We Can Lead In Diversity Equity and Inclusion Too

San Diego as a Market-Leading Innovation Economy

By Mike Krenn, CEO of Connect

Shocking revelation: The innovation sector is not as diverse as we would like. So let’s do better. At Connect, we’ve got a plan, we’ve got a new team leader, and we’ve already started.

San Diego County is diverse. White, non-Hispanic population is 49.5% of the overall population, compared to 64% in 2010, according to the newly released 2020 data. Nationwide, white people are 57.8% of the total population, down from 63.7% in 2010.

San Diego has a genuine opportunity to build the next great innovation region for generations to come. It’s not hyperbole. The megaregions (SF, NY, LA) are saturated, and San Diego has a current leadership position over cities like Seattle, Austin, Denver and Miami. We are uniquely strong in both life sciences and tech. The future is ours to build.

But… shouldn’t a world class region lead in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as well? Yes — you’re damn right we should. So we’re gonna do just that. (And in fact, if we do this right, we can deliver the road map to other regions as well.)

We think we can elevate and increase DEI within our large innovation companies, as well as our venture-backed startups. We think we can create a flywheel that over time will exponentially increase diversity, equity and inclusion across all of tech and life science in our region.

We think we can spread the geographic footprint of our tech and life science companies across the region and into more diverse communities, creating more economic opportunities for this generation and the next.

We think we can work with our city and county leaders to build an intelligent growth strategy and tactical plan across the entire San Diego / Tijuana Mega-Region.

And if we’re successful, all the work that so many other great nonprofits are working on — we will help elevate their efforts to drive exponential impact across our communities.

We have an audacious goal… as it should be. It’s also doable.

Is it going to happen overnight — no. But neither did our VC numbers. It took five years to go from one to five billion. Six years to get to $9B. But this is how we scale. As an economy, across the region.

It’s not about doing it. That’s a given. It’s about how to ACCELERATE it.

I am so excited to announce Regina Bernal is on board with Connect as our Strategic Inclusion Director, to lead our DEI efforts across the region. She is experienced, well-connected, wicked smart — and this is her passion. Regina is the right person to lead our drive forward. DEI will permeate everything we do at Connect. And we are going to drive that same approach across the entire technology and life science community.

We have a BIG vision. And we’re well aware — the one thing we cannot do is — is do it alone. It’s about inclusivity. We’re already moving forward. We’re building a group of core corporate leaders and market influencers. We’re getting support from key city and county leaders. And we’re super excited to be working alongside other key stakeholders.

We know that if we want our community to be more reflective of our region’s rich diversity — we need to be intentional about it.

If one company engages to elevate five people, and two others help fifteen, and another ten and so on… it will start to permeate. Year two will be easier than year one. And year five will look like $5 Billion, not $1 billion. I can’t tell you how many people said we couldn’t drive venture investment like we did. Together, we can do this too.

We know we need to listen. We know it’s not one size fits all.

We know we need to do better in South Bay, East County and Inland North County — our collective efforts will span the entirety of our region.

We know it’s inclusive from startups to public companies. On the startup side — if you know of great startups with diverse founders — please ask them to apply to our Cool Companies program. If you know diverse investors — we want to know them too. On the big company side — we have tangible programs to help you retain and attract and develop your diverse talent.

I’ll conclude here by also stating the obvious: I’m well-aware that I am a white male working in sectors with a lot of other white males. I also know I’m not the right person to lead this initiative, but I sure as hell can get behind Regina and our team, and support the effort. And so can everyone else who has a leadership role in this community. Let’s support the heck out of Regina, and the many other leaders who will help accelerate this vision.

Just as San Diego grew from $1B -$9B, it wasn’t all Connect. People help other people. Companies help other companies. The flywheel ensues. We did it with capital. Together, we can do this too. We can help the families of our community. Moms, dads and kids. We can help build a better, more inclusive mega-region: from TJ to North County to the East.

Our Ask: If you work in senior management at an innovation company with 50 or more employees — we want to talk to you. And if you’re not in senior management, but you’re at one of those companies and you feel inspired — forward this article up, and let them know Connect would love the opportunity to talk to them.

Let’s build a world class region. Let’s build the innovation community in a better way. Let’s Lead As A Region.

Together, we can do this San Diego.

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