2023 Conference Speakers

Vice President of Urban Development, Main Street America
SESSION: Keynote and Q&A: The importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on our Main Streets
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As Vice President of Urban Development, Dionne plays a key leadership role to expand technical service offerings to neighborhood commercial districts, lead the retention and growth of MSA City Coordinating Programs, the Big City Network and designated neighborhood commercial districts. Specifically, Dionne works to build economically vibrant neighborhood commercial districts and community leaders through the Center’s Signature 4-point Approach. Prior to this role Dionne served as the Director of UrbanMain an initiative developed by the Center six years ago to broaden its offerings and engagement in city neighborhood commercial districts. Dionne is passionate about Racial Justice and Equitable outcomes for underrepresented communities.

California Policy Director, Small Business Majority
SESSION: New California Policies and Guidelines for Businesses
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Bianca manages Small Business Majority’s legislative efforts statewide and outreach efforts in Northern California. She serves as liaison to the Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy (JEDE) Committee in the California state legislature and on the Steering Committee for the California Asset Building Coalition (CABC), on an outreach advisory group for Covered California, and on the Board of California Main Street (CAMS).

Prior to joining Small Business Majority, Bianca served as a legislative aide on Capitol Hill for a member of the House Financial Services Committee. She lobbied for five years on healthcare, transportation, labor and trade issues in Washington, D.C.

Director, North San Diego SBDC hosted by MiraCosta College
SESSION: Entrepreneurship & B2B Pipeline
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Since 2007, Cheryl Brown has been engaged as an advisor with the Small Business Development Center Program providing support in pursuing opportunities with the various government entities. During that tenure, Mrs. Brown has supported over 3,500 small businesses resulting in over $800 million in contracts awarded to those small businesses. She has a bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship and an MBA in Organizational Leadership. In addition, Mrs. Brown is the owner of small service business with her family and a private consulting firm. Currently, Mrs. Brown is the Director of the North San Diego Small Business Development Center hosted by MiraCosta College.

Executive Director, Balboa Park Cultural Partnership
SESSION: All About Cultural Districts
https://www.linkedin.com/in/petercomiskey/LinkedIN

An Australian native, Comiskey has a long track record of bringing together diverse stakeholders to launch and operate public cultural and science programs on two continents.

Since 2008, he has served as the Executive Director of the Downtown Anaheim Association, a nonprofit group working with Anaheim city officials, Anaheim’s Redevelopment Agency, and multiple property owners to drive visitation of the city’s downtown precinct through developing and launching a number of major public events. Upon moving to the US in 1998, Peter assisted in the launch of Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana, and then led the US operations of an international tourist attractions group in Baltimore.

Returning to California in 2007, he became the founding Executive Director of Anaheim’s MUZEO Foundation, creating a unique model for regional cultural arts venues in the newly rejuvenated downtown Anaheim. Comiskey holds an MBA from the Anderson School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles, and bachelor’s degrees in business and education from Australian universities.

Representing California’s 74th District
SESSION: Opening Keynote
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Like so many, Laurie packed up everything and headed west in pursuit of the California Dream. Originally from Wisconsin, after graduating from high school and saving enough money to buy a Cutlass Supreme, Laurie moved to Southern California to attend Cal State Long Beach.

After earning her degree, Laurie planted roots in Orange County where she worked locally in the Restaurant and Hospitality sector. Two decades ago, she launched a small business specializing in wedding and special events that she successfully still operates today.

Over the course of nearly the last twenty years as an entrepreneur and small business owner, Laurie became active in the community. In recognition of her involvement in the community, she was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award from the Lions Club.

Laurie was first elected in 2012 to the Laguna Niguel City Council in 2012. She was appointed Mayor in 2015 and re-elected in 2016. During her time on the Council, Laurie served as a Board Member on the Transportation Corridor Agency, Chaired the League of Cities Committee on Transportation, Communication and Public Works, and was elected to the OCTA. Laurie served the Board of the Association of California Cities Orange County as President.

Laurie lives in Laguna Niguel with her husband, Neil.

Senior Program Officer and Director of California Programs
SESSION: Opening Keynote
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Amanda serves as the Director of Programs for California Main Street, administered by Main Street America.

She is the former Executive Director of the Richmond Main Street Initiative where she was responsible for producing large-scale community arts and entertainment events, developed an outreach strategy to implement the first and only Property Business Improvement District in the City of Richmond and helped to fill a long-standing vacancy at the Richmond BART garage with a new co-working business incubator, coffee shop, and restaurant.

