East Bay Innovation Talks

Everyone comes up with innovative ideas that makes life easier and solves everything from mundane to complex problems, but the difference in moving an idea out of your head and into reality comes down to one thing: execution - that commitment to doing everything you need to do to make it real.

Chanterria McGilbra '98 with Prancing Ponies


Chanterria McGilbra (BA '98, Sociology) built a very successful career in biotech as a consultant until a car named Coco inspired her to launch the first all-female Ferrari rally as well as a foundation that helps young women.

Her foundation, Prancing Ponies, uses innovative methods of delivery to effectively teach leadership skills and competencies that increase self-esteem, self-confidence, and critical thinking in girls.

McGilbra has been featured in Wall Street Journal as well as several other publications.

Jericho Apo with the Story of Stuff


Jericho Apo (BA '17, Sociology), Director of Digital Strategy at Story of Stuff, will talk about the work they are doing to document and change the lifecycle of material goods. The Story of Stuff Project is an environmental nonprofit helping build a generation of environmental activists through storytelling, community engagement, and campaigning. Apo leads the storytelling team in creating content to tell the most important environmental stories impacting people and the planet.

Amer Orabi with PATHWATER


Amer Orabi (BS '16, Accounting & Finance), COO & Co-Founder of PATHWATER, a bottled water company that provides the first 100% reusable, recyclable bottled water in a sturdy aluminum bottle. PATHWATER is forging a path to end single-use plastics. Orabi read a shocking stat: by the year 2050 there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish. He knew the problem required both a change in how bottles are manufactured and a change in how people consume. This lead to idea of PATHWATER.

Lakisha Young with The Oakland REACH


Recognizing the need for social change within your community is easy. But founding a nonprofit organization in order to achieve that change is on a totally different level. CSUEB alumna Lakisha Young (B.A. '99, English), co-founder & CEO of The Oakland REACH, joins us to share how she and a group of dedicated parents came together to create a hard-charging organization that is making real change in the lives of some of the most underserved communities in Oakland through the creation of quality educational opportunities and college pathways for youth.

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