Here’s what we’ve been up to…
public-private partnerships:
how do we all win?
On the evening of November 20th, we gathered at Manny’s in San Francisco for a timely conversation on the power and complexity of public-private partnerships. Moderator Adam Lashinsky, Editor at Large at the San Francisco Standard, guided the discussion through the collaborations that are reshaping neighborhoods, expanding essential services, and driving civic innovation.
David Stiepleman, Chair of the Downtown Development Corporation, spoke to the opportunities and tensions inherent in revitalizing a city’s core. Gloria Bruce, Program Director of Housing Security and Public/Private Partnerships at Crankstart, offered on-the-ground insights into how strategic collaboration can stabilize communities and expand access to critical resources. Manny Yekutiel, owner of Manny’s and candidate for District 8 Supervisor, reflected on the power of creating shared spaces and local leadership’s role in strengthening public trust.
As always, the conversation was candid and energizing. It surfaced both the promise and the practical challenges of partnerships that aim to serve the public good and left the room thinking not just about what makes these collaborations work, but what our city can achieve when they do.
Thurday, november 20, 2025
Art and Ai: what does it mean to creat in the age of ai?
Photos courtesy of Serena Liao (@cr_photography)
On October 29th at the Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco, a diverse panel of artists and thinkers gathered to explore the question, What Does It Mean to Create in the Age of AI?
Moderator Deborah Cullinan guided the conversation through the rapidly evolving relationship between art, ethics, and technology. Andy Gass, partner at Latham & Watkins, offered legal and historical insights into how creativity and authorship have evolved alongside waves of technological innovation. Caterina Fake, entrepreneur and co-founder of Flickr, reflected on the original promise of technology and its power to shape culture. Daniel Handler, writer and storyteller, considered how artistic expression can both resist and reinterpret the influence of machines. June Grant, RA, NOMA, principal of blinkLAB!, shared about AI usage and design grounded in community representation. Meklit Hadero, musician and cultural leader, spoke to the enduring human spirit of creativity and collaboration in the digital age.
The discussion was candid and alive. It wove together questions of authorship, ethics, and imagination.
wednesday, october 29, 2025
design to define: What makes a great, livable city?
At Yes SF headquarters on Bush Street, thought leaders from urban design, sustainability, and technology gathered for an IDEASXCHANGE exploring how our cities can thrive. The evening bridged local insights with national perspectives through dynamic dialogue between diverse experts.
Moderator and IDEASF Producer Jonathan Moscone guided the panel through modern urban successes and challenges. Adam Savage , maker and science communicator, brought his innovative approach to city-building questions, drawing from his experience as both a maker and longtime San Francisco resident-experimenter. June Grant from blinkLAB! shared architectural perspectives from projects spanning the globe to Oakland, where her firm pioneers cutting-edge civic design. Anne Torney of Mithun offered insights from nationwide design projects that are informed by deep community participation and are built for resilience. Rachael Tanner, Director of San Francisco's Citywide Planning Division, emphasized city government as a tool for people to get things done, rather than an obstacle to navigate.
The conversation wove together immediate actionable strategies with bold long-term visions, creating genuine dialogue between panelists and audience members alike.
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Artificial Intelligence: From Safety to National Security
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Hosted and moderated by Arjun Gupta, founder of TeleSoft.AI, a VC firm focused on AI startups. Joined in conversation with Rob Reich, Stanford University professor and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Human-Centered AI, and Anja Manuel, former Diplomat, author and co-founder of Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC.
