CORPORATE LEADER AWARD

 Karen is a marketing and corporate communications executive with an over 25-year track record of making an impact working for emerging market leaders in the biotech industry. As a trained scientist who transitioned from the bench to the business side, Karen leverages her background to create strategies, initiatives and communications that resonate across technical and non-technical audiences, with a passion for paving the way for the next generation of leaders in science. 

LinkedIn  

Company: Illumina 

 Pamela Gabriel is a Senior Vice President; San Diego Market Manager for Bank of America. In her role, she delivers the bank’s environmental, social and governance commitments for the San Diego Market by identifying, building and growing community partnerships. She is responsible for implementing the Bank of America Charitable Foundation strategies in support of non profit organizations that support economic mobility with a particular focus on closing long term systematic gaps for communities of color. 

LinkedIn  

Company: Bank of America 

 Sarah has built her career in consulting, non-profit international development and in tech for the last 11 years. She is a Manager of Inclusion and Diversity at Qualcomm and prior was at Amazon focusing on their Applied Science Programs. She speaks frequently on panels in San Diego and in national D&I conferences and most recently, organized a Tech Women Summit in San Diego. She is currently pursuing her Executive MBA at the Wharton Business School and advises and consults with many other national and local nonprofits on strategy 

LinkedIn 

Company: Qualcomm 

 Lydia McGee is the Principal Public Affairs Representative with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Through the Business Outreach program, she works to promote business and economic development in the area of contracting opportunities for regional, small, and disabled veteran business. The program represents a current reinvestment of more than $1 billion in small businesses. 

LinkedIn 

Company: Metropolitan Water 

 Over the last 25+ years, I have been committed to empowering individuals and teams to foster maximum personal and professional development. Currently, I am the Director of Training and Developing at Taylor Guitars, inspiring and enabling our teams as they develop to their full potential. 

LinkedIn 

Company: Taylor Guitars

 Karleen Harp has been a member of the North San Diego County business community for over 20 years. She was a partner in a human resources consulting firm, a resume and LinkedIn branding strategist, and worked in several corporate HR roles. For the past four years she has served as the Human Resources Manager at Rainbow Municipal Water District in Fallbrook, where she has focused on creating a culture where all employees can thrive. 

LinkedIn

Company: Rainbow Municipal Water District