These remarkable machines produce an average 25 percent increase in muscle mass and, if desired, an average 30 percent reduction in fat. More than 30 clinical studies prove that Emsculpt Neo is safe and effective.”
Patients can rely on Dr. Holden’s proven record. She is double-board-certified in aesthetic medicine and emergency medicine and is the cofounder of The Academy of Medical Aesthetics. “We’re proud to offer life-changing services in a welcoming environment that’s devoted to your safety and comfort,” she says.
711 Center Drive, Suite 106, San Marcos, CA 92069 | Satellite offices in Fallbrook, La Jolla, La Mesa, Murrieta, and Oceanside | 760-274-3160 | holdentimelessbeauty.com
faces of sd – KDD Philanthropy
Kathy Drucquer Duff is an expert in advancement and leadership development with clients around the world. She founded KDD Philanthropy after a career that included leadership positions at San Diego State University, Sharp Healthcare, and UC San Diego, where she built teams, crafted strategy, and led fundraising successes. In these roles, she honed her approach to supporting staff and building teams devoted to creating a better, more generous world.
Kathy and her team of coaches and consultants work with universities and health care and nonprofit organizations to quickly assess the client’s landscape, identify needs, engage with employees, and provide tools to build a culture of philanthropic excellence. They believe the best move an advancement leader can make is to invest in the people who carry out the work of inspiring and securing philanthropy every day.
Contact KDD Philanthropy today to learn about its trainings, webinars, and coaching services to support fundraising success and sustainability!
San Diego, CA | 858-243-5813 | kddphilanthropy.com
Faces SD – Nisha Bunke
Driven by a passion for medicine and a dedication to improving patients’ quality of life, Dr. Nisha Bunke is the first physician in the United States to hold a fellowship in venous and lymphatic medicine.
Dr. Bunke is renowned in her field, having coedited The Vein Book, medicine’s leading resource on venous disease. She also invented RECOVA, the first all-natural postsurgical bruise remedy. Under her leadership, the facility was the first dedicated vein center in the region to earn accreditation in vein center and vascular testing by the prestigious Intersocietal Accreditation Commission.
“My vision for La Jolla Vein Care is to collaborate with other experts to provide comprehensive specialty vein care in a comfortable setting,” she says. “Our focus is on conducting clinical research, teaching clinicians, and educating patients about venous disease and treatment options.”
9850 Genesee Avenue, Suite 410 La Jolla, CA 92037 | 858-550-0330 | lajollaveincare.com
Faces of SD – Latitude 33
Casey Miller, Solomon Short
Flying for business or pleasure has never been more challenging, and interest in private jet travel is at an all-time high. Many people are unsure of how to fly privately until they connect with Latitude 33 Aviation. Headquartered in San Diego since 2006, Latitude 33 Aviation is committed to investing in long-term relationships. We have meticulously designed our customer experience to cater to the specific needs of private jet aircraft owners and charter clients in San Diego and all along the West Coast. We are an industry- recognized expert delivering professional, full-service charter and management services while maintaining a safety, security, and customer service record that is unparalleled in the industry. Whether you are a current jet owner, a frequent charter flyer, or simply looking to gain more information about flying privately, Latitude 33 Aviation is the clear choice.
2100 Palomar Airport Road, Suite 211 Carlsbad, CA 92011 | 760-385-3610 | L33Jets.com
Faces of SD – Marsh McLennan
Marsh McLennan Agency
As CEO of San Diego’s largest insurance broker, Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA), Chris Williams is focused on two priorities: The well-being of the firm’s employees and supporting clients as they adapt to a new working world. “Our colleagues have shown more resiliency than I knew was possible, as have our clients,” he says. “It’s been fuel for me as a leader to focus on how we can build a limitless future for both our colleagues and our community.” Williams believes that as work environments evolve toward remote or hybrid work, employers have a responsibility to rethink how they take care of their people. This means finding new ways to collaborate and connect, prioritizing giving back to the community, and supporting mental health. Marsh McLennan Agency provides innovative business insurance, employee benefits, and retirement solutions to organizations across California.