Amanda has worked for a number of non-profit organizations including the Maynard Institute for Journalism Training, and the University of California, Berkeley Department of Dramatic Art. Amanda also worked as programs assistant at KQED (TV) and KOFY/TV20.

She is the recipient of community service awards from the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, the Black American Political Action Committee and Full Vision Arts Foundation. She serves as an Economic Development Commissioner for the City of Richmond.

Amanda is a graduate of St. Mary’s College with a master’s degree in organizational leadership. She also holds a BA in Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary studies from San Francisco State University.

President, California Main Street
Chief Operating Officer, Main Street Oceanside
SESSION: Opening Keynote
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My career as a Main Street professional started in 2006 as a non paid intern with the Vista Village Business Association. I graduated from San Diego State University as a Public Administration major with a minor in Spanish. The Main Street program is a volunteer-driven program that acts as a downtown business association. I was offered an opportunity at MainStreet Oceanside to re-implement the Main Street Program in 2013.

Our team has successfully implemented the national acclaim four-point approach with four standing Committees; Design, Promotion, Economic Vitality and Organization.

Founder & Lead Consultant, Farmers Market Pros
SESSION: Farmers Markets: Doing Well by Doing Good
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Catt Fields White has developed and managed farmers markets in Southern California for 15 years, including San Diego County’s largest weekly market in Little Italy. She is the founder of Farmers Market Pros, providing education and consulting to farmers markets throughout the US, Canada and beyond, and a host of Tent Talk, the weekly Farmers Market Podcast. Catt is a member of the Steering Committee for the California Alliance of Farmers Markets. She writes, speaks and advocates for farmers markets year round, rain or shine.

CEO and President, Visit Oceanside
SESSION: Working with your Travel and Tourism Bureaus
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Leslee has over 27 years of travel and tourism experience. Under her leadership, theOceanside tourism industry has experienced ten years of unprecedented growth, averaging seven percent year-over-year.  

Leslee has worked in partnership with the city on destination management initiatives that include the recent launch of Oceanside’s first sustainable tourism master plan.

Leslee currently serves on the Economic Development Commission, the Cal Travel board, Main Street Oceanside and Oceanside Chamber board among other committee leadership positions.

Economic Development Manager, City of Oceanside
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SESSION: Opening Remarks, Day 1

Michelle Geller has worked in the public sector since 2002, and has served as the economic development manager for the City of Oceanside since November 2019. Prior to that Michelle had the opportunity to work in a variety of local government roles including marketing and communications, federal grant administration, neighborhood outreach and business development for the cities of Escondido and Sunnyvale.

Michelle holds a bachelors’ degree in English from Chico State University and a Masters of Public Administration from Cal State Long Beach. Michelle serves on the boards of Visit Oceanside, MainStreet Oceanside and the San Diego North Economic Development Council, and is a member of the first cohort of Accredited California Economic Developers through Fresno State University.

Hailing from the Bay Area, Michelle lives in Oceanside with her husband and 13-year-old son.

Senior Director of Marketing Partnerships, San Diego Tourism Authority
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SESSION: Working with your Travel and Tourism Bureaus

After graduating with a BA in Social Science from San Diego State University Brian earned a single subject teaching credential and worked for several years in the classroom and on the court as a high school teacher and basketball coach.

Seeking new challenges and following his passions for San Diego and marketing, Brian joined the Marketing team at the San Diego Tourism Authority as an Interactive Content Editor in July of 2006 and quickly moved up in the organization.

In May of 2013 Brian was promoted to Director of Marketing Partnerships, responsible for generating the majority of the organization’s private source revenues, and managing multiple corporate partnerships, licensing, and created the landmark Tourism Accelerator program, as well as the SDTA’s industry events.

Brian is extremely active in the community serving on the Executive Board of the Sports San Diego - Holiday Bowl, California Restaurant Association – San Diego Chapter, and is a past president of the One Club for Creativity (formerly the San Diego Ad Club.) In 2022 Brian was awarded the Patti Roscoe Allied Person of the Year Award by the San Diego County Lodging Association for his efforts to support industry workers during Covid and for programs that support diverse small businesses in the county.

