Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

This is your Commonwealth Club week in review. Hear what you missed this week, and what we’ve got lined up for you next week.

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Too often, people are told to be professional and maintain traditional order in workplace settings, but this often leaves employees abandoning their humanity as soon as they step into the company building. As workplaces diversify, leaders are challenged to create a safe, justice-oriented working environment that simultaneously promotes creative individuality and traditional business models.

Enter Kim Scott, author of the new book Just Work, looking to transform the modern workplace. She seeks to encourage leaders to create more just workplaces and establish new norms of collaboration and respect. With experience advising at Dropbox, Qualtrics, Twitter and other tech companies, Scott shares her knowledge and power for confronting modern workplace challenges, and offers a new solution.

Join us as Kim Scott reimagines workplace settings to create more just and humane company environments

Note: This program contains EXPLICIT language.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on March 23rd, 2021 by the Commonwealth Club of California.

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For too long, Americans have treated racism as a disease of the past. Now, it’s more than obvious that symptoms of intolerance and discrimination still linger today. Many are fatigued fighting for racial equality and attempting to solve a centuries-old problem, begging the urgent question: How can we end American racism in our lifetimes?

CNN anchor Don Lemon seeks an answer. In his new book This Is the Fire, Lemon examines America’s systemic flaws that prevent equality for all. As America’s only Black prime-time anchor, Lemon has achieved mass popularity from his thoughtful and nuanced takes on modern racism. In his book, he shares his vulnerable experiences growing up in the shadows of segregation and his adult confrontations with scholars and politicians alike. In doing so, Lemon offers a searing and poetic plea to America: we must resist racism every day, and we must resist it with love.

Join us as Don Lemon and Valerie Jarrett, President Barack Obama’s most trusted friend and advisor, imagine a better, more equal future for all Americans.

SPEAKERS

Don Lemon

Anchor, "CNN Tonight with Don Lemon"; Author, This Is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism; Twitter @donlemon

In Conversation with Valerie Jarrett

Former Senior Adviser to President Barack Obama; Twitter@ValerieJarrett

n response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on March 19th, 2021 by the Commonwealth Club of California.

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Warmer, shorter winters may sound like an impact of climate change that would inspire more joy than despair. But rising temperatures and decreasing snowpack won’t just transform water supplies and species ranges. It will also disrupt a multi-billion dollar winter sport industry, including the jobs and local economies associated with them. 

“If we're not able to ski or snowboard anymore,” says Mario Molina, CEO of Protect Our Winters, “the least of our concerns will be the activities that we participate in.” So how are winter sports enthusiasts and others preparing to weather the storm?

Speakers:

Elizabeth Burakowski, Assistant Professor, Earth Systems Research Center, University of New Hampshire

Kit DesLauriers, National Geographic Explorer; Skimountaineer 

Geraldine Link, Director of Public Policy, National Ski Areas Association 

Mario Molina, CEO, Protect our Winters

Related Links:

Protect Our Winters

Higher Love: Climbing and Skiing the Seven Summits

National Ski Areas Association

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Jennifer Doudna has changed the life-science field. In 1987, she and her collaborators created CRISPR, an easy-to-use tool that can edit DNA, and opened a brave new world of medical miracles. Conversely, the invention of CRISPR raised many moral questions. With the device, scientists can now detect and destroy DNA, hypothetically making humans less susceptible to viruses, preventing depression, enhancing individual height or muscles or IQ.

In his new book The Code Breaker, famed biographer Walter Isaacson follows Doudna from when she first learned what “the double helix” is all the way to her winning the 2020 Nobel Prize. Driven by a passion to understand how nature works and to turn discoveries into inventions, Doudna has become a leader in the scientific field, often wrestling with the moral issues that arise from her discovery.

Join us as Walter Isaacson traces a thrilling detective tale that involves the most profound wonders of nature, from the origins of life to the future of our species.

NOTES

Want to attend this program for free? Join today at the Monthly Sustaining Membership level and receive a special discount code to use at check out. If you are already a member, please log in to receive your $5 general admission ticket. Discounts will automatically be applied during check out.

Copies of The Code Breaker are available for purchase. Purchased books will be sent to the address provided at checkout (domestic U.S. addresses only).

