Gil Alvarado is the Chief Financial and Investment Officer (CFIO) of the Prebys Foundation, where he helps steward a $1.2 billion portfolio with an eye toward both strong returns and strong community benefit. A national thought partner in mission-aligned investing, Gil brings an entrepreneurial mindset to philanthropy—designing funds, partnerships, and investment strategies that help fuel innovation, expand opportunity, and strengthen San Diego’s long-term resilience.

This Episode:

How can a foundation use the full breadth of its resources to support a thriving region?

Grant and Gil unpack how the foundation’s investment strategy works in tandem with its grantmaking to advance health, creativity, and economic opportunity in San Diego. Gil explains how the $50 million Prebys Venture Fund backs early-stage life science and tech companies; why investments in affordable housing, small-business lending, and civic revitalization expand what’s possible for the region; and how patient capital (long-term investment) lets a foundation take the long view on challenges like climate resilience and the blue economy.

This episode offers an accessible look at how financial strategy, mission, and community well-being intersect.

Key Moments

• [0:57] What impact investing means at Prebys
• [3:44] Inside the Prebys Venture Fund and its early investments
• [7:30] Using capital to expand affordable housing and small-business access
• [24:16] Why integrating impact into investing is still rare—and what’s changing
• [42:20] Why even a “small” portfolio can catalyze big change

Resources

• Prebys Impact Investing - Using all of our financial resources to advance an inclusive and equitable future for San Diego
• Prebys Ventures Impact Fund – Investing in life sciences and health innovation in San Diego
• Prebys Ventures First Investments – 5 startups advancing medical research and patient care
• Stop & Talk: Preeti Bhattacharji – Listen to our 2024 episode with Preeti Bhattacharji, Head of Sustainable Investing at J.P. Morgan Chase Private Bank, who talks about impact investing and social impact.

Take Action

Tips for organizations looking to expand their impact through investments:

• Leverage Full Portfolios – Consider how endowment investments, not just grant dollars, can advance mission and strengthen local ecosystems.
• Commit for the Long Term – Use patient, flexible capital to support solutions that require multi-year development.
• Grow Local Innovation – Back entrepreneurs, researchers, and community builders who are shaping the region’s future.
• Build Strategic Partnerships – Collaborate with public, private, and community partners to amplify impact and unlock larger opportunities.

Credits:
This is a production of the Prebys Foundation
Hosted by Grant Oliphant
Co-Hosted by Crystal Page
Co-produced by Crystal Page and Adam Greenfield
Engineered by Adam Greenfield
Production Coordination by Tess Karesky
Video Production by Edgar Ontiveros Medina

The Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego’s own Mr. Lyrical Groove.
Download episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPod cast .org

Special thanks to the Prebys Foundation Team

If you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe

Walking Shield has spent nearly four decades improving quality of life for Native communities across the United States—bridging sovereign tribal nations with philanthropy, federal agencies, and the U.S. military. Alongside the Walking Shield team, Executive Director, Dr. John Castillo, and Senior Fellow, Mariano Diaz help tribes build the capacity needed to secure federal funding, strengthen infrastructure, and advance true self-determination. Their work blends grassroots trust-building with systems-level strategy, supporting tribes on projects ranging from road repairs and water access to energy development, environmental co-management, and leadership planning.

This Episode:
What does true collaboration with tribal nations require?

Dr. John Castillo and Mariano Diaz highlight the deep assets that guide Native communities, including long-standing governance traditions, cultural and environmental knowledge, and a strong commitment to collective well-being. They share how Walking Shield helps tribes use these strengths to access federal resources, plan for long-term development, and steward land and water. They also discuss the systemic barriers tribes still face, such as underinvestment and complex federal requirements, and how capacity-building can make a meaningful difference.

Together with Grant, they explore San Diego’s uniquely rich tribal landscape, the growing promise of co-management of natural resources, and why trust, relationship-building, and listening first are essential for any partnership with Indian Country. At its heart, the conversation offers a long view of resilience and strategy, reminding us that when Native leadership is honored and communities have the tools to act on their priorities, progress becomes both possible and lasting.

