On Wednesday, July 28th, 2021 Santa Cruz works held our first in-person CEO / C-Level Works luncheon since the start of the pandemic. CEO/C-Level luncheon is a peer-to-peer space for leaders, CEOs, and executives to meet up, connect, and troubleshoot issues.

Discussion during the luncheon largely revolved around how to provide support to women in business, startups, and especially in the field of tech which is often a heavily male-dominated space. Other atendees also shared their thoughts on “The Great Resignation”, the name for the 2021 trend in which employers are seeing a record number of employees quitting their jobs. 2020 allowed people to take time to reflect on their personal and professional goals and many are now searching for a job and workplace that aligns with the new era and their goals. One attendee noted that workplaces must step up to identify what makes their company unique and create incentives other than just paying a worker their hourly rate or salary such as establishing a supportive workplace culture.

Kate Roberts, president of Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, presented the ways in which housing and broadband internet are intertwined. MBEP worked with Cruzio Internet and additional community partners to bring free internet access to underserved communities such as Buena Vista Migrant Center in Watsonville. Kate also shared the exciting news that Monterey Bay Economic Partnership has been selected as the host for the 10th Annual California Economic Summit taking place in Monterey during November 8-10th and California Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to attend.

After a year of hosting CEO Works online and virtual meetings, it was refreshing to be in person together and to finally have the opportunity to engage, network, and develop relationships with a variety of people in the community. Special thanks to our sponsors, ProductOps for providing the space, Greg Wimp of Capitola/Scotts Valley Togos for providing boxed lunches, and Orion Melehan of Lifeaid for the beverages.