Part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by the Bernard Osher Foundation.

This program is done in association with Wonderfest.

SPEAKERS

Walter Isaacson

Professor of History, Tulane University, Former CEO, Aspen Institute, Author, The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race

In Conversation with Kishore Hari

Strategic Partnerships, Science Communications and Engagement, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on March 17th, 2021 by the Commonwealth Club of California.

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Join us for a discussion of women in politics, paths to success, making a difference, and how female leaders are shaping the future. 

Meet the Speakers

Malia M. Cohen serves as a member of the California State Board of Equalization (BOE), California’s elected tax commission. She was elected to the BOE in November 2018, served as Chair in 2019, and is the first African-American woman to serve on the Board. As the BOE Board Member for District 2, she represents 10 million constituents living in all or parts of 23 counties extending from Del Norte County in the north to Santa Barbara County in the south. In January 2019, her BOE Board Member colleagues unanimously selected her to serve as Chair of the Board. A strong advocate for social justice and inclusion, Board Member Cohen pledges to ensure that the views of all who come before the Board of Equalization are considered carefully, with respect, civility, and courtesy.

Fiona Ma, CPA, is California’s 34th state treasurer. She was elected on November 6, 2018 with more votes (7,825,587) than any other candidate for treasurer in the state's history. She is the first woman of color and the first female Certified Public Accountant (CPA) elected to the position. Ma was a member of the State Assembly from 2006–2012, serving as speaker pro tempore from 2010–2012. Prior to serving as speaker pro tempore, she was Assembly majority whip and built coalitions during a state budget crisis to pass groundbreaking legislation that protected public education and the environment while also expanding access to health care.

Stefanie G. Roumeliotes, a native to the San Francisco Bay Area, has parlayed her passions for supporting political candidates and causes, and enhancing the welfare of others, into a highly productive career as a seasoned strategist and fundraiser in the political and non-profit arenas. Recognized nationally as a leader in her field, Stefanie has established an admirable reputation for handling each enterprise she manages with expertise and success. In 2004, Stefanie founded SGR Consulting, of which she is CEO.

SPEAKERS

Malia M. Cohen

Member, California State Board of Equalization; Former Member, San Francisco Board of Supervisors

Fiona Ma

CPA, Treasurer, State of California; Former Member, San Francisco Board of Supervisors

Stefanie G. Roumeliotes

Founder and CEO, SGR Consulting; Northwestern Finance Director, Hillary Clinton 2008 Presidential Campaign

Michelle Meow

Producer and Host, "The Michelle Meow Show," KBCW/KPIX TV and Podcast; Member, Commonwealth Club Board of Governors—Co-Host

John Zipperer

Producer and Host, Week to Week Political Roundtable; Vice President of Media & Editorial, The Commonwealth Club—Co-Host

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on March 18th, 2021 by the Commonwealth Club of California.

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What has the impact of the pandemic been on the environment? What happens when there is a confluence of climate change, racial tensions and a pandemic?

Yarnold and Mackenzie will discuss the ways we can be more connected to the environment during this time with special guest Tiwari.

In Partnership with Santa Clara County Office of Education, Santa Clara County Library District, and San Jose Public Library.

SPEAKERS

David Yarnold

President, National Audubon Society

Andrea Mackenzie

General Manager, Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority

Vayun Tiwari

Youth Winner of the 2020 National Audubon Society’s National Photography Award

Sal Pizarro

Columnist, Mercury News—Moderator

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on March 18th, 2021 by the Commonwealth Club of California.

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Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of shelter-in-place orders in the Bay Area, life for millions has changed drastically throughout the region. Among the most significant changes to date has been in the innovation and tech economy, which has super-charged the region's employment and housing markets. Over the past year, many of the region's top companies have announced new work-from-home policies that will outlast the pandemic. Meanwhile, many start up companies have folded and many tech employees have left the city itself, if not the region.

The Bay Area tech and innovation economy has gone through challenges before, but is this time different? And what will these changes mean for the region's economy. Please join us for the first of several conversations on the future of the economy of San Francisco after the COVID-19 pandemic.

