Education Summit

Thank you to all who joined us for the 2025 Business & Education Innovation Summit!

The Chamber convened a dynamic group of business leaders and educators, setting the stage for a bold dialogue on the workforce of the future. Through this powerful convening, we elevated the conversation around cutting-edge partnerships between industry and academia. Partnerships that are shaping the talent pipeline, strengthening regional competitiveness, and ensuring Los Angeles’ workforce is prepared to meet the evolving needs of industry.

A special thank you to our presenting sponsor, Loyola Marymount University, and President Thomas Poon, Ph.D., for the warm campus hospitality.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Chamber President & CEO Maria S. Salinas welcomed attendees, and LMU President Thomas Poon, Ph.D., highlighted the critical role universities play in preparing students for the workforce and emphasized the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and industry.

The opening panel discussion, Preparing the Next Generation: Education, Leadership, and Innovation, included President Thomas Poon, Ph.D. of Loyola Marymount University, President Beong-Soo Kim of USC, President Ann McElaney-Johnson, Ph.D. of Mount St. Mary's University, Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Ph.D. of UC Merced, and Chancellor Alberto J. Román, Ph.D. of the Los Angeles Community College District. The discussion focused on equipping students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in an AI-driven world and emphasized the importance of strong academia-industry collaboration. Each spoke of the innovations with industry to co—create workforce solutions.

Highlighting the Chamber’s current work, a second panel, A Paradigm Shift: Collaboration Between Business & Academia, moderated by Devorah Lieberman, Ph.D., President Emerita, University of La Verne, featured panelists Berenice Núñez Constant (AltaMed), Alberto J. Román, Ph.D. (LACCD), and Mamoon Syed, MHA (CHLA). The conversation focused on aligning education and industry to prepare students for healthcare careers, ensuring cross-sector collaboration to strengthen workforce readiness.

In a fireside chat, Innovation and Leadership in Healthcare Systems and Education, moderated by Jaelyn Kwan, Partner, McKinsey & Company, with Professor David Quam, MD, Clinical Professor & Director of Healthcare Systems Engineering, LMU, explored how industry leaders can contribute to educational systems to inform instruction in the classroom. Through these models, academia can create meaningful outcomes for students and communities.

The Summit concluded with a closing reception in the Hannon Courtyard, where attendees continued the conversation and strengthened connections.

THANK YOU

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor: Loyola Marymount University; Silver Sponsor: Amazon; Bronze Sponsors: Gensler, Los Angeles Community College District, University of West Los Angeles, and Western Governors University.

These discussions provided valuable insights on building impactful partnerships, fostering workforce readiness, and advancing innovation. They underscored the critical role of collaboration between business and education in preparing Los Angeles’ students for the evolving job market.

Thank you once again for your continued support of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.