Shahriar Afshar​

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Shahriar Afshar is the Founder and CEO of the Autism Innovation Lab, leading national efforts to advance inclusive housing, business, and innovation for the autism and IDD community. A retired public servant with over 30 years in public-private partnerships, Afshar previously served as the Port of San Diego’s Director of Government & Civic Relations and project lead for the $500 million San Diego Convention Center Expansion Project. He also spent five years with Verizon managing municipal engagement initiatives across Southern California. He has established & lead multiple nonprofits from local food pantries & political organizations to national trade associations in Washington DC. Shahriar is a frequent media contributor to local TV, print & national outlets and a requested speaker on public policy, innovation, inclusion, and community engagement at major conferences. He is the host of AutismSpa.com podcasts on Spotify and formerly the host of a political podcast on KIRN670AM Radio in Los Angeles. Shahriar has two teenage sons, one neurodivergent who attends a private school and one neurotypical who attends CCA.

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Jeff Szekeres

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Jeff Szekeres is the Co-Founder and CEO for Compete for Causes LLC where he is responsible for driving the strategic direction of the organization and executing on its philanthropic fitness events. He works full-time in the Corporate Development organization at Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR), a healthcare focused life sciences and diagnostics conglomerate. Jeff received an MBA in Finance with Honors from the Wharton School, a Master of Biotechnology from the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and a bachelor’s degree in human biology and genetics from Stanford University. Jeff lives with his wife and three children ages 11 to 16 years old in Solana Beach, CA and enjoys hiking, mountain biking, OneWheel-ing, and skiing.

 

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Linda Litteral​

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Linda Litteral is a multi-faceted artist working with multiple medias. Linda earned her MFA from San Diego State University (SDSU). Her thesis was an exploration of art as a way to expose and heal childhood abuse. Teaching experience includes SDSU, Mesa, Miramar, Grossmont, and Southwestern Colleges. Also teaching art healing classes to inmates at Las Colinas and East Mesa Detention Centers and Donovan State Prison. She is a member of Allied Craftsman and emeritus director of the Feminist Image Group. Her book Show and Tell: Healing from Trauma through Art shows how to heal through art.​​​​​

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Michael Cherman

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Michael Cherman is a designer, entrepreneur, and creative director best known as the founder of Market Studios (formerly Chinatown Market), a Los Angeles–based design studio and brand recognized for its boundary-pushing collaborations with global icons like Converse, Crocs, Smiley, and the Grateful Dead. Known for moving at the speed of the internet, combining expertise in streetwear, sport, and culture, Cherman blends design and storytelling to create products and experiences that tap on nostalgia with a modern take. Mike is always focused on bridging worlds of sport, culture and design through product. 

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Gabriella Bigler​

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Hey! I’m Gabriella Bigler, a 16 year old junior here at CCA. I’ve lived in San Diego for the past 5 years and have a passion for being involved with the local community. I’m an athlete, student, and artist but I also happen to be legally blind due to various eye conditions I’ve had since birth. I’ve learned to embrace my impairment and doing so has helped me flourish in new ways. I hope that my journey in my identity inspires you to reflect and perhaps embrace your own uniqueness and be unapologetically you. ​

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Ethan Leem​

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  Ethan Leem is a sixteen-year-old junior at Canyon Crest Academy. He has been passionate about indigenous studies and began working with the Maasai tribe in Kenya this year to not only learn about the Maasai but also bring their philosophies and ways of life to the Western world. Simply put, Ethan believes that so-called big modernized problems in the world that we live in don’t really need big modernized solutions, and that indigenous knowledge can create scalable solutions for all of us. He is very excited to share what he has learned about flourishing with CCA.

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Daniel Zhang​

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As Co-Founder and President of STEAMLabs International, I’ve led 30+ free science nights and camps, grown 11 chapters across the U.S. and abroad, and built a team of 100+ volunteers to bring hands-on experiments to thousands of underserved students. I also conduct cancer research as an High School Affiliate Scholar (one of 12 selected statewide) at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCDCCC), where I’ve presented my work at the annual UCDCCC Cancer Symposium. Outside of science, I’m an all-state pianist who has performed internationally in venues like Carnegie Hall and the Tokyo opera Hall, and I direct a music outreach program for seniors through HANG. Whether in a lab, on stage, or in a classroom, my vision is to use curiosity and creativity to build community, expand access to opportunity, and help others flourish in their own way.

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Avani Goyal​

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Avani is a sophomore at CCA who’s constantly chasing curiosity. Whether she’s helping build robots or planning events, she loves diving into new experiences and meeting new people along the way. Known for her endless energy, Avani truly believes that she thrives on exploring the intersections of creativity, leadership, and innovation. Outside of school, you’ll probably find her sketching, playing music, or reading. Her talk explores the beauty of individuality and why success isn’t a ‘One Size Fit All.’ By sharing her story, she hopes to inspire others to flourish on their own terms, and embrace the journey of finding themselves and their true “fit”.​