NextUp Southern California

NextUp Southern California NextUp is dedicated to achieving gender equity in the workplace and advancing all women in their careers.

Our nonprofit organization is a powerful community of professional women, their allies, and corporate partners.

08/27/2026

Ready to turn your 1:1s into high-impact conversations?

Join us for an interactive session with Dr. Heather Backstrom and learn fun, practical ways to spark strategic thinking and build stronger cross-functional relationships.

📅 Saturday, September 12, 2026
⏰ 9:00–11:00 AM
🎟️ Complimentary Event

More info in the bio! ✨

08/26/2026

TOPGOLF is just ONE week away! 
 
Tee up. Connect. Swing big. ⛳️ Whether you’re here to network, compete, or just have a great time, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

📅 We’ll see you at Topgolf next week. September 03, 2026 at 4PM.
 
Click the link in the bio & register today!

Two great upcoming opportunities to connect, learn, and grow with NextUp SoCal!⛳ Tee Up Connections📅 Thursday, September...
08/22/2026

Two great upcoming opportunities to connect, learn, and grow with NextUp SoCal!

⛳ Tee Up Connections
📅 Thursday, September 3 | 4–6 PM
📍 Topgolf El Segundo

Bring your competitive spirit and join us for an afternoon of golf, networking, and meaningful connections ft. an introduction by speaker, Allie Garcia, VP Marketing, Vallarta Supermarkets.

☕ Coffee Chat: Beyond the Gold Star ⭐
📅 Saturday, September 12 | 9–11 AM
📍 Innovate Marketing Group, Pasadena

Join the conversation on why hard work alone isn’t a strategy for success and discover actionable strategies for breaking the cycle of over-performance with Dr. Heather Backstrom. Enjoy complimentary coffee and a pastry while connecting with an inspiring peer circle. 🍰

Whether you're looking to expand your network, gain new perspectives, or simply connect with an incredible community, we'd love to see you there!

📲 Register on our website:
https://www.nextupisnow.org/events/event-calendar/?location=southern-california

08/18/2026

✨ Part 2: The moments, the conversations, and the connections that made the day so special! ⛵️☀️

From inspiring conversations to new friendships and plenty of smiles along the way, these photos capture the energy of our NextUp SoCal Duffy Boat Mentoring Circles. 💙

Thank you again to everyone who showed up, shared their stories, offered advice, and made space for meaningful connections. This is what community is all about. 💫

Until the next one! ⛵️✨

💡 AI success isn’t about spending more. It’s about making every AI investment count. As organizations continue to scale ...
08/16/2026

💡 AI success isn’t about spending more. It’s about making every AI investment count.

As organizations continue to scale AI, the question becomes “Where can AI create the most meaningful business value?”

💎 Where AI Creates Value
• Better decisions
• Employee productivity
• Automation
• Consumer insights

🔄 Where AI Costs Can Add Up
• Duplicate tools
• Overbuilt models
• Inefficient workflows
• Unused capacity

Join NextUp Southern California virtually this Friday, 8/21 for a timely and practical conversation on Reducing AI Operating Costs with Nick McCarty, Principal Consultant at Upskilled Consulting and former AI Instructor for Deloitte.

Nick will share practical strategies to help organizations optimize AI investments, reduce unnecessary spend, and get more value from the latest AI tools and resources.

✨ Come with your questions. Leave with ideas you can put into action.

Who should attend?
• Consumer Goods, Retail, Healthcare, Finance, and Entertainment professionals
• Leaders building or refining their AI roadmap
• Professionals who want practical AI strategies they can implement immediately

📅 Friday, August 21 | 12–1 PM PST
💻 Virtual Event

🔗 Join us — register today:
https://www.nextupisnow.org/events/event-calendar/nextup-socal-webinar-reducing-ai-operating-costs/

What’s one area where your organization could get more value from AI?

Drop it in the comments ✨ it may be part of the conversation on Friday. 👇

🌴✨ Let the networking fun continue - Join NextUp Southern California for another day of connection, conversation, and co...
08/15/2026

🌴✨ Let the networking fun continue - Join NextUp Southern California for another day of connection, conversation, and community at our upcoming in-person event Tee Up Connections!

We’re bringing our community together for an engaging TopGolf session featuring an introduction by Allie Garcia, VP of Marketing at Vallarta Supermarkets.

📅 September 3, 2026
⏰ 4:00–6:00 PM PST
📍 Topgolf El Segundo
💰 $50 Members | $60 Non-Members

Come meet new people, strengthen your network, and create meaningful connections with professionals across Southern California. 💜

Special thanks to our sponsors - Suntory Global Spirits & The Campbell's Company.

🎟️ Save your spot and join us!

08/14/2026

What a day! ☀️⛵️ Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for NextUp SoCal’s Duffy Boat Mentoring Circles!

We’re so grateful to our incredible mentors, speakers, members, and attendees who made the day so meaningful—sharing insights, building connections, and creating space for authentic conversations and mentorship. 💫

And a huge thank you to our amazing sponsors for helping make this experience possible: Ralphs Food4Less, Breakthru Beverage Group, Hormel Foods, and PepsiCo. We truly appreciate your support of the NextUp Southern California community and our mission to help leaders grow and thrive.