Key Moments:

• [9:40] San Diego has the most tribes per capita and what that means for the region
• [14:02] The capacity gap: why many tribes can’t access federal funds designed for them
• [16:34] Everybody benefits: how the National Guard helped rebuild dangerous reservation roads
• [34:10] Co-management, water rights, and environmental stewardship
• [51:15] What partnership looks like when it works

Resources Mentioned:

• Walking Shield – Improving quality of life for Native communities since 1986
• Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association – Regional tribal leadership and coordination
• Prebys Foundation’s BRIDGE Initiative – Supporting organizations that expand community capacity

Take Action:

• Read and Learn More— Explore the history and present realities of San Diego’s tribal nations.
• Build Relationships — If you work in philanthropy, government, or community development, ask how you can learn directly from tribal leaders.
• Support Sovereignty — Advocate for funding systems that recognize tribal governments’ authority and needs.
• Visit and Listen — When invited, spend time on tribal lands to understand local priorities firsthand.
• Keep the Long View — Remember that partnership, persistence, and shared purpose can outlast political cycles.

Credits:
This is a production of the Prebys Foundation
Hosted by Grant Oliphant
Co-Hosted by Crystal Page
Co-produced by Crystal Page and Adam Greenfield
Engineered by Adam Greenfield
Production Coordination by Tess Karesky
Video Production by Edgar Ontiveros Medina

The Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego’s own Mr. Lyrical Groove.
Download episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPod​cast​.org

Special thanks to the Prebys Foundation Team

If you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe

Brandon Steppe left a corporate career to start a recording studio in his garage—never imagining that a few persistent neighborhood kids would change his life. Those early studio sessions grew into the David’s Harp Foundation, a nonprofit where justice-involved and opportunity youth in San Diego discover their voices and chart a path forward through music, media, and mentorship.

This Episode

Can rhythm and relationship change a young person’s life?

Brandon shares how vulnerability and honesty became cornerstones of his organization’s culture, starting with a simple practice he calls flashlight first: mentors shine the light on themselves before asking youth to open up. From those early lessons grew a creative community that helps youth connect to support, record songs behind detention walls, and build micro-enterprises that pay real wages and teach real skills.

Together with Grant, Brandon explores how art heals, how relationships transform justice, and how community-rooted workforce programs can help young people thrive.

Key Moments:

• [4:05] How one determined teenager changed Brandon’s path
• [8:28] “Flashlight first”—earning trust through vulnerability
• [22:54] The importance of relational support
• [32:52] Creating access and opportunity in the creative economy
• [43:35] Turning a $1M gift into transformational community-based housing

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• David’s Harp Foundation – Empowering youth through music, media, and mentorship
• Brandon Steppe TEDx Talk – On honesty and human connection
• Prebys Foundation Workforce Initiative – Supporting career pathways for youth

Take Action:

• Listen First – Practice “flashlight first” in your own conversations.
• Invest in Creativity – Support programs that give young people tools to tell their stories.
• See Youth as Talent – Hire, mentor, or collaborate with local young creators.
• Value Relationship – Support programs that center relational care, not control.

Credits:

This is a production of the Prebys Foundation
Hosted by Grant Oliphant
Co-Hosted by Crystal Page
Co-produced by Crystal Page and Adam Greenfield
Engineered by Adam Greenfield
Production Coordination by Tess Karesky
Video Production by Edgar Ontiveros Medina

The Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego’s own Mr. Lyrical Groove.
Download episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPod​cast​.org

Special thanks to the Prebys Foundation Team

If you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe

Richard Tate is the President and CEO of the California Wellness Foundation, where he leads with clarity, courage, and hope. A communications strategist turned first-time CEO, Richard embraces the power of philanthropy not just to fund change, but to stand up for values. Under his leadership, Cal Wellness has become a bold voice for health and racial justice at a time when those commitments are under attack.

This Episode:

What does it mean for foundations to step out from behind the desk and lead with courage?

Grant and Richard explore why this moment calls for philanthropy to mobilize more than just dollars—to use its voice, influence, and resources in defense of equity and community well-being. Richard shares what it’s like to lead through fear, why Cal Wellness is “spending up” in response to urgent need, and how hope remains a discipline for leaders navigating turbulent times. Along the way, he reflects on lessons from his parents, the Civil Rights Movement, and peers who inspire him to push beyond comfort zones.

From navigating attacks on diversity and equity to reimagining healthcare in California, this conversation is a call to speak out, act boldly, and build a healthier, more just future together.

Key Moments:

• [5:18] Why leadership in philanthropy requires courage in polarized times
• [10:01] Using influence and access: how CEOs can open doors for community voices
• [24:36] Lessons from past movements that fuel courage today
• [42:08] Why civic engagement and democracy are health issues
• [47:38] What community organizations are teaching foundations about resilience and rebuilding

Resources Mentioned:

• California Wellness Foundation – Advancing health and racial justice for Californians
• #UniteInAdvance – A collaborative of foundations defending philanthropic freedom and equity
• Dr. Richard Besser – President and CEO of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Take Action:

• Spend Up and Speak Out – Push beyond the minimum in both giving and voice
• Stand With Partners – Protect and amplify grantees when they are targeted
• Invest in Democracy – Support civic engagement and organizing as core to health
• Choose Courage – Step out from behind the desk when communities cannot hide

Credits:

This is a production of the Prebys Foundation
Hosted by Grant Oliphant
Co-Hosted by Crystal Page
Co-produced by Crystal Page and Adam Greenfield
Engineered by Adam Greenfield
Production Coordination by Tess Karesky

Video Production by Edgar Ontiveros Medina
Special thanks to the Prebys Foundation Team

The Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego’s own Mr. Lyrical Groove.

Download episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.org

If you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe.

Scott Lewis is CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Voice of San Diego, the pioneering nonprofit newsroom he helped build nearly two decades ago. What began as an experiment in funding professional journalism outside of the old newspaper model is now a national template, proving that communities can sustain independent, fact-driven reporting. Scott is known for his candid, conversational style and his conviction that journalism is about creating a shared story that helps communities face hard truths and imagine better futures.

This Episode:

What role does local journalism play in sustaining democracy and helping communities rise to their challenges?

In this thought-provoking conversation, Scott and Grant trace the story of Voice of San Diego from its early days as a bold experiment to its present role covering the region’s toughest issues—from homelessness and housing to infrastructure, schools, and civic leadership. They explore how journalism can cut through partisanship and apathy by telling stories that matter, how San Diego’s unique civic culture shapes progress (and stalls it), and why shared stories are essential to purpose and belonging.

Scott also reflects on the responsibility of local media in a time when national trust is fractured and public funding for journalism is under attack. For him, it comes down to optimism: believing that communities are strong enough to face their biggest problems when they have the facts and the courage to talk about them.

Key Moments:

• [4:28] How San Diego became a model for nonprofit local journalism
• [9:08] Why Voice chose a candid, conversational style over traditional news “voice”
• [13:00] The impact of federal cuts to public media and what it means for NPR, KPBS, and local outlets
• [23:00] The challenges San Diego faces—housing, schools, homelessness—and why naming problems is an act of optimism
• [38:18] Why journalism is a “tiny investment” with massive community returns

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Voice of San Diego – Nonprofit newsroom pioneering new models for community-supported journalism
• Politifest – Annual public affairs summit hosted by Voice of San Diego
• Prebys Foundation Nonprofit News Support – $2 Million to San Diego nonprofit news outlets to strengthen local journalism and civic engagement

Take Action:

• Support Local Journalism – Subscribe, donate, or become a member of a nonprofit news outlet near you.
• Join the Conversation – Attend events like Politifest to engage directly with civic leaders and ideas.
• Seek Shared Stories – Talk with neighbors, attend community forums, and stay curious about San Diego’s future.
• Believe in Solutions – Remember that naming problems is the first step toward solving them.