SPEAKERS

Jennifer Stojkovic

Executive Director, sf.citi

Ahmad Thomas

CEO, Silicon Valley Leadership Group

Sean Randolph

Senior Director, Bay Area Economic Institute—Moderator

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on March 18th, 2021 by the Commonwealth Club of California.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused myriad changes, but one of special significance has been the little-publicized flow of aid to the United States from China-based Americans, Chinese organizations and citizens, and even the Chinese government itself. This has taken the form of donations of personal protective equipment (PPE), cash and valuable services. Diverse organizations such as MedShare International, Flexport.org and the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai have entered into agreements and partnerships to benefit U.S.-based hospitals, such as San Francisco’s own Chinese Hospital.

Join us for a discussion with representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai (AmCham Shanghai), Chinese Hospital, Flexport.org, MedShare International and San Francisco State University; the program will be moderated by KPIX's Betty Yu.

Meet the Speakers

David Basmajian is senior advisor for public affairs at Takeda Pharmaceuticals and served as a member of the Board of Governors at the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. David was instrumental in bringing overseas support from China to many nonprofit organizations in the United States, including Chinese Hospital. 

Jason Chernock serves as director of programs and partnerships for MedShare. He focuses on building partnerships with the health-care industry to advance MedShare’s mission and oversees the organization’s national gift-in-kind strategy. Jason joined MedShare in 2014. 

Dave Hartman is an operations manager at Flexport.org, which expedites free shipping of health-care and disaster relief supplies for nonprofit organizations engaged in humanitarian response work. He previously worked on a disaster response team with Save the Children, deploying to emergencies in Iraq, Liberia, Nepal and Jordan.

Eric Talbert teaches at San Francisco State University in the Nonprofit Management Program. He also has more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience with a focus on advancing human rights locally and globally. In his former role at MedShare, Eric drew together nonprofit health-care organizations with much-needed PPE, free shipping via Flexport, as well as import assistance.

Dr. Jian Zhang has been CEO of Chinese Hospital since 2017. Her service throughout the Chinese Hospital system began in 1996. Among numerous awards and certifications, Dr. Zhang is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. In 2021 she was named a Distinguished Woman of the Year for the State of California by Assemblymember David Chiu.

Betty Yu joined KPIX 5 in November 2013 as a general assignment reporter. A Bay Area native, Betty graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with degrees in political science and rhetoric. She also has a Master of Science degree in journalism from Columbia University.

MLF ORGANIZER

Ian McCuaig and Lillian Nakagawa

NOTES

MLF: Asia-Pacific Affairs

SPEAKERS

David Basmajian

Senior Advisor for Public Affairs, Takeda Pharmaceuticals

ason Chernock

Director of Programs and Partnerships, MedShare

Eric Talbert

San Francisco State University, Nonprofit Management Program

Dave Hartman

Senior Operations Associate, Flexport.org

Dr. Jian Zhang

CEO, Chinese Hospital

Betty Yu

Reporter, KPIX—Moderator

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on March 17th, 2021 by the Commonwealth Club of California.

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African Americans currently make up 5 percent of San Francisco's population but also comprise nearly 40 percent of its homeless residents. African Americans are also reported to have the city's highest mortality rates and lowest median household incomes, along with a disproportionately high percentage of police use-of-force incidents.

To improve these conditions, based on recommendations from a community engagement process led by the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Board of Supervisors President Shamann Walton have proposed a budget that will enact "transformative change" and spur investment in the AfrIcan-American community. The budget will redirect $120 million from law enforcement agencies and into programs that support the city’s Black community. These funds would go toward initiatives expanding mental health and wellness and reducing homelessness in the Black community; supporting education, youth development and economic opportunities; and developing a plan to replace police officers with social workers as the main responders to noncriminal calls involving the homeless and mentally ill.

Join an important discussion about the current state and future of San Francisco's African-American community.

Held in association with INFORUM.

SPEAKERS

London Breed

Mayor of San Francisco

Shamann Walton

President, San Francisco Board of Supervisors

Fred Blackwell

CEO, The San Francisco Foundation—Moderator

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on March 5th, 2021 by the Commonwealth Club of California.

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