Honored to meet choreographer John Neumeier, Kyoto Prize Laureate in Arts and Philosophy. Photo by Gary Payne

March 17, 2016 Comments (0) Views: 2150 Blog, Life on the Mesa

Life on the Mesa: Networking Saves Lives

Our networks are so much more than the next business deal

Come sit by me…

“Networking saves lives.” There I sat, stunned, listening to renowned Mexican journalist Marcela Turati speak at USD’s International Women’s Day breakfast. Listening to her story, hearing those words, coming to the realization: networking saves lives. Wow. We place so much importance on “networking” for business we forget that building a strong network is so much more than a quid pro quo. The journalist shares bittersweet snippets from her coverage of the turbulent drug wars in Juarez. She describes how newspapers report “body counts on the front page as if they were goals in a soccer match.” She shares tales of our neighbors south of the border, in the midst of utter chaos and tragedy, pulling together. Tales of wounded souls who’ve lost family members and friends who work collectively to overcome the pain and horror the cartels are branding into their everyday lives. Who are these fearless leaders trailblazing this underground movement? The ones pushing forward to pick up the pieces and rebuild their communities? They are the unbreakable women of Juarez.

Working side by side without rest, the women of Juarez have formed an impenetrable bond as they work together to search for the desaparecidos. They have formed search parties, support groups, and followed in peaceful demonstrations. They organized a dance performance in the plaza, where a murder occurred the night before, transforming a place of tragedy back to a gathering place for communities. They offer yoga, meditation, and dance classes as an escape and coping method for the daily stress they endure living amongst the violence. The power of networking allowed these women to rise above their fear to search for answers and arrive at solutions.

And it was Turati’s very own network that saved her life. As a journalist in a war torn country, you are putting yourself at risk every moment of every day. Turati sought shelter through the safe network she cultivated while covering Juarez. Countless other colleagues tap into that network to do the same; seek refuge. At a dinner Sunday with filmmaker, philanthropist, and genius Mary Ann Byster, I shared my “take aways” from Turati’s talk. The conversation quickly turned to human trafficking in our border region. Many are unaware. More tragic, many prefer to turn a blind eye to this epidemic plaguing our border region. Networks have provided safe haven for these victims in the US. Networking has provided safe pick-ups for recently deported who are preyed upon after crossing the border south. The power of networking has saved countless lives on both sides of the frontera.

Turati has opened my eyes to the power of networking. And to the power of creating a strong support force to endure the toughest of times, but also partake in the best of times. Monday evening I had the honor to curate and host a dinner celebrating the feminine forces in my life. Surrounded by a table full of accomplished women, I looked around and realized that this was my network. Last month I thought I did not have the strength to continue my journey on this planet. I realized that these are the women I join hands with. These are the women who will nurture in times of need, and lift me and each other up, to remind us it is time to shine. These are the women who will help change San Diego. These are the women who will work collectively to change the world. Let’s not forget that our networks are so much more than the next business deal. Our networks are our friends, our support force. And when you least expect it, they save lives.

Upcoming events on the Mesa (I'll be at the fun table…)

Jazz at the Athenaeum presents Luciana Souza: Speaking in Tongues
Dan Atkinson, you are the man! If you missed the giant spread in Sunday’s Union-Tribune, he is bringing Luciana Souza to the Mesa. Souza’s performance, “Speaking in Tongues” (not even gonna touch that with a ten foot pole as I am now a serious journalist), refers to her dynamic vocal ability. This concert is at TSRI, which I heard is building a brand new campus.
March 17, 7:30 p.m., TSRI Auditorium
La Jolla Playhouse Gala 2016
La Jolla Playhouse always does their parties up right. What better way to show your support for our leading cultural venue on the Mesa than attending this year’s 2016 Gala? All proceeds from this event benefit the New Play Development and Education & Outreach Programs. Cocktail reception hosted by Snake Oil. Careful. Those things are so damned good. Last benefit I attended, five Snake Oils back, I ended up the proud owner of a one week presidential suite in Cabo. No live auction at this year’s Gala, but definitely some live entertainment LJP style with money raised going to a great cause. Grab your boogie shoes and meet me on the dance floor.
March 19, 6 p.m., La Jolla Playhouse
San Diego Entrepreneurs Exchange: Get to Know Your Neighbors
Major props to San Diego Entrepreneurs Exchange for snagging J. Craig Venter as their keynote speaker on March 23. This event is SOLD OUT! Several peeps have been blowin’ up my phone trying to find out how to get into what seems to be the networking event of the year. Been trying to lock down Venter as a speaker for over a year. Boys, however did you get him? Perhaps the bigger mystery—which car will Venter roll up in? I’ve got my money on the new Porsche.
March 23, 5 p.m., Sanford Consortium and Bella Vista Social Club & Caffé

Just Mesa'n around…

Conspiring for world peace with some of the usual suspects: Naila Chowdhury, Malin Burnham, Ed Mracek, and Rose Grant.

At Tuesday night’s Kyoto Prize Gala, not one of us ten guests left the table during the entire dinner. Okay, now, for those of you that have been to a luncheon, or gala, this is unheard of. Most of the times I have been, people are up working the room, looking past you as they try and find that target. Searching, eyes darting around the room to find that one person they need to close a deal with while you sit trying to engage them in meaningful conversation. Shit. It feels like a high school party again, or a night at the discoteca in Madrid. On the hunt. It was an absolute pleasure to see that the guests around our table, all with accomplished careers and fascinating stories under their belts, were genuinely interested in the others at the table. Perhaps it was my ability to keep my “f” bombs to a bare minimum. Perhaps it was my killer dinner date—mentor extraordinaire Ms. Naila Chowdhury. Regardless, all ten of us were glued to the table and the conversation.

There was plenty of opportunity to schmooze before and after. Glided down the staircase to run into the witty Peter Farrell. Caught up with the usual suspects Malin Burnham, Joe Panetta, think I spotted Greg McKee, Ed Mracek, Al Paisano, Miwako Waga… And it was a real honor to meet two of the laureates after the program. I may be a bit partial to Swiss men, but I found Basic Science laureate Dr. Michel Mayor an absolute charm.

The Kyoto Prize Gala itself was a true testimony of our ability to get everyone to play together in San Diego’s sandbox. All the universities were represented and the categories ranged from the sciences to the fine arts. Perhaps the highlight of the evening was listening to the kids selected for the KSO scholarships. This event will serve as a beacon, a shining example and inspiration of what we can accomplish when we work together to lift up our Miracle Coast No Boundaries on the global stage. Domo arigato Mr. Inamori for bringing San Diego this opportunity to prove we can collaborate and achieve greatness when putting people and humanity before ourselves.