Director of Government Relations, Main Street America
SESSION: The Role of Advocacy in Advancing a Successful Main Street Program
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As the Director of Government Relations, Kelly leads Main Street America's (MSA) work to uplift the role of Main Street organizations to policy and decision makers. She works alongside MSA's 44 Main Street state, city, and country Coordinating Programs in defending and growing their programs and supports MSA's great network of Main Street programs in pushing for federal support for Main Streets.

Prior to serving as the Director of Government Relations, Kelly was the Manager of Education & Illinois Main Street Coordinating Program. In this role, Kelly worked to deliver professional development content via the Main Street America Institute (MSAI) and educational offerings of the Main Street Now Conference. In addition, she coordinated training, technical service, and communications for the amazing communities that comprise the Illinois Main Street program.

Before joining MSA in 2016, Kelly worked at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), which included implementing the school’s strategic plan for diversity and inclusion. Originally from northeast Ohio, Kelly graduated with a B.A. in Art History from Kenyon College and a M.S. in Historic Preservation from SAIC. Most recently, she completed the National Development Council’s Historic Real Estate Finance certification offered through MSAI.

Director of Community Relations, Office of County of San Diego Supervisor Jim Desmond
SESSION: Opening Remarks Day 2
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Kristal is a native of North San Diego County, raised in Carlsbad she graduated from Carlsbad High School, received her BA from Point Loma Nazarene University, and currently resides in Vista.

Before, her current role, she was elected to two terms on the San Marcos City Council, where she served for eight years. During that time, she held the position of Board President for the League of California Cities, San Diego Division. Prior to her time on the City Council, she was a San Marcos Planning Commissioner, San Marcos Economic Development Council President, Commissioner for the San Marcos Budget Review Committee, and a volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club. Currently, she serves as Vice President of the North Coastal Prevention Coalition.

Economic Development Coordinator, Eureka Main Street Executive Director
SESSION: All About California Cultural Districts
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My name is Amanda Kruschke, and I work as an Economic Development Coordinator at City of Eureka. I am primarily responsible for Eureka Main Street and assist with other citywide economic development projects. Outside of work, I love spending time traveling to see and do new things with friends and family. Within my role at the City of Eureka and Eureka Main Street, I strive to make Eureka a vibrant place for visitors and residents to enjoy.

Senior Director of Coordinating Programs, Main Street America
SESSION: Main Street 101 / UPDATE: New Main Street Community Accreditation Standards
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Kathy La Plante is a Senior Program Officer and Director of Coordinating Program Services at Main Street America (MSA) with expertise in building organizational capacity and developing promotional programming.

She has worked in the Main Street field for nearly 25 years. She works throughout the U.S. providing training for cities of all sizes using the Main Street Approach to downtown revitalization. Prior to this position, she was hired as the first Director of the New Hampshire Main Street Center and initiated the statewide New Hampshire Main Street Program providing technical assistance to 23 designated programs. Kathy began her Main Street career in 1989 as the Executive Director of the Chippewa Falls Main Street, helping them earn a Great American Main Street Award.

Executive Director, Coronado Main Street
SESSION: Online Tools for Your District
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Karla joined Coronado Main Street in Fall of 2021.

Beyond the organization’s support, Karla brings valuable expertise to fund development, public relations, marketing, and social media.

Karla is also an entrepreneur and has over 20 years of senior management experience, with more than 10 years in non-profit organizations. Her bachelor’s degree in marketing also comes in quite handy.

Management Analyst, City of Oceanside Neighborhood Services Dept.
SESSION: Housing and Homelessness Strategies
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Salvador coordinates and oversee various programs, projects and contracts that pertain to individuals/families that are at risk or experiencing homelessness. Some of the existing programs are: Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP); Emergency Monetary Assistance (EMA); Family Reunification, referrals/placements into drug treatment centers and shelters. Salvador works with faith-based and community organizations to map locations offering access to basic needs such as food and hygiene and will help identify areas of unmet need.

He collaborates with Police staff assigned to the Homeless Outreach Team and with Social Workers assisting program participants in securing permanent housing for the homeless.

Crime Prevention Specialist, Oceanside Police Department
SESSION: Housing and Homelessness Strategies
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Professor of Business Administration
SESSION: Entrepreneurship and B2B Pipelines
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Christina Sharp is a full-time faculty member at MiraCosta College, teaching business and hospitality classes. Christina’s area of focus is entrepreneurship, and she is passionate about helping aspiring entrepreneurs make their startup dreams a reality.

