As Mayor of this City, it’s an honor to reflect on the journey we’ve undertaken together since I joined the City Council in 2018. A period rich with moments that not only challenged us but also highlighted the strength and spirit of our community. Some of my most cherished moments include attending CERT Graduations, watching our D.A.R.E. program thrive, fostering relationships with the incredible staff I mentioned, participating in and organizing food drives, supporting the 2/11 Marines, delivering flags to our veterans, creating initiatives to support our small businesses, empowering the youth of our community whether the High School Youth Action Team, or the local troop of Girl Scouts, or visiting Clotilda, honoring one of the most senior members of our community on her birthday every year. It is impossible to capture it all… And this is what I want to leave you with as part of my legacy. The Irvine Accelerator. It is envisioned to be an innovative public-private partnership between the City of Irvine and Sunstone Management. It will create a strong, interconnected, inclusive, and successful entrepreneurial ecosystem in Irvine. Attracting and retaining the brightest ideas, people, and commercial ventures to our City. Moreover, as we all know, the innovation and start up ecosystem doesn’t equitably provide capital and support for women entrepreneurs. That’s why I initiated and supported the establishment of Innov8, the first innovation hub led by women for women. Innov8 will be established later this year, housed at Karma Automotive, and run by CerraCap Ventures’ nonprofit arm, CerraCares. The creation of an Irvine Accelerator will help put Irvine on the map as a premier location for individuals seeking to find and establish high-tech and future-focused business ventures. This public-private partnership with Sunstone Management is a major milestone in strengthening economic development in Irvine, facilitated through my establishment of an Innovation Council in 2021.
State City OF THE 2024
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