It seems that ever since you joined Downtown San Diego Partnership two years ago, you are rocking it. What drives you? San Diego and the people here. I am so passionate about our city, especially when we see the potential and what we could be. I looked at what the organization could be, not what it was. I am very lucky to have a supportive board. I am a get-it-done person, happier when we are being productive.
When you were recruited by DSDP, you were chief of staff for Mayor Sanders. Was it difficult to leave that position? Yes, because I have always been very fond of Jerry—but I knew he had a great team in place, and my leaving would not even be a blip. He was a bit angry at first, but he got over it. We are still friends.
Women are the majority of your staff. Is that intentional? No, I seek out talent, not [only] women. Every person has a place on the team. You have to play people in their right positions. Larry Lucchino taught me that, when I worked for the Padres to facilitate the campaign and entitlements for the downtown ballpark.
What keeps you awake at night? Are we doing enough? Are we doing the right thing? How can we do better? I worked for Mayor Susan Golding for four years as deputy chief of staff. I learned the ability to understand how to get something done. What’s the workaround? Have you looked 360 degrees?
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment since joining DSDP? Really, the accomplishments are the staff and the team. Developing the strategic plan, setting a new course for downtown and beginning to implement. Homelessness is a huge issue in San Diego. We have a Work Your Way Home program. We have already sent 50 people home to their families, and we will continue to get people off the streets.
What are the drawbacks? Limited budget and limited staff. Our organization is very small for what we do.
What is DSDP’s vision for the future? Our population will increase by 1.3 million people in the next 40 years. This growth requires 400,000 housing units and 500,000 jobs. A significant number will be urbanites. My passion is to create a downtown attractive to millennials and to have a clean and safe downtown 24/7.
What other organizations are you involved with? I serve on the boards of the San Diego County Convention & Visitors Bureau, San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, United Way, and San Diego Foundation Regional Vision Group, plus several other organizations where I hold membership. I also serve on the Ending Homelessness Leadership Team.
Who is your hero? Definitely my mom. I am the oldest of eight children. She not only worked outside the home, but she raised her family as well. She taught me wonderful life lessons.
What impact has Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg had on the advancement of women? I believe you can have it all. You just have to define what you want. There are always compromises in life. I communicate this to my employees as well. When I was working in Mayor Susan Golding’s office, I had two pregnant women I did not want to lose. I took a back office and turned it into a nursery. They were able to continue to work and take care of their babies as well.
How do you avoid burnout? Weekends at our beach cottage in South Mission. We ride bikes, no makeup, wear shorts and flip-flops. My nieces and nephews visit for weekends, and we all BBQ together. We completely relax. My dog, Cody, is the mayor of South Mission.
What is your future? Hopefully I will always be here, working for San Diego and making it a better place.
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Studio S
SEPTEMBER 11, 2026
Vi at La Jolla Village – Senior Living in the Heart of Everything
At Vi at La Jolla Village, residents don't have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.
Today’s seniors are more connected than ever, with a renewed focus on retirement as a time of discovery and enriching experiences. The ultimate reward for a retirement well-earned is the wisdom to appreciate it all, and what better place to enjoy that unique perspective than Vi at La Jolla Village, in the heart of San Diego.
All-access pass to good living.
As a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), Vi provides access to a connected and fulfilling community while making it easy to plan for future care, should the need ever arise. With a care plan in place, residents enjoy greater financial predictability and long-term value, freeing them to focus on making the most out of retirement.
Resort-style amenities at the epicenter of a cultural hub like San Diego offer a retirement experience unlike any other. Paired with exceptional dining, spacious accommodations and dedicated staff, the best of maintenance-free living is all around. And with the introduction of Vista 360 Well-Being, Vi’s panoramic approach to wellness, there are more ways than ever for residents to access it all.
The harmony of mind, body and community.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
The key to longevity is striking the right balance in maintaining an active lifestyle with an active mind in a fulfilling community. With newly renovated community spaces and restaurants, Vista brings a variety of opportunities for residents to elevate their well-being through Vi-exclusive “Signature Experiences.”
Vista Enrich takes an evidence-based approach to brain vitality, keeping residents at the forefront of cognitive health through exergaming (exercising + gaming), nutritional plans and informative workshops. It is also home to The Brain Vitality Studio, an innovative facility dedicated to cognitive fitness that has garnered national recognition.
Vista Discover invites residents into stimulating educational experiences, from chef-led cooking demos and guided wine tastings to lectures at local universities and intimate lectures following cultural outings.
While Vista Enrich focuses on brain health and Vista Discover engages residents intellectually, Vista Explore cultivates a sense of adventure through curated travel and local excursions. But broadening one’s horizons doesn’t always require a plane ticket. One recent event brought a taste of the world right to the community: an onsite “jazz cruise” featuring live music and global cuisine served at a series of themed “ports” all within the community’s own ballroom.
