The San Diego World Affairs Council Presents

About this Program:

Immigration has long shaped the identity, economy, and culture of the San Diego–Baja California region. Today, it remains one of the most significant—and often most debated—public policy issues facing our communities. As employers grapple with workforce shortages, governments respond to evolving immigration policies, and families pursue opportunity and security, important questions arise about the economic, ethical, and practical implications of immigration for our region's future.

As part of the Engage San Diego: Tough Topics, Real Discussion series, moderator Andrew Blum will lead a thoughtful conversation with community leaders  to examine these issues from multiple perspectives. Together, the panel will explore how immigration and immigration policy influence regional economic growth, workforce development, cross-border commerce, public services, and community well-being. The discussion will consider both the opportunities and the challenges immigration presents for employers, policymakers, and the broader San Diego economy, while also examining the ethical considerations that inform business and public policy decisions.

Rather than advocating for a single viewpoint, this program is designed to foster informed, respectful dialogue and deepen public understanding of one of the defining issues of our time. Through a balanced exchange of ideas, panelists will explore practical approaches to strengthening our region while recognizing the diverse perspectives that shape this complex conversation.

Join us for an engaging discussion that reflects the spirit of the Engage San Diego series—bringing together diverse voices to tackle difficult topics through civil discourse, informed analysis, and constructive community engagement.

What We’ll Explore

• Immigration and the Regional Economy
  How does immigration influence San Diego's workforce, economic growth, business competitiveness, and cross-border prosperity?
• Ethics, Policy, and Public Responsibility
  How can communities balance economic needs, humanitarian values, public safety, and the rule of law in shaping immigration policy?
• The Business and Government Perspective
  What roles do employers, local government, and community leaders play in addressing workforce challenges and creating opportunities for shared prosperity?
• The Future of Our Region
  As immigration policy continues to evolve, what practical solutions can help strengthen our economy, support our communities, and ensure the long-term success of the San Diego–Baja California region?

 About the Speakers:

Jessica Anderson

Jessica Anderson is the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, where she leads the organization's operations, public policy agenda, advocacy efforts, and long-term strategic vision. She also served as the Chamber's Interim President & CEO during the first half of 2025. With extensive experience in public policy, coalition building, and municipal government, Jessica previously served as a senior advisor to two San Diego mayors, where she helped negotiate major city agreements and oversaw development of the City's $6 billion annual budget. She has also worked in housing policy consulting and for the City of New York under the Bloomberg administration. Jessica serves on the boards of the San Diego Convention Center and Downtown San Diego Partnership and has been recognized as the San Diego Business Journal's 2024 Nonprofit Business Woman of the Year and one of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives' 2024 40 Under 40 emerging leaders.

Alanna Ow

Alanna Ow is a Senior Burnham Fellow at the Burnham Center for Community Advancement (BCCA), bringing more than 25 years of experience in systems leadership, institutional strategy, and cross-sector collaboration, grounded in deep expertise in immigration policy and operations. Her career has unfolded in complex, high-stakes environments where clarity, judgment, and alignment matter. She is widely known for helping organizations cut through uncertainty and make sound decisions when timelines are compressed and consequences are real.

Alanna previously served in Senior Executive Service roles within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, where she led international and domestic operations, crisis response, and large-scale organizational initiatives. She oversaw mission-critical activities, significant budgets, and diverse teams—often in rapidly evolving situations where outcomes carried real institutional and human consequence.

At BCCA, Alanna brings strategic insight and a facilitative approach grounded in real-world constraints. She works with leaders across sectors to surface what truly matters, strengthen collaboration, and translate shared intent into clear decisions, momentum-generating actions, and durable outcomes. She holds a Master of Public Administration from American University and an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Andrew Blum, Moderator 

Andrew Blum is the Senior Program Director at the Burnham Center for Community Advancement. The Center houses the OneSD Initiative, a growing coalition of more than 90 organizations working together to build a San Diego region where everyone is welcome and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Previously, Andrew served as Executive Director of the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego. During his tenure, he helped expand the Institute into one of San Diego's leading centers for research, dialogue, and action on peacebuilding, violence prevention, and social cohesion.

Drawing on decades of experience convening diverse stakeholders and fostering collaborative solutions to complex community challenges, Andrew continues to advance initiatives that strengthen civic trust, bridge divides, and promote inclusive leadership throughout the San Diego region.

***This event is free to the public, but seating is limited

and pre-registration is required. ***

The San Diego World Affairs Council does not endorse any specific political ideology or viewpoint. As a nonpartisan organization, we are committed to presenting a wide range of perspectives to promote informed, respectful dialogue on complex global issues. The opinions expressed by speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Council, its board, or its partners.

The San Diego World Affairs Council Presents

The Distinguished Speakers Series

About the Program:

The Middle East is undergoing one of the most significant geopolitical transformations in decades, shaped by regional conflicts, shifting alliances, and the emergence of a more multipolar world. At the center of these changes is the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a nation that has emerged as one of the region's most influential middle powers through its economic strength, diplomatic engagement, and increasingly independent foreign policy.

This program explores how Abu Dhabi is navigating evolving relationships with the United States, China, India, Russia, and its Gulf neighbors while balancing competing strategic interests. From the Abraham Accords to its evolving role in regional security and energy policy, the UAE has demonstrated a pragmatic approach that reflects both growing geopolitical ambition and a desire for greater strategic autonomy.

Join us as we examine how the UAE is shaping the future of the Gulf and the broader Middle East—and what its evolving role means for regional stability, global power competition, and the future of international diplomacy.

 

About Giorgio Cafiero:

Giorgio Cafiero is the CEO of Gulf State Analytics, a Washington, DC-based geopolitical risk consultancy. He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Georgetown University and an Adjunct Fellow at the American Security Project. Mr. Cafiero is a frequent contributor to Arab Gulf States Institute, Gulf International Forum, Stimson Center, Atlantic Council, and The New Arab.  Throughout Mr. Cafiero’s career, he has consulted many public and private sector entities, briefed diplomats of various countries on regional and international affairs, and worked as a subject matter expert for multinational law firms. Mr. Cafiero holds an M.A. in International Relations from the University of San Diego.

The San Diego World Affairs Council does not endorse any specific political ideology or viewpoint. As a nonpartisan organization, we are committed to presenting a wide range of perspectives to promote informed, respectful dialogue on complex global issues. The opinions expressed by speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Council, its board, or its partners.