Carlos Amezcua is Co-Founder of BEONDTV, a full-service media and technology company dedicated to providing content that Uplifts, Educates and Entertains. An award-winning veteran, Carlos has spent the past 45 years covering major news stories around the world, spending most of those years in Los Angeles, America’s second largest Television market.

From his early days anchoring morning drive radio news, Carlos showed an unflappable ability to report breaking news. Moving to television, Carlos was also a skilled film news photographer who would push his way with his trusty Bell & Howell to get the best shot. As an aggressive, young journalist Carlos reported major stories on the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite and later with Dan Rather. Hurricane Gloria, the Mexico City and Northridge earthquakes, the Malibu fires and the eruption of Mt. St. Helens are just a few of the natural disaster he has covered. A major turning point in his career at CBS was the infamous Macdonald’s Massacre in San Ysidro, California. His steady, round the clock reporting, nationally and internationally, earned him numerous Emmy and press awards. As an investigative reporter, Carlos uncovered corruption, child abuse and government waste. He covered President Ronald Reagan’s White House and has also interviewed President George H. W. Bush and his wife Barbara, President Jimmy Carter, President Donald Trump, Senator Hilary Clinton, Mexican President Vicente Fox, Secretary of State Colin Powell and many more.

Carlos has been awarded 22 Emmys including one for ‘Outstanding Journalistic Enterprise’ and another for his coverage of Mexican politics. He also received awards from the Associated Press, The Radio Television News Association’s “Golden Mikes” and was part of the team that won the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award.

For 17 years, Carlos was also the co-anchor of the top rated KTLA Morning News. He and his team are widely credited for changing morning television in America with innovation and personality a program that was consistently ranked at the top of the ratings. In 2006, The National Hispanic Media Coalition honored Carlos with its National Impact Award for excellence in broadcast journalism. During his years as a news anchor, his professional and steady demeanor has been credited with re-assuring viewers through live coverage of the LA Riots, the many fires and earthquakes, the massive flooding and mudslides. The Daily News called Carlos Amezcua, “LA’s Best Anchorman”.

As Chairman of his own media company, CarlosMedia Corp. Carlos was responsible for creating television’s first all Latino stand up comedy show “Comedy Compadres”. He also created LA Kings Magazine, HollywoodMusicStore.com and the FOXNEWS Friday Night Specials. An early leader in technology, in 2005 Carlos led the digital video streaming initiative at FOX Television, CBS and Warner Brothers with a technology team that created the first non-buffering, non-loading HD video for digital devices. That initiative led to his first successful entrepreneurial exit in tech. Carlos continues to lead the way in both creative and technology projects with the launch of BEOND.TV an innovative media programming platform that provides opportunity for diverse voices to be heard. BEOND.TV is also developing new technology for content delivery, distribution, and monetization.

Other on-air duties and appearances include guest-hosting radio shows on ESPN Radio, KFI and KEIB as well as serving as the on-air voice for the annual national Latin Grammy Awards broadcast. An avid songwriter and musician, Carlos received a Gold Record for working on the rock band Chicago’s Christmas album.

Carlos is also an accomplished artist. His oil paintings have been showcased at many art galleries and shows in Southern California. He was commissioned to produce the official artwork for the 2006 Lexus Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race. His philanthropic activities include mentoring at risk students through organizations like Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship and Academy of Business Leadership. Carlos is also an active volunteer in many other community and business organizations and works to inspire young people to reach their highest potential.

Lucy Santana is the CEO of Girls Incorporated of Orange County, the oldest girl-centered organization in the U.S., which has been transforming girls’ views of themselves and their opportunities for generations through programs that focus on leadership, academic success, health & financial self‐sufficiency.

Since 1999, Lucy has been responsible for the management and operations of the Orange County Chapter and led the organization’s growth to expand program services and operations through a collaborative outreach model of program delivery that has dramatically increased its services to Orange County girls. Under Santana’s leadership, Girls Inc. has gone from serving 1,500 girls to serving just over 4,000 girls through school-based programs and a variety of collaborations throughout Orange County offering programs that empower girls to become Strong, Smart & Bold.

Due to the COVID19 Pandemic, she has led her team through a process of evolving their mission focused programs to a virtual online platform addressing the most specific needs of girls, ensuring their emotional, social, and physical well-being and needs are being met through educational, supportive, and hands-on programming.

Lucy holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from California State University, Fullerton. She actively participates in several community coalitions, as well as a variety of women’s leadership groups, including WIL: Women in Leadership in Orange County, Girls Inc. National Latina Initiative Advisory Council. She has volunteered and served as the President & Chair of the Board of Directors for Relampago del Cielo, grupo folklorico for close to 25 years, and in 2021 joined the Board of Directors of the El Sol Academy Foundation, a science and arts school in Santa Ana. She is a former member of the Board of Challengers at the Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship & Business Ethics at Chapman University and has participated in a variety of leadership programs, including Leadership California.

