Media/Press
Media Contact/Press Inquiries
May 14, 2026
Mayor Daniel Lurie, ‘Smart Girl Dumb Questions’ Podcaster, and Director of ‘The Last Black Man in San Francisco’ Headline IDEASF Forum
First-of-its-kind gathering grows its lineup of marquee innovators, educators, philanthropists, and civic leaders
San Francisco, CA — On June 2-3, IDEASF (IDEAS San Francisco) will bring together a rare mix of leaders shaping the future of business, technology, policy, and culture for a two-day forum designed to move ideas into action. IDEASF is more than a traditional conference, it is a curated, cross-sector gathering where decision-makers, creators, and innovators will collaborate in real time on the future of the Bay Area economy.
IDEASF will convene leaders who don’t often share the same stage, from AI pioneers and urban designers to artists, policymakers, and philanthropists -- set against the iconic San Francisco waterfront at Gap Inc. headquarters.
Through intimate roundtables and interdisciplinary sessions, participants will tackle urgent topics including AI and society, climate innovation, public-private partnerships, and the evolving role of arts and culture in civic life.
Featured speakers represent a powerful cross-section of industries and perspectives, including:
James Coulter, Executive Chairman & Director, TPG
Nayeema Raza - Former New York Times journalist and host of the award-winning podcast Smart Girl Dumb Questions, a Spotify Top 10 new show with millions of downloads/streams
Daniel Lurie - Mayor of San Francisco and founder of Tipping Point Community
Rob Reich - McGregor-Girand Professor of Social Ethics of Science and Technology at Stanford University
Joe Talbot - Award-winning filmmaker and director of The Last Black Man in San Francisco
Richard Dickson - President & CEO of Gap, Inc.
Zac Posen - Executive Vice President and Creative Director of Gap Inc. and Chief Creative Officer of Old Navy
Lex Sloane - Executive Director of the Roxie Theater
Rebecca van Bergen - Founder and Executive Director of Nest, a nonprofit supporting the responsible growth and creative engagement of the artisan and maker economy
“We are honored to welcome such a dynamic group of leaders to kick off the first-ever IDEASF forum,” said Kitty Boone, Principal, IDEASF + Ideas Collaborative. “We are achieving our goal of bringing together a broad lineup of intelligent, innovative speakers to explore the region’s most pressing topics so attendees can help transform insight into action.”
“I lived in San Francisco a decade ago," said Nayeema Raza, MC of IDEASF. “The city has gone through many shifts since then: a pandemic, political recalls and the pull of a new technological era in A.I. I’m excited to return and be in conversation with the people who now lead and make the city about where San Francisco ventures next.”
IDEASF is presented in collaboration with Gap Inc. and McKinsey & Company, with support from Bank of America and Advance SF. As organizations deeply rooted in San Francisco and committed to advancing an inclusive and resilient future, these partners reflect the strength of the Bay Area’s cross-sector ecosystem and its ability to drive innovation at scale.
For more information on schedule and ticket registration details, visit IDEASF. For a full session and speaker program, visit HERE.
For press pass requests, contact ngalvan@bodewellgroup.com.
About IDEASF
IDEASF (IDEAS San Francisco) is a platform and forum dedicated to advancing bold ideas at the intersection of innovation, culture, and civic life. Brought to you by leaders from the Aspen Ideas Festival and the Skoll World Forum IDEASF brings together leaders from business, academia, philanthropy, and the public sector. IDEASF exists to turn imagination into impact—fueling new thinking and collaborative action that shape San Francisco’s future and influence the world beyond it.
Press Release: April 8, 2026
The Bay Area’s Most Visionary Leaders Will Convene For Inaugural Forum in the Epicenter of Innovation
Leaders from companies like Gap Inc. and McKinsey will join Mayor Daniel Lurie and others for thought-provoking conversations at the West Coast’s new premier forum event
San Francisco, CA— In the city where world-shaping ideas are being created in real time, a brand-new event will host conversations, curated roundtables, and full-throated discussions on AI, medicine, climate tech, transportation, design, arts and culture and other industries that define civic life and the Bay Area economy.
On June 2-3, IDEASF (IDEAS San Francisco) will bring together influential minds in the Bay Area and the world. Led by the team responsible for the acclaimed Aspen Ideas Festival and Skoll World Forum, and supported by the Pisces Foundation and Advance SF, this gathering marks a defining event as the forces shaping the “Idea Economy” unite under one roof—in collaboration with Gap Inc., McKinsey & Company, and Bank of America.
“IDEASF exists to bring serious people together around serious ideas—without losing imagination, humanity, or hope,” said Kitty Boone, Principal, IDEASF + Ideas Collaborative. “This Forum marks a new chapter: a chance to shape the future, not just talk about it.”
Building on the momentum from IDEAxCHANGE events over the past year, IDEASF expands this model into a two-day high-impact experience, sparking collaboration across diverse stakeholders and accelerating the ideas shaping our future. Voices from across sectors will engage on issues from Art & AI and Philanthropy to Public/Private Partnerships, and Urban Design. Set against the iconic San Francisco waterfront at Gap Inc. headquarters, the Forum captures the city’s entrepreneurial energy and global perspective.
“As a company proudly founded in San Francisco, we care deeply about the city’s next chapter and the role we play in shaping it. At Gap Inc. our purpose is to bridge gaps to create a better world, and that comes to life by bringing people together across perspectives, disciplines, and ideas to imagine what’s next,” said Richard Dickson, President and CEO, Gap Inc. “Welcoming IDEASF into our headquarters is an extension of that belief, bringing some of the city’s brightest minds together for meaningful dialogue — in the gap — to help accelerate its momentum and strengthen our community.”
IDEASF is proud to collaborate with Gap Inc. and McKinsey as key partners, alongside sponsors Bank of America, and Advance SF, global leaders who call San Francisco home. Together, these powerhouse institutions embody the city’s unmatched ecosystem of innovation and civic leadership, united by a shared commitment to shaping a resilient, inclusive, and future-focused San Francisco.
The San Francisco Bay Area has long been a proving ground for ideas that reshape industries and improve lives,” said Laura Furstenthal, Senior Partner and Managing Partner, Western US, McKinsey & Company. “IDEASF represents exactly the kind of cross-sector dialogue needed in this moment—bringing together leaders across business, government, technology, and the arts to translate innovation into inclusive, durable impact. We’re proud to partner in a forum that not only sparks bold thinking but catalyzes action for the future of the Bay Area and beyond.”
“Advance SF is committed to fostering innovation and economic vitality in San Francisco. It is important that there is a regular meeting of people from all walks of life to share ideas that push us to imagine what’s possible,” said Wade Rose, President of Advance SF. “If we want to build the thriving, resilient, forward‑looking city we know San Francisco can be, we need platforms like IDEASF that spark new thinking and invite critical collaboration. ”IDEASF invites the media to share and experience this forum. For more information, ticket registration details, or press pass requests, visit IDEASF.
About IDEASF
IDEASF (IDEAS San Francisco) is a platform and forum dedicated to advancing bold ideas at the intersection of innovation, culture, and civic life. Brought to you by leaders from the Aspen Ideas Festival, Skoll World Forum, and Bloomberg CityLab, IDEASF brings together leaders from business, academia, philanthropy, and the public sector. IDEASF exists to turn imagination into impact—fueling new thinking and collaborative action that shape San Francisco’s future and influence the world beyond it. Register for the IDEASF Forum June 2+3, 2026.
GRAPHICS ASSETS
High Resolution Logo