Credits:

This is a production of the Prebys Foundation
Hosted by Grant Oliphant
Co-Hosted by Crystal Page
Co-produced by Crystal Page and Adam Greenfield
Engineered by Adam Greenfield
Production Coordination by Tess Karesky

Video Production by Edgar Ontiveros Medina
Special thanks to the Prebys Foundation Team

The Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego’s own Mr. Lyrical Groove.

Download episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.org

If you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe.

Claudia Rodriguez-Biezunski is the founder of Sew Loka, a community-driven textile art studio in San Diego’s Barrio Logan. A self-taught artist and entrepreneur, Claudia transforms reclaimed fabrics into vibrant, one-of-a-kind pieces that weave together personal history, cultural identity, and environmental consciousness. From collaborating with pro sports teams like the San Diego Wave and San Diego FC to teaching teens how to upcycle thrifted finds, her work proves that sewing is alive and thriving.

This Episode:

How can a needle and thread become a force for cultural preservation, sustainability, and self-expression?

In this lively conversation, Claudia shares how her father’s denim business planted the seeds for her creative path, why she’s committed to slow fashion over fast trends, and how Sew Loka has grown into a hub for artistry and connection. She talks about the meditative rhythm of sewing, the power of “grandma crafts” to calm the mind and inspire the next generation, and the importance of reclaiming erased histories through art. Along the way, Claudia reveals why each piece she makes carries a narrative—from honoring her Chicana heritage to advocating for our planet—and how she’s building community one stitch at a time.

Plus, check out the extraordinary pieces Claudia shared in the video recording.

Key Moments:

[3:35] Why denim is both a family legacy and an environmental challenge
[12:25] Sewing as an art form for storytelling and expression
[18:58] Fast fashion vs. slow fashion, and the joy of customizing
[27:33] The meditative effects of sewing
[35:31] Art as resilience in challenging times

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Sew Loka – Community-based textile art studio in Barrio Logan
• Skills Pay Bills Podcast – Claudia’s podcast that focuses on local makers and creators
• Arts: A Reason to Survive – A nonprofit offering arts programs for youth, including Sew Loka sewing classes
• SDFC’s Playmakers Program – An initiative that seeks to identify and showcase the talent of San Diego creatives who are contributing to the culture, substance, and flow of our community
  

Take Action:

• Mend & Upcycle – Try repairing or customizing a piece you already own to extend its life.
• Support Slow Fashion – Seek out and invest in makers who prioritize sustainability and originality.
• Host a Creative Gathering – Build connection by making art with others, whether it’s sewing, crafting, or something else.
• Preserve Cultural Stories – Use your craft to honor and document the traditions that shaped you.
• Share Skills – Teach someone a “grandma craft” and help pass on sustainable, creative practices.

Credits:

This is a production of the Prebys Foundation
Hosted by Grant Oliphant
Co-Hosted by Crystal Page
Co-produced by Crystal Page and Adam Greenfield
Engineered by Adam Greenfield
Production Coordination by Tess Karesky
Video Production by Edgar Ontiveros Medina

The Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego’s own Mr. Lyrical Groove.
Download episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPod​cast​.org

Special thanks to the Prebys Foundation Team

If you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe

Afira Arrastia-DeVries is the President and CEO of the Monarch School Project, the only K–12 public institution in the U.S. solely dedicated to educating unhoused students. A 2025 Prebys Leadership Awardee, Afira brings a powerful combination of heart, strategy, and passion to her work. As a sociologist, advocate, and leader, she’s reshaping education around support, community, and the radical act of seeing children not for their struggles, but for their gifts.

This Episode:
What happens when you stop trying to “fix” kids and start believing in them?

In this meaningful conversation, Afira shares how Monarch School is redefining what education can look like for unhoused students. Through a strengths-based approach, the school offers not just academics but community, care, and dignity for students and their families. We explore the profound impact of trauma-informed teaching, why children thrive when given space to define themselves, and how systems must change to meet the moment.

