Threads of Change

Join us for Threads of Change – Breaking Barriers, Weaving Community, and Bridging our Future, brought to you by The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego, the County of San Diego, the City of San Diego, and RISE San Diego. This half-day of connection and reflection invites those working to create more just and caring communities to engage in meaningful conversations that move us toward collective action and well-being.

This event is for community builders, changemakers, and those committed to co-creating a more inclusive and thriving San Diego County—and for all who care deeply about the future of our region.

Together, we will explore the challenges and opportunities of creating systems where everyone can thrive. Threads of Change is a collaborative space designed to nourish your spirit, spark new ideas, and strengthen the relationships that carry this work forward. We invite you to pause, connect, and imagine what’s possible—because the work of care and justice is better when we do it together.

We are thrilled to have the following leaders serve as speakers throughout the day:

• Kim Desmond, Chief Equity Officer at International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
• Pamela Gray-Payton, Chief Impact and Partnerships Officer at San Diego Foundation
• Dr. Perla Myers, Director of the Jacobs Institute for Innovations in Education / Professor of Mathematics at the University of San Diego
• Dominic Porter, Executive Director at RISE San Diego
• Alexis Villanueva, President of City Heights Community Development Corporation

Dr. Roxanne Kymaani, Senior Equity Leadership Consultant, National Equity Project, will serve as our panel moderator.

This gathering is designed for community builders, changemakers, and those working toward a thriving and inclusive San Diego County. We encourage participation from those that are local to the County of San Diego and welcome all who care deeply about the future of our region and are committed to meaningful conversations and collective action.

To create an intentional and engaged space, we ask participants to:

✅ Arrive on time and stay for the full event

✅ Engage with openness and respect

✅ Be ready to connect, share, and listen

Parking on Friday will be free within Balboa Park. We recommend parking in the lots near Presidents Way and Pan American Plaza. There will be an art space and space for rest, and we encourage you to bring a comfortable blanket, pillow, or mat.

This event is free to attend, but space is limited. Please register in advance to secure your spot. If registration is full, join our waitlist!

Please email us at T0VSSiB8IHNkY291bnR5ICEgY2EgISBnb3Y= with your questions.

Also check out other Arts events in San Diego.