The What's Next Lecture Series Audio Archive
A collaboration between:
UC Santa Cruz, NextSpace Coworking + Innovation, and the City of Santa Cruz

The Future of Food from Plow to Plate
Lecture 5 -Recorded May 11, 2011 - LISTEN     Read SC Sentinel article.

Some of the Central Coast’s most knowledgeable thought leaders together to discuss the seismic changes in the production, distribution and sale of food.
The panelists included Maureen Wilmot, executive director of the Organic Food Research Foundation, Bonny Doon Vineyard founder and biodynamic farming proponent, Randall Grahm, Scott Roseman, founder and owner of New Leaf Community Markets and Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue who is also president of Royal Rose, one of the largest producers of radicchio in the world. They explored ways that science, innovation and collaboration are having an impact and creating opportunities within the economic and social challenges facing those who grow our food. Sandy Skees, CEO of Communications4Good was the moderator.

Netflix & TechCrunch Fireside Chat

Lecture 4 -Recorded October 5, 2010 - LISTEN
The What’s Next Lecture Series continues its five part Innovation program with a fireside chat between Reed Hastings and Sarah Lacy on October 5, 2010 at the Del Mar Theater. Sarah Lacy, technology reporter for TechCrunch, interviews Reed Hastings, founder and CEO of Netflix about his company’s successful use of crowd sourcing for innovation. The lively conversation between Lacy and Hastings covers a wide range of topics including the company’s recent $1 billion streaming deal, its TV content approach and the unique Netflix corporate culture.
Download mp3.



The Revolution of Work
Lecture 3 -Recorded June 24, 2010 - LISTEN
The nature of work is fundamentally changing. Technology, demographics, an increased emphasis on environmental sustainability, and a renewed quest for good, old-fashion sanity are driving this once-in-a-century shift in how, where, and why we work. The panel discusses how this shift will (or maybe won’t?) make us more productive, happy, and profitable. Panelists include best-selling author Rom Brafman; Joyce Shimizu, VP of Innovation at Plantronics, and Beau Trincia; Senior Environments Designer at IDEO. Sandy Skees, CEO of Communications4Good will moderate.

Innovations in Energy: New Sources, Crucial Savings, & How We’ll Finance It
Lecture 2 -Recorded April 28, 2010 - LISTEN
The panel featured Dr. James L. Sweeney, Director of the Precourt Institute for Energy Efficiency at Stanford University, Daniel Shugar, CEO of Solaria Corporation, and JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Energy.Paul Rogers, managing editor of Quest on KQED and the Natural Resources & Environment Writer at the San Jose Mercury News moderated the panel as they explore current trends and recent innovations in renewable energy production, business and residential efficiency devices and programs, and the investmentopportunities and trends driving opportunity and adoption .

Doing Well By Doing Good
Lecture 1 - Recorded Feb. 18, 2010 - LISTEN
The panel features Peter Meehan, CEO of Newman’s Own Organics, KoAnn Skrzyniarz, CEO of Sustainable Life Media, and Thomas W. Van Dyck, CIMA; Senior Vice President, Socially Responsible Investing at RBC Wealth Management. Sandy Skees, CEO of Communications4Good, will moderate the panel as it explores trends and success factors in companies with a social and environmental mission. These outstanding speakers provide current thinking, best practices and trends in sustainability and social innovation, examining how brands and the media are framing this business shift. Topics include an exploration of how businesses are responding to the social, environmental and economic challenges of today’s world with innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities.