Burnham Center for Community Advancement

We had an amazing time celebrating the holiday season at our annual member holiday mixer, sponsored by San Diego Gas & Electric. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us last week at Good Night John Boy to celebrate and for your continued support of our organization. We are truly grateful for each and every one of you and wish you all the best in 2025.

What a Year, What a Design Legacy! 🌟 2024 was a transformative year for our community, and we at BCCA are honored to have been part of the journey. One of our region’s big accomplishments was hosting the world as part of our designation as World Design Capital. From the very beginning, we worked with our partners at the UC San Diego Design Lab, Design Forward Alliance, The City of San Diego, and Ayuntamiento de Tijuana B.C., to secure this historic designation and supported the planning around our signature events that took place in San Diego and Tijuana. Together, we celebrated the power of designing the future of our community by bridging divides, sparking innovation, and inspiring lasting change. From groundbreaking events to meaningful collaborations, this year has been a testament to what is possible when creativity meets community. As we proudly pass the torch to World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026, we reflect on the bridges we have built and the legacy of creativity and collaboration that will continue to thrive. To our incredible partners, organizations, and community members—thank you. Your passion and dedication made this year unforgettable and paved the way for a more inclusive, connected future. 🎥 Take a moment to watch the wrap-up video, celebrating the highlights of 2024. Here’s to the next chapter of design innovation. Let’s keep building a brighter world, together. #WDC2024 #WorldDesignCapital #WDO #BCCA #Frankfurt2026

Congratulations to our partners Forever Balboa Park, the The City of San Diego, and the dedicated park volunteers who have successfully completed the first phase of the Balboa Park Botanical Building and Garden Revitalization, breathing new life into one of our region’s most cherished landmarks! This transformational project is a shining example of how public-private partnerships can achieve extraordinary results. Investments like these not only enhance Balboa Park’s beauty but also preserve its history and ensure it remains a vibrant space for all to enjoy for generations to come. While there is still much work ahead to secure the park’s future, milestones like this are proof of what’s possible when we come together with a shared vision. At the Burnham Center for Community Advancement, we are proud to champion efforts that demonstrate the power of collaboration. Together, we can continue building a brighter future for Balboa Park! #SanDiego #BalboaPark #BotanicalBuilding #CommunityPride #PublicPrivatePartnerships #InvestInOurFuture #BurnhamCenter #ForeverBalboaPark

🌟 Last week, we proudly announced our new BCCA initiative: Bright Spots! 🌟 The Bright Spots series will shine a light on inspiring collaborations and innovations that unite our community to make a real difference. For our first feature, we are excited to highlight the Warrior Village Project—a remarkable partnership among building industry associations, nonprofits, schools, businesses, and community members. Together, they are creating affordable, permanent housing for unhoused veterans and training the next generation of home builders. Each partner brings unique expertise and resources, showing the powerful impact we can make when we join forces for a shared mission. See their work in action here: https://lnkd.in/dhQQns8s Learn more about their incredible work here: warriorvillageproject.com. A big thank you to everyone involved in making opportunities like this possible for those who call our region home! #BrightSpots #CommunityCollaboration #AffordableHousing #BCCA Mark Pilcher

The Burnham Center for Community Advancement is proud to welcome two exceptional leaders to our Board of Directors: Adriana "Adri" Brunner Adri brings over 26 years of banking, business development, and marketing expertise. Now a VP-Senior Business Consultant at JP Morgan Chase, she empowers entrepreneurs in underserved communities. Her passion for community development, economic empowerment, and advocacy for diversity and inclusion aligns perfectly with BCCA’s mission and values. Adri's extensive volunteer work and commitment to sustainable growth make her an invaluable addition to our team. Veronica Dela Rosa, MBA (she/her/ella) As Executive Vice President of Operations for San Ysidro Health, Veronica leads with vision and strategy across multiple disciplines, from clinic operations to DEI initiatives. Her transformative approach to healthcare delivery emphasizes prevention and innovation, making her a powerful advocate for creating healthier, more equitable communities. We are inspired by Adri and Veronica's leadership and dedication to advancing our region. We know their expertise and lived experiences will greatly contribute to BCCA’s ambitious goals for our community. Join us in giving them a warm welcome as we continue to bring ideas into action!

Bring Joy This Holiday Season! 🎁 The holidays are a magical time, but not every child in San Diego County gets to experience that joy. You can make a difference by donating toys to one of the many incredible toy drives happening across San Diego! How You Can Help: ✨ Drop off new, unwrapped toys at participating locations, including airports, community centers, and more. ✨ Support drives like Toys for Tots, Home Start, La Maestra Community Health Centers, and others working hard to brighten the holidays for families in need. Learn more about donation sites and events here: https://lnkd.in/gwzmZQY6 For ways to give to the Jewish Family Service click here: https://lnkd.in/gjv-r8FW We can make this holiday season unforgettable for every child. ❤️

Join us at the Jewish Community Center’s captivating discussion with Tal Schneider, esteemed correspondent for The Times of Israel! This event is a must-attend for anyone seeking deeper insights into Israeli society and its role on the global stage. Moderated by BCCA's President & CEO, Tad Seth Parzen. 📅 When: Monday, December 9, 2024, at 7:00 PM 📍 Where: David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre, Lawrence Family JCC 🎟️ Tickets: $36 | JCC Members: $30 (Day Of: $41 | JCC Members: $35) 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ghAd8dSt

We are happy to share that Michael Stepner1, a valued member of our Balboa Park Working Group, has received the Robert Mosher Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor from the American Institute of Architects, San Diego Chapter. With a career spanning over five decades, Michael has left an indelible mark on San Diego’s built environment. From helping to shape Downtown San Diego and Liberty Station to serving as the City of San Diego’s City Architect, he has been a trailblazer in architecture, urban planning, and education. Michael’s impact extends beyond projects—he has inspired countless young minds as an educator at UCSD, USD, SDSU, and the New School of Architecture and Design. His commitment to community shines through in his tireless volunteer work with organizations like the Urban Land Institute, AIA, and his long-standing dedication to Balboa Park, where he leads initiatives that enhance the park's future. Congratulations, Michael, on this well-deserved recognition. Your vision and passion continue to inspire us all!

We had an amazing time celebrating a year of community, collaboration, and growth with our incredible team and partners. Thank you to everyone who joined us—it’s moments like these that remind us of the power of connection and shared purpose. 2025 here we come! #CommunityConnections #EndOfYearCelebration #BCCA2024

Congratulations to Malin Burnham & Tad Seth Parzen on being named the San Diego Business Journal 500 Most Influential People in San Diego! 🎉 Their commitment to philanthropy and civic innovation is truly inspiring. #SD500 #MostInfluential #BCCA #SDBJ