9171 Towne Centre Drive Suite 100 San Diego, CA 92122 | 1-800-321-4696 | marshmma.com
Faces of SD – Orangetheory
Orangetheory Fitness is a one-hour, full- body workout focused on training endurance, strength, and power. Now introducing the Transformation Challenge: Starting on January 17, Orangetheory Fitness San Diego is hosting an eight-week challenge to kick-start your new year and get you in the best shape of your life! This fitness challenge is the perfect opportunity to see your body and mind change in ways you’ve never imagined. Get stronger, faster, happier, and healthier. Now is the time to get the most out of your life—and while you’re at it, the chance to win cash and other prizes! Registration begins January 1, 2022, for all 15 San Diego locations. Register at orangetheory.com.
Encinitas | Poway | Point Loma | Carmel Valley | Bankers Hill | Carlsbad | La Mesa | Del Sur | Solana Beach | Eastlake | La Costa | San Marcos | UTC | La Jolla | Mission Valley | East Village — Coming Soon!
FRONT ROW: Jona Hattangadi* (Radiation Oncology), Farris Sandhu*# (Internal Medicine), Pamela Sawhney# (Family Medicine), Bindu Singhal# (Internal Medicine), Jyoti Mayadev* (Radiation Oncology), Hetal Hosalkar* (Anesthesiology), Preeti Sonni Mehta# (Internal Medicine) MIDDLE ROW: Sameer Gupta# (Allergy and Immunology), Maneesh Bawa* (Orthopedic Spine), Nikunj Patel* (Radiology), Paritosh Khanna*# (Radiology), Venu Prabhakar*# (Internal Medicine), Harish Hosalkar*# (Orthopedic Surgery) BACK ROW: Deepak Asudani* (Internal Medicine), Sandip Patel* (Medical Oncology), Arun Venkat* (Dermatology), Ajay Sandhu* (Radiation Oncology), Parag Agnihotri* (Geriatrics)*Top Doctor, #Office Bearer
SAPI is a nonprofit community of Indian physicians from San Diego that believes in camaraderie, cohesiveness, and the power of ideas to change the face of medicine and health care through multiple pillars: mentoring, networking, education, and collaboration.
SAPI has taken on a mission of new growth and visibility in the Indian physician community, to reflect their critical contributions to medicine, research, technology, and business in the San Diego region.
SAPI members are represented in all the health care systems of San Diego as well as neighborhing counties, encompassing a vibrant and energetic group of successful physicians from the academic world and private practice alike. Bimonthly meetings involve excellent educational content, lectures, panel discussions, and debates; social events include Holi celebrations, Diwali meets, Halloween parties, and New Year’s bonanzas.
We invite all Indian physicians and clinical affiliates in San Diego to join and help us in our mission.
SAPI—TOP DOCTORS 2021 AND OFFICE BEARERS 2021 www.sapisd.org
Faces of SD – Savvy Interiors
Savvy Interiors
Savvy Interiors strives to be “simply exceptional.” As a San Diego–based remodeling and interior design firm with nearly 20 years of experience, they’ve managed projects from design to build to furnish for a wide range of clients. Savvy Interiors has curated a talented team of designers, trade professionals, and vendors. “We’ve developed a unique process from extensive client discovery to final implementation,” says Susan Wintersteen, owner and creative director. “Although complex behind the scenes, the process is simple and enjoyable for our clients. As the only San Diego design firm with a general contractor’s license, we have a unique ability to ensure that all facets of a client’s project—from home architecture to the use of spaces—are combined to create good design.”
With Savvy Interiors, your design project can be simple and exceptional.
971 C Lomas Santa Fe Solana Beach, CA 92075 | 858-735-6735 | savvyinteriors.com
Faces of SD – Solar Rainwater
Famous Ramona Water and Solar Rain Bottled Water Company
Bjarne “BJ” Kjaer and his business partner, Eric Pellaton, founded Solar Rain in 2010 with an earth-friendly mission: Democratize clean water for the world by converting ocean water to drinking water by using solar thermal energy, the same method that nature itself uses. There’s no greener way to produce drinking water. Now, three delicious Solar Rain waters are available: Solar Rain Ocean, pHerfect, and CBD Organics.