Here’s to new connections, meaningful mentorship, and the relationships that continue long after the boats dock. 💙

Thank you for making yesterday one to remember! ✨

The conversation around AI has changed.Not long ago, organizations were asking:🛒 Which AI tools should we buy?❓ Can AI h...
08/07/2026

The conversation around AI has changed.

Not long ago, organizations were asking:
🛒 Which AI tools should we buy?
❓ Can AI help us?
🧪 Where should we start?

Today, leaders are asking different questions:
✔ Which models should we use?
✔ How do we reduce operating costs?
✔ How do we prove ROI?
✔ How do we scale responsibly?

That's exactly what we'll explore during Reducing AI Operating Costs, hosted by NextUp Southern California.

Join AI expert Nick McCarty, Principal Consultant at Upskilled Consulting and former AI instructor for Deloitte, as he shares practical strategies for reducing AI costs while maximizing business value.

Who should attend?

• Consumer Goods, Retail, Healthcare, Finance, and Entertainment professionals
• Leaders building or refining their AI roadmap
• Professionals who want practical AI strategies they can implement immediately

Whether you're just beginning your AI journey or optimizing existing initiatives, you'll leave with practical insights you can apply immediately.

📅 Friday, August 21, 12-1 PM PST
💻 Virtual Event

🔗Register today:
https://www.nextupisnow.org/events/event-calendar/nextup-socal-webinar-reducing-ai-operating-costs/

Bring a colleague or invite someone in your network who's leading AI initiatives—we'd love to have professionals from across industries join the conversation.

What's the biggest AI question your organization is trying to answer today? Share it below—we'll address as many as we can during the session.

08/06/2026

Our Duffy Boat event is almost here ✨ Get ready to learn, connect, and be inspired on the water! Industry leaders and executives will lead conversations on today’s most relevant career and leadership topics.

📅 Thursday, August 13, 2026
🕒 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM PT
📍 Newport Beach, CA

🔔 Seats are limited! Register now, link in bio.

SPEAKERS & TOPICS:

🤖 Artificial Intelligence — Ashika Schroll

💡 From Microdiminishment to Maximum Impact — Dr. Heather Backstrom

🤝 Your Hidden Network — Heather DeLuca, MS

⭐ Building Your Personal Board of Directors — HeeSook Alden, MS featuring special guest Kiesha Nix, Former VP of Charitable Affairs, Los Angeles Lakers

🏆 Beyond the Seat at the Table — Leon Bergmann

🚀 Performance, Exposure, & Partnership: P.E.P. in Your Step — Subriana Pierce

💼 Innovation in Action — Clara Lahlouh Paye

🔥 Hotseat Leadership Coaching — Elaine Lou Cartas, MS, PCC

🛡️ Operation Safe Space — Detective Krist Mason

🔄 Career Shifts — Ariela Nerubay Turndorf

Duffy Boat Learning Experience – August 13Get ready to learn, connect, and be inspired on the water! Join us for an unfo...
08/04/2026

Duffy Boat Learning Experience – August 13

Get ready to learn, connect, and be inspired on the water! Join us for an unforgettable afternoon aboard the iconic Duffy Boats in Newport Beach, where industry leaders and executives will lead conversations on today's most relevant career and leadership topics.

✨ We're excited to announce a special update! Former Los Angeles Lakers VP of Charitable Affairs Kiesha Nix has joined our incredible speaker lineup and will be joining HeeSook Alden's boat in an engaging conversation on Building Your Personal Board of Directors. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from two accomplished leaders while building meaningful connections on the water.

🌊 This year's speaker & topic lineup features:

🤖 Artificial Intelligence — Ashika Schroll

💡 From Microdiminishment to Maximum Impact — Dr. Heather Backstrom

🤝 Your Hidden Network — Heather DeLuca, MS

⭐ Building Your Personal Board of Directors — HeeSook Alden, MS featuring special guest Kiesha Nix, Former VP of Charitable Affairs, Los Angeles Lakers

🏆 Beyond the Seat at the Table — Leon Bergmann

🚀 Performance, Exposure, & Partnership: P.E.P. in Your Step — Subriana Pierce

💼 Innovation in Action — Clara Lahlouh Paye

🔥 Hotseat Leadership Coaching — Elaine Lou Cartas, MS, PCC

🛡️ Operation Safe Space — Detective Krist Mason

🔄 Career Shifts — Ariela Nerubay Turndorf

Each speaker hosts their own boat, creating a unique small-group mentoring experience where meaningful conversations happen naturally.

📅 Thursday, August 13, 2026
🕒 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM PT
📍 Newport Beach, CA

⏳ Seats are limited! Reserve your spot today and experience an afternoon of learning, networking, and mentorship while cruising the beautiful Newport Harbor.

🎟️ Scan QR Code to sign up or register here: http://bit.ly/4gTcDv3

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible sponsors Hormel and Ralph's Food 4 Less for making this experience possible! We're especially excited to welcome PepsiCo and Breakthru Beverage Group as our newest event sponsors. Your support helps create meaningful opportunities for learning, mentorship, and connection. 💙

Address

53 Pier Ave
Hermosa Beach, CA
90254

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