Ms. Santana has been a lifelong resident in Orange County, CA. She is a proud parent of an 11 yr. old daughter.

What inspires Ms. Santana the most about her work?
I have been with Girls Inc. since 1999 and I have been inspired every day since then by the amazing girls who come through our doors. To see the girls involved in our programs thrive, find success, learn a new skill, have “aha” moments when conducting a science experiment, or building with Legos, being the first in their family to graduate high school and go on to college…all these inspire me. I am also inspired by the generous individuals who invest in Girls Inc. through their individual philanthropy, by the companies that understand the value of their gifts to support programming and invest in our future workforce. And last, but not least, is my daughter who everyday shows me how Strong, Smart & Bold she already is….I’m inspired to continue this work to ensure that she, along with thousands of girls in OC get to grow up in a society that is more equitable and safer for them, and values women for their inherent strengths and contributions.

About Girls Inc.:
Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold through direct service and advocacy. Our
comprehensive approach to whole girl development equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers and grow up healthy, educated, and independent. These positive outcomes are achieved through three core elements: people – trained staff and volunteers who build lasting, mentoring relationships; environment – girls-only, physically, and emotionally safe, where there is a sisterhood of support, high expectations, and mutual respect; and programming – research-based, hands-on and minds-on, age-appropriate, meeting the needs of today’s girls. www.girlsinc-oc.org

From San Diego to Dubai, Gerry Foster aka The Branding Evangelist, has presented before thousands of people. He has over three decades of ‘in the trenches’ here’s-what-works experience and wisdom to share having helped over 100,000 small businesses from over 600 industries with their branding.

Gerry is the primary branding trainer for CEO Space International, Success Resources (formerly New Peaks), and Make Your Mark Training & Con- sulting in Canada. He understands the dynamics of what it takes to have a Big Brand, from start-ups to veterans, and believes all owners can make success possible at a very high level by making their mark in the world.

What Makes Gerry Foster Unique as a Professional Speaker and Trainer?

Gerry’s proven Big Brand Formula process energizes, inspires, and trans- forms audiences. Unlike many branding speakers who talk about logos, , the best colors for your image, or how to create a tagline … and brain dump a bunch of branding tips, Gerry evangelizes with riveting messages and gets to the heart of exactly what it takes to have a rockstar brand.

Gerry’s mission is to help owners across the globe create exceptional brands that make an exceptional difference. He equips them with big branding tools and guides them step-by-step towards greater growth.

The Honorable Malia M. Cohen – Member, California State Board of Equalization

Malia, M. Cohen, a native San Franciscan and a product of the San Francisco Unified public school system, is a rising star and nationally recognized policy maker.

She serves as a Member of the California State Board of Equalization (BOE), California’s elected tax commission. Elected to the Board of Equalization in November 2018, she was the first African American woman to serve on the Board and as Chair of the Board in its 141-year history.

As the BOE Board Member for District 2, she represents 10 million constituents from as far north as Del Norte County to as for south of Santa Barbara County. Her district is home to the ancient redwoods, the wine industry in Napa County, the innovation capitol of the world in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley, and the beautiful and breathtaking Pacific Coast.

Last year, she accepted San Francisco Mayor London Breed’s appointment to the City and County of San Francisco’s Police Commission. She currently serves as the President of the Commission and is the right leader during this equity moment in the City’s history.

Prior to being elected to the Board of Equalization, Board Member Cohen served as President of the City and County of San Francisco Board of Supervisors. She was first elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2010 and re-elected in 2014.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Fisk University, a historically Black university in Nashville, Tennessee, and a Masters in Science in Public Policy & Management from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

She and her husband, Attorney Warren A. Pulley, reside in San Francisco. They are the proud parents of their daughter, Madison Victoria Pulley.

Diana Z. Rodriguez has a long and distinguished career spanning more than 30 years working in higher education as a faculty member and administrator. Before leading San Bernardino Valley College, she served as Vice President of Student Services and Interim Vice President of Academic Services at Las Positas College, and Vice President of Student Services at Palo Verde College.

Rodriguez graduated from Palo Verde College, earned three degrees from California State University, San Bernardino in marketing, a master’s degree in business administration, and another master’s degree in education. She is a doctoral candidate in Higher Educational Leadership at Northcentral University.

She will assume her new duties as Chancellor of the San Bernardino Community College District on August 1, when campuses return to expanded in-person learning and working. As the chief executive officer, Rodriguez will manage a budget of $200 million and 1,000 faculty and staff members. She is known for increasing student enrollment, advocating for institutional innovation, and supporting professional development.

Tara Lynn Gray was appointed by Governor Newsom to Director of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate on March 19, 2021. Prior to her appointment, she was Chief Executive Officer of the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation (FMBCF), where she engaged, educated, and empowered small businesses in California’s Central Valley.

Gray has leveraged the green economy to advance equity, developed an employment & training program in green jobs for young adults 18-24 years old, and managed a network of organizations working to advance electric vehicle ownership. As part of the region’s DRIVE Investment Plan, Gray was instrumental in developing the local initiative Betting Big on Small Businesses Owned by Women and People of Color which aims to provide economic mobility for entrepreneurs in disinvested neighborhoods, closing opportunity gaps, and providing culturally competent entrepreneur education & technical assistance.

Gray has been an Advisor for Solano and Alameda County Small Business Development Centers, served as a non-profit Program Manager and Director of Operations as well as run her own consulting business. Past and present boards and commissions include Central Valley New Market Tax Credit Fund, CA Black Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Caltrans Small Business Council, State of CA Employment Development Department Small Business Employer Advisory Committee (EDD SBEAC), CA Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, Hospital Supplier Diversity Commission, and Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP).

Gray’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from St. Mary’s College, Moraga, CA; a Master of Arts in Christian Studies from Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ; a Management Development for Entrepreneurs Certificate, UCLA Anderson School of Management; and various Information Technology certifications.

John Echeveste joined LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes as CEO in September 2014, overseeing a museum/cultural center located in the Los Angeles historic core. Opened in 2011, LA Plaza tells the story of the history of LA and the contributions of Mexicans and Mexicans Americans in the region. The campus includes two restored historic buildings dating to 1871 and a 30,000 square foot garden. LA Plaza operates as part of the family of LA County cultural organizations.

He was previously a partner at VPE Public Relations based in South Pasadena, California. Established in 1988, VPE is one of the country’s largest Hispanic-owned agencies, handling a diverse roster of local and national consumer, social marketing and public affairs accounts. Echeveste has helped developed public relations programs for major national brands such as McDonald’s, AT&T, Disneyland, Southern California Edison, Target Stores, and others.

Previous experience includes work as a newspaper reporter, television documentary writer, corporate communications officer, Congressional aide and political campaign manager. He serves on the boards of the LA County Library Foundation, California State University College of Communications Advisory Board, and LA Music & Art School.

He is a founding member of the Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) and recipient of its Premio Award. He also received the Public Relations Society of America Pioneer Award in 1994. In 2003-2004, he served as president of the Public Relations Global Network, an association of 40 worldwide PR agencies. He is a graduate of California State University Fullerton with a BA in Communications, and holds professional certificates from USC.

Natasha Mata
Region Bank President
Community Banking
Wells Fargo & Company

Natasha Mata serves as the Inland Empire Region Bank President at Wells Fargo. In this role, Mata manages a team of nearly 1,200 employees, ten districts and over 70 branches across Orange County and the Inland Empire and Los Angeles County.

A 29-year financial services veteran, Mata began her Wells Fargo career as a teller. She served in various senior branch-level roles, including personal banker, service manager, branch manager and district manager. Prior to assuming her current leadership role in Central LA, she served as the Region Bank President for the Four Rivers market in 2011 and the Northern New Mexico region in 2007.

Mata is passionate about empowering and motivating employees to succeed personally, professionally, and financially. With more nearly 1,200 employees, Mata challenges everyone to bring humanity to banking and find ways to connect with the community and customers in a genuine way.

As an active participant in her local community and an advocate for workforce development and financial education, Mata was instrumental in the launch of ‘Everyone In’ an initiative that aims to remove barriers and create pathways to economic opportunity in Long Beach. She is also a previous board member of Long Beach Economic Partnerships and is an advocate for the local community.

Mata is a proud mother of two college students and enjoys spending time with her husband and children.

Julian Cañete serves as the President and CEO of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. Through its network of over 80 Hispanic chambers and business associations, the CHCC is a leading voice on issues impacting business in California. the mission of the CHCC is to foster economic growth, creating and sustaining prosperity benefiting California’s economy and communities.

Julian previously served as the Director of Public Policy and Strategic Partnerships for the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce and as President and CEO of CHCC from 1999 – 2006 and again from 2009-2012.

He is currently a member of the California Department of General Services Small Business Advisory Board, Californians for Affordable & Reliable Energy (CARE), CalTrans Small Business Council, CA Secretary of State Voters’ Choice Act Task Force, the SBDC Northern CA Network Advisory Board, and the CalVet Foundation.