Later, this dynamic duo purchased Famous Ramona Water, a family-owned local bottled water company. Famous Ramona Water has been around for nearly half a century and makes several amazing waters, including its gold-medal-winning spring water straight from the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Look for both Solar Rain and Famous Ramona Water in all of your favorite local stores. And keep an eye out: Soon you’ll be able to order delivery to your home and business too!
29219 Juba Road Valley Center, CA 92082 | 760-751-8867 | solarrainwatery.com
Sunnen Law
While the phrase “every problem has a solution” may seem like a glib response to a serious situation, at Sunnen Law it is a guiding principle. Founder Christopher J. Sunnen ensures each client’s needs come first, and their issues—emotional, legal, financial, and more—are addressed either before the courts or with the appropriate professionals. Sunnen Law is a full-service family law firm and has an established track record in high-conflict family law matters, complex litigation matters, and crossover areas of practice, such as bankruptcy and tax matters in federal court. Additionally, as a family-owned practice with Rosemarie Sunnen leading the staff, Sunnen Law takes a team-oriented approach to fight for clients’ best interests. With an extraordinary success rate, the firm continues to solve problems in these difficult times and offers a free consultation over
the phone
2121 Fifth Avenue, #205 San Diego, CA 92101 | 619-255-9551 | sunnen-law.com
Faces of SD – Swinerton
Two venerable institutions got their start back in 1888: Hotel del Coronado and Swinerton Builders. Now they’ve found a special kind of synergy: Swinerton, a premier commercial construction firm, is leading the expansion project at the treasured Hotel Del property. “We’re thrilled to help another San Diego institution leap into the future,” says division manager Mike Berryhill, who oversees local projects. “We’re diversified in a wide range of commercial construction, from hospitals and schools to apartments, hotels, research facilities, and more.”
Swinerton, which has offices from Hawai‘i to New York City, is devoted to embracing innovations and taking on new challenges. “We’re employee owned, which encourages a collaborative environment. Everyone is looking out for each other and our clients,” Berryhill says. “While our job is to work with raw materials, we know that strong relationships are the most important key to success.”
16798 West Bernardo Drive San Diego, CA 92127 | 858-622-4040 | swinerton.com
Faces of SD – UCSD
If you have battled depression and been unsuccessful with traditional treatments, you are not alone. About one third of adults with depression do not respond adequately to antidepressants and talk therapy.
Under the leadership of Jeff Daskalakis, MD, PhD, an international expert in brain stimulation, UC San Diego Health’s Interventional Psychiatry Clinic offers a groundbreaking depression treatment for adults 18 and older known as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS is a noninvasive therapy that causes little to no discomfort. It uses a magnetic field to activate areas of the brain associated with severe depression. Essentially, the magnetic pulses help to restore functional brain activity, providing relief from the cycle of depression. As difficult as your journey may be, the experts at UC San Diego Health can help you on your path to recovery. Learn more today.
8950 Villa La Jolla Drive, Suite C101 La Jolla, CA 92037
Interventional Psychiatry Clinic 16918 Dove Canyon Road, Suite 100 Rancho Bernardo, CA 92127 | 858-207-0938 | health.ucsd.edu/tms
Faces of SD – A7D
A7D Creative Group is a unique San Diego creative agency that touches all points while strategically building brands and events through branding, marketing, social media, digital, and—a rare find—print.
This North Park agency has shifted the needle in the beverage, hospitality, retail, tourism, B2B, events, and economic development program sectors over the past 17 years with creative and results-driven campaigns.
Every brand has a story… Under the creative direction of Anna Hopkins, the A7D team is your team, sharing in your vision while defining your brand culture and elevating your customer experience.
2867 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104 | 619-574-6878 | www.a7d.design
Faces of SD – Advanced Estate Planning
Advanced Estate Planning is passionate about helping you with your financial future and serving our community with integrity and excellence. Advanced Estate Planning, founded by G. Wayne Plemons, began serving California residents 46 years ago. The current owner, who began studying under her nationally recognized father at age 14, Jamie A. Plemons, LDA, CEP®, CMPTM, speaks about their dedication to preserving your wealth: “We work to keep your hard-earned money in your family, where it belongs.” Advanced Estate PlanningTM’s strategies have been referred to in industry books and magazines. The company specializes in building a top-tier team around your specific needs and providing you with more of a holistic experience, taking into consideration all generations to come.