“Location, location, location”
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
One of the biggest perks of life at Vi at La Jolla Village is its proximity to just about everything. With easy access to transportation and local attractions just steps away, residents can explore and engage with their community at their own pace.
“There are trolley and bus stops within a 5-minute walk that will get you to the beach, UCSD Campus, medical appointments, downtown La Jolla or San Diego, et cetera. We rarely use our car,” said resident Tom Yager.
With the best of San Diego just steps away, residents don’t just live in the city, they live within reach of everything that makes it special.
The best of all worlds.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
At Vi at La Jolla Village, retirement isn’t a chapter to slow down; it’s an invitation to discover more. Tailored community experiences created by Vista, paired with the vibrant pulse of San Diego just outside the door, mean that residents don’t have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.
This is what an all-access pass to good living looks like: the comforts of an elevated lifestyle, a community built for growth and a city made for discovery – all in one place.
To learn more about Vi at La Jolla Village or for details on available floor plans, visit ViatLaJollaVillage.com/SDM.
Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
Unio Specialty Care is a multi-specialty practice specializing in urology, gastroenterology, and radiation oncology.
Unio’s Radiation Oncology team—Dr. Donald B. Fuller, Dr. Tahir Ijaz, Dr. Reza Shirazi, and Dr. Siavosh Vakilian—combines extensive clinical experience with a commitment to personalized cancer care. The RO team treats cancerous and non-cancerous conditions using precision therapies including SBRT, IGRT, and the CyberKnife® S7 System, the only system of its kind in Southern California. Their expertise spans prostate, breast, lung, gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and central nervous system cancers, as well as low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis.
In 2026, Dr. Shirazi and Dr. Vakilian were recognized as San Diego Top Doctors, joining Dr. Fuller and Dr. Ijaz, who have previously received this distinction.
Faces of Healthcare 2026: San Diego Fertility Center
Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
Susanna Park, MD; Sandy Chuan, MD; Brooke Friedman, MD; Said Daneshmand, MD; Valerie Flores, MD; Bryn Willson, MD
At San Diego Fertility Center, parenthood starts with personalized, cutting-edge care. Nationally recognized physicians offer individualized plans spanning IVF, PGT, egg donation, surrogacy, Gentle IVF, fertility preservation, and LGBTQ+ family building. Newsweek ranked them among America’s Best Fertility Clinics in 2026: top 6% of 450+ clinics nationwide, and best in San Diego.
“Remind yourself you are not alone! You don’t have to have all the answers before you walk through the door,” says Dr. Friedman. “Our job is to listen, explain your options, and guide you toward what makes sense for you. Because fertility care isn’t one-size-fits-all — and building your family should feel like your journey, supported every step of the way.”
Faces of Healthcare 2026: North County Cardiovascular Specialists
Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
At NCCS, both doctors take a personal, traditional approach to cardiovascular care. Patients speak directly with their physicians and build lasting relationships with doctors who know them.
“We became doctors to care for patients, not to run a business,” says Dr. Kabra, who trained in England and the United States and leads the practice’s office-based cardiac care. Dr. Rajamanickam, an interventional cardiologist trained under renowned Dr. Samin Sharma, shares the same philosophy.
Guided by evidence-based medicine, they tailor care to each patient’s unique history, physiology, lifestyle and goals. Both are respected, well-reviewed physicians and four-time Top Doctors.
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3142 Vista Way, Oceanside, CA 92056 4002 Vista Way, Oceanside, CA 92056 760-224-7776
Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
Community health is about more than just vaccines and checkups, At Neighborhood Healthcare, patients receive whole-person care, giving them access to the resources they need to live their best lives—whether that’s primary care, pediatrics, dental care, behavioral health, lab services, or pharmacy needs.
Neighborhood Healthcare is a private, non-profit community health organization in San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. Primary Care Physician James H. Schultz, MD goes above and beyond in serving people with high integrity, professionalism, and collaboration. Alongside the entire Neighborhood Healthcare staff, he works to improve the health and happiness of the community, regardless of situation or circumstance.
Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
Dr. Elona is the founder of Inspire Smiles, a high-end, concierge-style dental practice. She is a cosmetic and rehabilitative dentist whose career reflects a rare combination of clinical excellence, systems-driven practice growth, and a deeply integrated wellness philosophy.
Beyond private practice, Dr. Elona is the founder of Inspire Changes, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to restoring the smiles, health, and dignity of human trafficking survivors. Over the past seven years, the organization has contributed more than $500,000 in donated dental care.
Dr. Elona’s career represents a comprehensive model of modern dentistry—where clinical mastery, intentional business systems, personal development, and social responsibility intersect to create meaningful, lasting impact.
