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Cal Lutheran SOM Holds Center for Economics of Social Issues Conference

On February 28, our Center for Economics of Social Issues (CESI) held its 2025 annual conference titled "Affording a Dignified Life on The Central Coast of California" at the Lundring Events Center (s. photos below). Based on the research by CESI Executive Director Jamshid Damooei, this conference brought the question, "Is California a land of opportunity for many of its people or a mirage of a better life that does not materialize for the majority?" to life. After an inspiring opening by President John NunesKirk Lesh (Economics) and Sabith Khan (Director, MPPA) presented "Addressing Housing Insecurity Among Migrant and Vulnerable Populations in Ventura County", followed by Jamshid Damooei's presentation titled "Affording a Dignified Life on the Central Coast of California" After a panel with Vanessa Bechtel (CEO, Ventura County Community Foundation), Cesar Morales (Ventura County Superintendent of Schools), Bruce Stenslie (CEO, Economic Development Collaborative), and Sean Veal (VP and CRA Investment Manager at City National Bank), a packed room of guests from government, the non-profit sector, business and academia engaged in spirited conversations. The full report underlying the event is available here. Thanks go to Rosie Baker and graduate student Ruslan Korchagin for their immeasurable help with the event and the report.

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