1455 Frazee Road, San Diego, CA 92108 | 619-581-9591 | advancedestateplanning.com
The annual event honors middle market companies creating jobs, scaling up, and investing in the region
San Diego is known for its startup culture and innovation economy, but what happens when the company moves beyond its early-stage years? The San Diego Business Impact Awards aim to answer that question, spotlighting the middle market businesses helping drive the region’s economy.
Hosted by San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and JPMorganChase, the second annual awards celebration takes place on Thursday, July 23, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Scripps Research Auditorium. More than 200 executives, entrepreneurs, and business leaders are expected to attend the networking and cocktail event honoring some of San Diego County’s fastest-growing companies.
Businesses headquartered in San Diego County that have operated for at least two years are encouraged to submit their nomination by Thursday, June 18 at 4 p.m. Companies across industries—from technology and life sciences to tourism and consumer products, as well as pre-revenue startups—are eligible for recognition.
For EDC President and CEO Mark Cafferty, the event is as much about building connections as celebrating success. “We’ve had a longtime partnership with JPMorganChase; their work aligns with our efforts to support underserved communities and drive talent development,” says Cafferty. “And the networking was invaluable last year. I’m still in touch with people I met at last year’s awards.”
EDC is an independently-funded nonprofit that works directly with San Diego companies to help them grow the local economy, make the region as a whole more competitive, and attract and retain top-tier talent with quality jobs. Through EDC, companies can get help starting or expanding their business with support for things like site selection, permit navigation, and regulatory guidance, plus connections to local resources and potential business collaborators.
The San Diego Business Impact Awards began as an idea with one of EDC’s longtime strategic partners, JPMorganChase. The two organizations share a commitment to San Diego and are dedicated to bolstering middle market businesses.
“We’re blessed with a robust innovation economy and startup community,” says Aaron Ryan, San Diego Region Manager for JPMorgan’s Commercial and Investment Bank and vice chair of the firm’s’ San Diego Market Leadership Team. “But one of the segments of the business community we felt was overlooked was emerging middle market companies—the businesses that are no longer small but not yet large.”
Ryan says supporting those companies is critical as they scale and decide where to invest, hire, and grow.
San Diego’s high cost of living remains one of the region’s biggest business challenges, making talent recruitment and retention increasingly competitive. But local leaders point to the region’s quality of life, climate, and collaborative business community as advantages that continue to attract employers and workers.
“In order to support thriving households, there has to be enough high-quality jobs for people to be able to afford to live here,” Cafferty says. “Once a company grows and excels past that middle market point in their growth cycle, they become much more likely to pay higher wages and compete globally.”
Both Cafferty and Ryan proudly tout the unique collaboration that exists among San Diego County businesses. Bringing together top universities producing high-quality talent, cutting-edge research institutions, a robust military and defense presence, leading ocean science and environmental organizations, and a binational, cross-border identity creates a distinct business ecosystem that defines and strengthens the San Diego region.
Last year’s San Diego Business Impact Awards celebrated nearly 60 honorees from 49 industries, representing a total of 8,232 jobs across eight sectors, including: software and technology, healthcare and life sciences, consumer goods, professional services, finance, construction and manufacturing, defense, and hospitality and tourism. On average, honoree companies doubled their revenues over the previous year, employed more than 145 San Diegans each, and offered an average annual compensation of $192,415.
Top honorees included defense contractor Innoflight, environmental consulting firm Bancroft Construction Services, life sciences startup Element Biosciences, defense technology contractor GALT Aerospace, organic grocery store chain Jimbo’s, and biopharmaceutical company LENZ Therapeutics. During the event, Innoflight Founder and CEO Jeff Janicik held a fireside chat offering his insights on investing in the community and embracing San Diego culture.