Afira and Grant also go deep on leadership, advocacy, and why silence is no longer an option in the face of policies that harm the most vulnerable. This is a conversation about courage, truth-telling, and the belief that every child is worthy of joy, safety, and possibility.

Key Moments:
[5:45] How Afira’s childhood shaped her leadership
[16:29] Why a separate school for unhoused youth isn’t segregation, but safety
[24:14] What a strengths-based approach looks like in practice
[39:01] Why Afira believes advocacy is the job and what fuels her to speak out
[47:00] How students are affected by fear and family separation policies

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Monarch School – A unique public-private partnership in San Diego serving unhoused students
• Opinion: Unhoused youth deserve help and compassion, not cruelty - Afira’s op-ed in the San Diego Union-Tribune
• McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act – Federal legislation affecting educational access for homeless youth
• Prebys Leadership Awards – Honoring bold and visionary local leaders

Take Action:

• Honor Kids' Strengths – Ask a child what they’re proud of. Let them lead.
• Learn About Strength-Based Care – Shift from “What’s wrong?” to “What’s strong?”
• Support Monarch School – Donate, volunteer, or share their work with others.
• Speak Up – Challenge policies rooted in blame and scarcity. Lead with love.
• Be That One Adult – Stability starts with someone showing up. You can be that person.

Credits:

This is a production of the Prebys Foundation
Hosted by Grant Oliphant
Co-Hosted by Crystal Page
Co-produced by Crystal Page and Adam Greenfield
Engineered by Adam Greenfield
Production Coordination by Tess Karesky
Video Production by Edgar Ontiveros Medina

The Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego’s own Mr. Lyrical Groove.
Download episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPod​cast​.org

Special thanks to the Prebys Foundation Team

If you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe

Peter Ellsworth is a longtime San Diegan, civic leader, and founding force in modern philanthropy. From his early days in law and healthcare to his visionary role at the helm of the Legler Benbough Foundation, Peter has lived a life steeped in service, humility, and quiet transformation. A member of the Prebys Foundation Board, he remains a guiding voice for how philanthropy can—and must—listen first.

This Episode:
What happens when a foundation listens before it leads?

Grant and Peter explore the evolution of philanthropy in San Diego and how Peter helped pioneer a relationship-driven, trust-based approach to giving. They discuss the opportunities of working in hyperlocal neighborhoods, the importance of humility in leadership, and why building genuine partnerships with community leaders creates lasting impact. From Southeast San Diego to Balboa Park, Peter’s story is a reminder that the best ideas come from the ground up.

Along the way, Peter shares personal reflections, including his father’s lasting advice: It’s not about you.

Key Moments:
[11:22] Peter's start in Philanthropy and why he did things differently
[13:31] The four words that shaped Peter’s leadership: “It’s not about me”
[23:24]The radical idea of trust-based philanthropy
[30:35] The teen center that designed by what teens actually wanted
[5:50] What San Diego needs to realize its boldest ideas

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Legler Benbough Foundation – A now-spent-down foundation that helped reshape civic life in San Diego through trust-based, community-rooted philanthropy
• Outdoor Outreach – Empowering young people through outdoor experiences and leadership development
• Forever Balboa Park – Supporting the preservation and enhancement of Balboa Park

Take Action:

• Practice Trust-Based Philanthropy – Start by building authentic relationships, not just reviewing proposals
• Listen to Community First – Let the people closest to the work guide the solutions
• Rethink Power in Philanthropy – As Peter reminds us, “Every good idea we came up with...came from somebody I had a relationship with"
• Support Local Leadership – Invest in the people and organizations already making a difference

Credits:
This is a production of the Prebys Foundation
Hosted by Grant Oliphant
Co-Hosted by Crystal Page
Co-produced by Crystal Page and Adam Greenfield
Engineered by Adam Greenfield
Production Coordination by Tess Karesky
Video Production by Edgar Ontiveros Medina

The Stop & Talk theme song was created by San Diego’s own Mr. Lyrical Groove.
Download episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.org

Special thanks to the Prebys Foundation Team