Driving the Inland Empire Economy
Chancellor Wolde-Ab Isaac, Chancellor of Riverside Community College District talks to the attendees at last year’s conference.
“Educational and economic transformation in the Inland Empire is fundamentally impossible without cross-sector, region-wide collaboration, cooperation and alignment. When we all work together, everyone wins,” said Ann Marie Sakrekoff, Growing Inland Achievement’s Interim CEO.
INLAND EMPIRE, CA – Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) will host its 7th annual Toward a Shared Vision summit on October 25–26 at the Riverside Convention Center. GIA is a nonprofit that networks education, government, nonprofit, and business partners in the Inland Empire.
The summit theme, “United in the Journey,” embodies the need for a collective impact approach that harnesses the combined efforts of the business community, the Inland Empire’s 56 K-12 school districts, 12 community colleges, two public universities, five private universities, many nonprofit organizations, economic development agencies, and government entities to address complex regional educational challenges and opportunities.
A video invitation fromAnn Marie Sakrekoff, Growing Inland Achievement’s Interim CEO
GIA expects 300 local leaders from the IE’s leading organizations to tackle longstanding regional educational and economic challenges.
“Educational and economic transformation in the Inland Empire is fundamentally impossible without cross-sector, region-wide collaboration, cooperation and alignment. When we all work together, everyone wins,” said Ann Marie Sakrekoff, Growing Inland Achievement’s Interim CEO.
GIA believes fostering an efficient, high-quality education system that creates access for all residents is critical to regional growth and prosperity. This commitment extends to building equitable structures to eradicate systemic racism, ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has an opportunity to succeed.
Sakrekoff underscores the significance of uniting together, stating, “We understand that it takes all stakeholders’ collective efforts and collaboration to drive transformative change.”
Participants will engage in collaborative discussions, workshops, and team breakouts, focusing on strategies and solutions to expedite equitable educational opportunities and pathways to student success.
Two distinguished keynote speakers will highlight the event: Dr. Anton Treuer and Dr. Victor Rios.
Keynote speaker: Dr. Anton Treuer is a renowned author and Professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University, recognized for his work in race relations and indigenous languages.
Dr. Treuer is a renowned author and Professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University, recognized for his work in race relations and indigenous languages.
Dr. Victor Rios, the MacArthur Foundation Chair and Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, specializes in equity, anti-racism, cultural responsiveness, resilience, closing the opportunity gap, teacher well-being, and restorative justice.
Dr. Rios, the MacArthur Foundation Chair and Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, specializes in equity, anti-racism, cultural responsiveness, resilience, closing the opportunity gap, teacher well-being, and restorative justice.
To secure a seat, attendees are encouraged to register early, as availability is limited. Early bird registration is $109 until September 30, 2023, and $129 after. Conference registration includes access to all keynote and breakout sessions and event parking, as well as breakfast and lunch on both days. All proceeds from the event will support GIA’s student scholarship fund.
For more information and to register, please visit the GIA website at InlandEmpireGIA.org.
Dr. Sorrel Stielstra, Director of Research for GIA, addresses participants in a breakout room
Dr. Kristi Woods, Dean of Instruction, Languages, Humanities and Social Sciences, Riverside City College & Dr. FeRita Carter, Vice President, Student Services, Riverside City College
Chancellor of Riverside Community College District; Chancellor Kim Wilcox welcomed the group.
Event Main Room attendees
Left to Right: Chancellor Wolde-Ab Isaac, Chancellor of Riverside Community College District; Chancellor Kim Wilcox, University of California Riverside; Brian Haynes, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, University of California Riverside.
Kristopher Acevedo, Educational Advisor and Associate Faculty, Riverside City College, talks with Emma Diaz, Director of, the California Adult Education Program at Inland Adult Education Consortium
A participant writes notes on the board in a breakout room
About Growing Inland Achievement
Growing Inland Achievement, which serves both San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, is a regional cross-sector network of education, government, nonprofit, and business partners in the Inland Empire, collectively working towards a shared vision of educational and economic success.
GIA staff support this work by researching issues and opportunities, developing financial resources for the region, and connecting diverse stakeholders across the two-county region of the Inland Empire.
GIA’s shared vision is that by 2035, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties will be widely recognized for their educated workforce, thriving communities, and vibrant economy that creates prosperity for all.