This year, organizers hope to continue highlighting the middle market players driving economic impact across the region. Nominations are now open through June 18 at 4 p.m. Get your tickets to the San Diego Business Impact Awards celebration to enjoy drinks by Snake Oil Cocktail Co., light bites, live music, and networking.
Scripps study shows that some patients may be able to taper their dose and maintain results
While glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agents have been used to treat Type 2 diabetes for more than 20 years, their recent emergence as weight-loss wonder drugs marked a new frontier in medicine. But their effectiveness has left some patients wondering what to do once they’ve reached their goal. Stopping the medication could mean regaining some, if not all, of the weight. A Scripps Clinic internal medicine physician recently conducted a small study of whether GLP-1 patients who had reached their goal weight could maintain that weight by taking their regularly prescribed injection every other week instead of weekly. Spoiler alert: 30 of 34 patients did. Read more about the study here and what that may mean as pharmaceutical companies roll out oral GLP-1s.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
San Diego Magazine's 2026 Guide to Balboa Park.
Balboa Park is San Diego’s cultural heart.
The iconic 1,200-acre preserve’s history dates back more than 150 years, evolving from a scrub-filled plot atop a mesa overlooking what’s now Downtown to an urban oasis—the largest of its kind in the country—filled with an array of museums, attractions, gardens, trails, restaurants, and more. Balboa Park is an epic playground where San Diegans and visitors alike can experience the great outdoors just as easily as they can enjoy a world-class performance or explore groundbreaking discoveries.
Tucked away in the Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture are 18 diverse museums that allow visitors to spend the day learning about, well, anything. A great place to start is the San Diego History Center. Located in the Casa del Balboa building, the museum tells the story of the city’s past, present, and future through photographs and art, clothing and textiles, and interviews with people who witnessed history-making events firsthand. The San Diego Natural History Museum takes visitors even farther back with interactive exhibitions that show what the region was like up to 75 million years ago.
Blast off on a simulated trip to space at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, then check out artifacts from aviation legends, including the Wright brothers, Amelia Earhart, and Buzz Aldrin. Discover new perspectives revolutionizing the science world, learn about an often overlooked but overutilized utility, and exercise your creativity at the Fleet Science Center.
Calling all theater-lovers, Balboa Park has something for you, too. The San Diego Junior Theatre will present their musical take on beloved children’s book A Bad Case of the Stripes from June 26 through July 12. And laugh, cry, and marvel in awe as the pros of The Old Globe perform Kim’s Convenience, the award-winning comedy that inspired the popular series, from May 15 to June 14.
There’s nowhere else in Balboa Park quite like WorldBeat Cultural Center. The institution celebrates African diaspora and indigenous cultures around the world using art, music, dance, and education. The building, a renovated water tower covered in colorful murals, houses a performing arts center, museum, gift shop, cafe, and outdoor classroom.
If you’d like a side of nature with your culture, Balboa Park has you covered there, too. Stroll through the gardens of the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum, a monument to the relationship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama, Japan. Inspired by traditional Japanese design dating back centuries, the 10-acre respite features a living exhibition that showcases plants native to both cities.
If there seems like a lot going on in Balboa Park, it’s because there is. Let the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership be your guide. The organization is the umbrella for 24 of the park’s institutions and offers an Explorer Pass that allows visitors to access multiple museums for one affordable price. The hardest part is picking where to start.
Save on admission to San Diego’s top museums with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. Explore 16 museums of art, science, history and culture across Balboa Park — all with one affordable pass. Choose the option that fits your pace: the Limited Pass (one day for up to four museums), the Parkwide Pass (seven consecutive days of access to all 16 museums) or the Annual Pass (365 days of unlimited exploring).
Looking for an experience-driven gift? Let the museum lover in your life enjoy their favorite museums all year with a Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass gift voucher.
BuyMyExplorer.com | Phone: 619-232-7502, Press 2 for Explorer
Bigger experiments, brighter ideas, and boundless curiosity await at the newly reimagined Fleet Science Center. This summer, the Fleet debuts Element 8 Cafe, an expanded theater queuing and concessions space, two new gallery spaces, and, for the first time, a free entrance gallery exploring science in and around San Diego. The transformation marks a new chapter for the Fleet, keeping it a vital, innovative, and accessible science hub for the region. Visitors are invited to explore the experience this summer and connect with the power of science like never before.
