Last week, CAMEO Network staff, members, sponsors, and partners converged in Sacramento for the two-day 2025 Summit: “Leading in Uncertain Times: Meeting the Mission, Telling the Story, