2021 BBLC Community Leaders Program Booklet (CA)

JULY 13-15, 2021

The Best Buddies Leadership Conference (BBLC) is an annual event held each summer to inspire thousands of leaders to be Best Buddies advocates and to bring about social change in their communities. BBLC is a once in a lifetime experience that unites Best Buddies leaders, volunteers, and community advocates from around the globe.

Traditionally held as an in-person, the 2021 Best Buddies Leadership Conference is transitioning into an online experience for a second year. This format opens the opportunity for global access to leadership trainings, best practice sharing, and community networking as we work to build new experiences for our global community throughout the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

BEST BUDDIES LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE BY THE NUMBERS: 2020

30

301 STUDENT LEADERS

32 STATE AMBASSADORS

CHAPTER ADIVISORS

21

JOBS PARTICIPANTS

COMMUNITY LEADERS

39

20 443

STAFF MEMBERS

LIVES CHANGED THROUGH BBLC

BEST BUDDIES LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE BY THE NUMBERS: 2021

42

236 STUDENT LEADERS

24 STATE AMBASSADORS

CHAPTER ADIVISORS

7

JOBS PARTICIPANTS

COMMUNITY LEADERS

28

18 387

CORPORATE PARTNERS

LIVES CHANGED THROUGH BBLC

2021 BEST BUDDIES LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE SCHEDULE WEDNESDAY, JULY 14 3:30 - 4:30 PM PST Optional Advisory Board Onboarding / Refresher Course For new members from 2020 & 2021 and any existing members who want a review!

3:30 - 4:30 PM PST Empower Inclusion Celebration

THURSDAY, JULY 15

3:30 - 4:30 PM PST Beyond Diversity and Inclusion: Creating a Culture of Belonging Speaker: Millicent Boykin, Chief Program Officer for VolunteerNowDiversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) are not new concepts, especially for those in the disability awareness space. Yet, organizations continue to struggle to increase diversity and create inclusive workplaces. Something is missing – a culture of belonging. Just because someone is included does not mean they feel they belong. In this session, we will discuss the divergence of belonging vs.inclusion and why it matters. We will explore the important role everyone plays in creating a culture of belonging, not just leadership and learn ways to foster a sense of belonging in any environment.

3:30 - 4:30 PM PST

2:45-3:15PM PST

Welcome Community Leaders!

Building a Strong and Effective Committee Presence

t's been quite the year at Best Buddies! Enjoy a brief, mission-focused update on our core pillars, signature events, and new organizational initiatives before getting a chance to meet your fellowCommunity Leaders from across the country!

tSpeakers: Panel of Volunteer LeadersThis interactive session will offer key insights and best practices regarding essentials in committee development such as thoughtful vetting, recruitment, accountability and engaging leadership.

2021 BEST BUDDIES LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE SCHEDULE THURSDAY, JULY 15 CONTINUED 3:30-4:15PM PST Breakout Sessions- Select one from Below Board Challenges and Successes 2021 Friendship Walk Recap & 2022 Vision Champions as Changemakers

4:30-5PM PST Breakout Sessions- Select one from Below Diversifying Your Board What it takes to create a 5- Star Friendship Walk Finding Champions in your Network

5:00-5:30PM PST Conference Closing Ceremony

OUR PROGRAMS

FRIENDSHIP Builds friendships between people with and w/o IDD, offering social mentoring while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion.

JOBS Secures jobs for people with IDD, allowing them to earn an income, pay taxes, and support themselves.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Educates and empowers people with and without IDD to be leaders, public speakers and advocates.

INCLUSIVE LIVING Fosters an integrated experience for people with and without IDD to live independently in a dynamic environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive.

MEET OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS

AMANDA BEVILACQUA E&J GALLO WINERY What does Best Buddies mean to you?: "Friendship, inclusion, family, support" What are you hoping to get out of LC? "Check out what's going on in the BB world!"

HALEY BRIDGES BON APPETIT @ GOOGLE, BAY AREA CORPORATE SUMMIT "Best Buddies means hope, inclusion and equality. At Best Buddies everyone is given the opportunity to find a place in the world regardless of their disabilities. Best Buddies is the true definition of how to treat others and making sure to put the person first and not their disability."

NICK DAIFOTIS PANTHEON VENTURES, BAY AREA CORPORATE SUMMIT "To me, Best Buddies is an opportunity to connect with and assist some amazing people in my community. The people I've worked with have always been cheery and enthusiastic. Being able to see the positive impact of our work together is a great feeling!"

KELLY PETERSEN BULLARD HIGH SCHOOL, FRESNO FRESNO BOARD CHAIR "Best Buddies has made an incredible difference in my son Drew's life. The jobs program supported him in learning skills to get a job, and when the opportunity for the ACTUAL job came--Best Buddies supported him every step of the way. Drew has been at Pieology for 2 years: Best Buddies made the dream a reality!"

AMY POLLOCK PANTHEON VENTURES, BAY AREA CORPORATE SUMMIT "The opportunity to learn how to make inclusion, diversity and equity a focus and an important part of my workplace culture as well as in my personal life. I can’t think of a better organization to lead the rest of us to a future where everyone has a seat at the table."

CONNOR REGAN GOOGLE, Bay Area board "To me, Best Buddies is about recognizing the value in friendship and just how critical it is for each and every one of us. I believe the most important work Best Buddies does is show folks that being a friend isn't "charity" and it isn't something we should need a pat on the back for.

Friendship, openness, and love are beautiful human experiences we should share openly. I'll forever be grateful to Best Buddies for the countless friends it has given me and that's why I love it so much."

TESSIE AMADOR BAY AREA BOARD "I am hoping to learn more about the leadership champions, programs, and to be inspired by the many great stories of the BB participants."

MORE COMMUNITY LEADERS BRIAN AMADOR CLUB SPORT SAN JOSE BAY AREA BOARD

LAINEY BROSNAN ACLS, INC SAN DIEGO BOARD

JANE CHAMBERS PFIZER SAN DIEGO BOARD CHAIR

MEGAN CHIE INLAND EMPIRE OTHER

ANJALI CHUGANI INLAND EMPIRE OTHER

MAADHEVI COMAR LOS ANGELES FRIENDSHIP WALK

MORE COMMUNITY LEADERS SARAH COYNE VALUE ACT CAPITAL BAY AREA BOARD

KAYLEE JONES CALPERS SF FRIENDSHIP WALK

KAREN LEDER LEDER GROUP LOS ANGELES BOARD

KARL LOTT HOLLAND & KNIGHT LOS ANGELES BOARD CHAIR

KATIE MAYO STUDENT OTHER COMMUNITY LEADER

GLENN MEJIA OTHER SAN DIEGO

MORE COMMUNITY LEADERS KIM POSIN LOS ANGELES FRIENDSHIP WALK

AMY STEFFEN ELMCROFT SENIOR LIVING SAN DIEGO OTHER

TINA SALVADOR FRESNO OTHER

BEN SCOTT PARADIGM TALENT AGENCY LOS ANGELES BOARD

JENNIFER SIERRAS TECHNOLOGY EXECUTIVE SACRAMENTO BOARD

ERIC STEINERT SEYFARTH SHAW LLP SAN DIEGO BOARD

MORE COMMUNITY LEADERS SHAIL VERSFELT VERSFELT DESIGNS LOS ANGELES BOARD

MAGDELINE ZOGOPOULOS COMMUNITY LEADER SACRAMENTO BOARD

CORPORATE PARTNERS RYAN BAILEY FLAGSHIP BAY AREA

MELODY BENWAY GENENTECH BAY AREA

ALEX BRAVO BANK OF AMERICA ORANGE COUNTY

MERYL COHN WATERSAFE SWIM ORANGE COUNTY

HEATHER COTA BANK OF AMERICA LOS ANGELES

GARY CRAY JLL SAN DIEGO

MORE CORPORATE PARTNERS BRANDON DEKKER CANNONDESIGN SAN DIEGO

JESSICA DYER BANK OF AMERICA LOS ANGELES

SHAHAR GUR SNAP LOS ANGELES

FELICIA MCDUFFIE GENENTECH BAY AREA

BLESSING OKOROUGO MATCH GROUP SAN FRANCISCO

CARLY REINER ACCENTURE SAN FRANCISCO

MORE CORPORATE PARTNERS JOEL SCHALLER ARSONOL LOS ANGELES

LUCIA SOARES GALLO SAN FRANCISCO

KENDRA STUMBOX SPMB SAN FRANCISCO

UPCOMING EVENTS

2021 CHAMPION OF THE YEAR BAY AREA NOVEMBER 12, 2021 INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL SAN FRANCISCO BESTBUDDIESCHAMPION.ORG/BAYAREA

LOS ANGELES OCTOBER 29, 2021 SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER

LOS ANGELES

BESTBUDDIESCHAMPION.ORG/LOSANGELES

2022 FRIENDSHIP WALK THANKS FOR A GREAT 2021 WALK SEASON! JOIN US IN SPRING, 2022!

SACRAMENTO | BAY AREA | LONG BEACH | SAN DIEGO

THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF BBLC 2021!