Address: 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: FleetScience.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Phone: 619-238-1233
An accredited cultural gem, the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum brings traditional Japanese garden design to life with koi ponds, curving walkways and layers of greenery. Guests explore bonsai trees, streams and peaceful nooks while taking part in exhibits, educational programs and festivals that illuminate Japanese culture. Situated in the heart of Balboa Park, the garden doubles as a meditative retreat and a dynamic gathering place, welcoming visitors to slow their pace and connect more deeply.
Address: 2215 Pan American Road E, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: Niwa.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; last admission at 6 p.m.
Phone: 619-232-2721
A San Diego summer favorite, The Old Globe invites audiences to experience a beloved local tradition in its outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre.
This summer, the 2026 Shakespeare Festival presents two thrilling tales of power, passion and romance. Measure for Measure, running June 14 through July 12, 2026, is a riveting story of justice and hypocrisy that asks who holds power, who is punished and what it truly means to be virtuous. Much Ado About Nothing, playing Aug. 2–30, 2026, is a classic rom-com packed with schemes, sparks and laughter as opposites attract. Audiences can enjoy both shows for $44.
Address: 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: TheOldGlobe.org
Hours: Box office open Tuesday–Sunday, 1 p.m. to final curtain
Phone: Box office, 619-234-5623
Aviation and space exploration come to life at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. See an airworthy replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, a Gee Bee racer and historic aircraft from World War I, World War II and the Korean and Vietnam eras. Get up close to the Apollo 9 command module — one of only 11 of its kind in the world — along with Mercury and Gemini capsules, Mission Control and space shuttle simulators, and a selfie spot beside a lunar lander on the moon. Running through 2026, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brings oddities from around the world to Balboa Park.
Address: 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SanDiegoAirAndSpace.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-234-8291
History belongs to everyone. At the San Diego History Center, two experiences bring that history to life this summer: America at 250 and the Center for Women’s History. America at 250 traces San Diego’s place in 250 years of U.S. history, while summer programs invite children to learn and explore. The Center for Women’s History amplifies the voices of women whose leadership and creativity have shaped our region.
By understanding our past, we build a more vibrant and inclusive community together. These vital educational experiences are only possible through generous community support. Discover your roots, spark meaningful dialogue, and help keep San Diego’s stories alive for future generations.
Address: 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SanDiegoHistory.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday
Phone: 619-232-6203
Junior Theatre is San Diego’s longest-running youth theatre program, empowering students ages 4 to 18 to explore storytelling, performance, and collaboration in a supportive environment. Through classes, camps, and productions, young artists build confidence, creativity, and lifelong skills onstage and off. Each season features a wide range of opportunities, from introductory experiences to advanced training in acting and musical theatre.
Looking for a summer adventure? Junior Theatre’s Summer Camps deliver dynamic programs for grades K–12, including musical theater intensives, acting academies and immersive JT Studio experiences. It’s a place where imagination truly takes center stage.
Address: 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: JuniorTheatre.com
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-239-1311
This summer, The Nat is talking trash—literally. Their newest exhibition, Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea, features larger‑than‑life marine sculptures made of ocean debris collected from beaches. It invites visitors to explore the impact of plastic pollution and discover ways to take action.
But the experience doesn’t stop at the gallery doors. Friday nights, the exhibition transforms into an ocean-themed “dive bar” during Nat at Night. Select Sundays bring something brand new: a rooftop brunch with sweeping Balboa Park views. Add two new giant-screen films and five floors of nature to explore, and The Nat is shaping up to be one of the season’s must-visit destinations.
Address: 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SDNat.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays in summer
Phone: 619-232-3821
The WorldBeat Cultural Center is a nonprofit multidisciplinary cultural organization dedicated to promoting, presenting and preserving Indigenous cultures worldwide through music, art, dance, education, sustainability and community programs. WorldBeat elevates multicultural artists, expands opportunities for cultural enrichment and fosters deeper understanding across traditions. WorldBeat offers a holistic cultural experience that inspires pride, unity, connection and belonging for all ages.
