
Speakers Program

Kevin Falconer - Former Mayor of San Diego
Kevin Falconer - Former Mayor of San Diego running for County Supervisor.

Bradley Voytek - Professor UCSD Department of Cognitive Science
Bradley Voytek, Professor in the Department of Cognitive Science at UC San Diego.

Captain Terry Kaltenbach - USS Midway Museum
Captain Terry Kaltenbach from the USS Midway Museum, spoke to the Optimists about the Midway’s story.

Erika Putnam - Director of Internship Programs for the Navy Marine Mammal Program
Erika Putnam who serves as the Director of Internship Programs for the Navy Marine Mammal Program.

Ron Salisbury - Inaugural San Diego Poet Laureate
Ron Salisbury - Inaugural San Diego Poet Laureate

Kristen Fogle - Executive Director of San Diego Writers, Ink Since 2013
Kristen Fogle - Executive Director of San Diego Writers, Ink Since 2013

Dean Nelson - Founder and Director of the Journalism Program at Point Loma Nazarene University
Dean Nelson the Founder and Director of the Journalism Program at Point Loma Nazarene University.

Don Kent - President & CEO Hubbs Research at SeaWorld
Don Kent, President & CEO and Celina Maggi, Director of Development, both from Hubbs Research at SeaWorld.




Mohamad Yassin - Entrepreneur, Author, and Optimist
Mohamad Yassin - Entrepreneur, Author, and Optimist

Shane Harris - Forest Fire Lookout Association (FFLA) San Diego & Riverside Chapter
Shane Harris - Forest Fire Lookout Association (FFLA) San Diego & Riverside Chapter


Dr. Steve Dowdy - Research Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology
Dr. Steve Dowdy - Research Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology

Dr. Lisa Nunn - Director of the Center for Educational Excellence at USD
Dr. Lisa Nunn - Director of the Center for Educational Excellence at USD

Mindi Davis - Author and Distinguished Toastmaster
Mindi Davis “The Unbucket List” and Distinguished Toastmaster.

Ben Harwood - PT, MSPT, FAFS, CSCS, BFRC, Clinical Director of Rehab United, Point Loma
Ben Harwood - PT, MSPT, FAFS, CSCS, BFRC, Clinical Director of Rehab United, Point Loma