Founder & CEO, RootsUp Collective
SESSION: Leadership and Succession Planning
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In February of 2022, Rachael Snedecor left her position as Executive Director of Livermore Downtown Inc. after 22 years of service.  Her career as a Main Street Director for such a long period,  provided a vast array of experiences and accomplishments in downtown development, non-profit management, small business growth and development and local government collaboration strategies. 

Rachael is now owner and founder of Roots Up Collective. Roots Up Collective provides assistance, guidance and support to businesses and organizations that are looking for fresh perspective, and a path to growth and  to achieve the next level of excellence.

Policy Advisor, California State Assembly
SESSION: The Role of Advocacy in Advancing a Successful Main Street Program
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During her 37-year tenure with state and federal governments, she successfully held a variety of senior-level policy, fiscal, and administrative positions within both the legislative and administrative branches. She was responsible, singularly and as a team leader, for the research and development of policy issues of domestic and international significance including, but not limited to, business development, finance, infrastructure, affordable housing, international trade, and an inclusive transition to a net zero economy.

In November 2022, she retired from government service and formed a public policy practice with a select group of clients who share her commitment to economic justice.

Chief Talent Officer, Talent Xponential
SESSION: It’s nothing without your people: finding & keeping great talent
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Andria is passionate about developing leaders and their people. She brings 20 years experience in innovative talent and leadership development, in a wide variety of industries.

Andria has an undergraduate degree from University of California, San Diego, and a Masters in Adult Education from North Carolina State University. She loves being part of the Oceanside community, having moved back to the area 2 years ago with her twins. Her interests include travel, great books, walking the beach and trying out every coffee shop in Oceanside.

Executive Director, Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District
SESSION: All About California Cultural Districts
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Eliza Tudor's experience as an arts leader spans the visual, literary, and performing arts across three continents. After ten years in production, from film and theatre in Australia, to opera, Ancient Greek theatre and ballet in the Sierra, Eliza moved to the United Kingdom (UK) to complete her masters degree in cultural policy, tracing its lineage from early 13th century Sicily to contemporary Europe and beyond.

Eliza served as Senior Development Executive – Arts & Humanities at the University of Oxford, while also sitting on the boards of trustees for Magdalen Road Studios – an organization that provides artists with studios, exhibition space and public engagement with contemporary art in Oxford, and Rosetta Life – a group of artists who work with those living with life-limiting illness to shape and share stories that matter through movement, song, image, film, and writing.

Eliza returned to the United States in February 2015 to direct Yuba Sutter Arts, and in 2016 accepted the role of Executive Director of the Nevada County Arts Council. This role implied simultaneous overview of three counties under California Arts Council's State-Local Partnership Program. Since late 2016 Eliza has focused solely on Nevada County Arts Council, and in 2017 gained state recognition for Nevada County by consulting on two successful applications for California Cultural District designation.

She currently sits on the board of directors for California Arts Advocates and Californians for the Arts, and in late 2018 was recognized for her leadership by the California Senate, Congress, and Assembly.

Through her work – supported by impactful local partnerships – she hopes to create, hand in hand with her community, a more sustainable future for the arts.

Senior Program Officer, Economic Vitality, Main Street America
SESSION: Real Estate Solutions for your Main Street
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As Senior Program Officer for Economic Vitality, Joi is primarily responsible for providing comprehensive revitalization technical services related to Economic Vitality for coordinating programs, commercial districts, and other partners across the country. Joi previously served as Senior Program Officer and Director of Illinois Main Street Programs at Main Street America.

Joi is the former Marketing & Communications director for Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF), the EDO for Adams County, IL and coordinating organization for the Tri-State Development Summit, a 36-county region of western IL, southeast IA and northeast MO. There she led economic and workforce development solutions.

As a former Batavia, IL MainStreet executive director, her work included leveraging local assets to enhance and redevelop Batavia’s downtown, developing an award-winning program. In 2008, she helped bring the Water Street Studios art center to the Fox Valley region, a 16,000 sq-ft space with 28 artist studios, classes and galleries. Prior to her work with Main Street, Joi worked in music television production, primarily to produce the show Soundstage.

Joi became a certified economic development practitioner (CEcD) with the International Economic Development Council where she now serves on the board. Additionally, she serves on the board of IL Route 66 Byways, Quincy Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Quincy YWCA. She also sits on the Quincy Chamber of Commerce D&I committee and is co-founder of 100 Women Who Care Adams County chapter and collaborator for TEDx Quincy.