Address: 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Website: WorldBeatCenter.org
Hours: Classes: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 6–9 p.m. Exhibits and café: Friday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Phone: 619-230-1190
Step into a world of the weird and wonderful at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park. Explore hundreds of bizarre artifacts, interactive displays and unbelievable stories that celebrate the curious and the extraordinary.
San Diego Air & Space Museum | 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Presented in partnership with the San Diego Museum of African American Fine Arts, San Diego’s Lost Neighborhoods uses augmented reality, oral histories, and archival materials to explore communities and residents displaced by redlining, freeway construction, and other discriminatory policies.
San Diego History Center | 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101
Spend a summer night at The Old Globe. The Lowell Davies Festival Theatre stages Measure for Measure (June 14–July 12) and Much Ado About Nothing (Aug. 2–30), offering two unforgettable Shakespeare productions for just $44.
The Old Globe | 1363 Old Globe Way,
San Diego, CA 92101
Summer camps at Junior Theatre spark creativity for grades K–12 with hands-on training, musical theatre intensives, acting academies, and JT Studio experiences.
San Diego Junior Theatre | 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101
A museum visit turns into a Sunday Funday with the addition of rooftop brunch, featuring mimosas, bloody Marys, and brunch bites from Wolfish by Wolf in the Woods (June 14, August 9) and Hash House a Go Go (July 12).
San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Celebrate Juneteenth weekend with guided birding, storytelling, soul food, native planting and an African peace drum circle.
WorldBeat Cultural Center | 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Nagashi at the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum by floating a lantern to honor loved ones who have passed. Stroll merchant booths, enjoy cultural performances in the Inamori Pavilion, and sample food vendors plus a beer and sake garden in the lower garden.
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum | 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101
Explore arts, science, history, and culture in the Balboa Park Cultural District with one convenient, affordable Pass. The Balboa Park Explorer Pass is your ticket to up to 16 museums and endless fun! Purchase your pass at BuyMyExplorer.com.
Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.
La Gran Terraza, the University of San Diego’s signature restaurant, has been a campus favorite for over 16 years, offering California cuisine with a Mediterranean twist. This summer, its gastropub, O’Toole’s, is open for evening service —perfect for sunset bites and drinks.
At the helm is chef Marbi Becerra, a Culinary Institute of America alum with roots in the US and Mexico. She now leads culinary operations for La Gran Terraza and USD Catering, bringing bold Mediterranean flavors and a fresh perspective.
Seared Scallops: With charred broccolini oyster mushrooms corn puree herb cherry tomatoes and chimichurri
5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, California 92110
619-849-8205 | lagranterraza.com | @eatatusd
Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.
Labora Café offers so much more than premium ceremonial-grade matcha; it’s a lifestyle café where people come to feel more energized, inspired, and connected to their community. Labora partners with retailers and lifestyle brands, from local Pilates instructors to Neiman Marcus, so there’s always something new to learn about or browse when you’re here. As for the drinks, whether you’re thinking matcha or Vietnamese coffee with a specialty house-made foam on top, expect a natural pick-me-up, without extra sugars or syrups.
Pistachio 54: Pistachio foam layered with a slow drip Viet coffee or Matcha
8055 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Suite 101, San Diego, California 92111
858-471-6970 | laboracafe.com | @laborasd
Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.
Happy Medium lives in the sweet spot: not too fancy, not too gritty. Think dive bar soul with cocktail bar standards. It’s the kind of place where you can grab a beer and a shot, a fancy cocktail, plus a killer spirits list. The menu includes all the best bar classics along with elevated plates. Some would call it a “happy medium.” With your favorite B-side tracks always playing in the background, Happy Medium is the ultimate neighborhood hangout spot.
Lava Flowgroni: Pineapple gin layered with strawberry Campari, banana vermouth and coconut, served over crushed party ice.
4002 30th Street, San Diego, California 92104
619-310-5642 | happymediumsd.com
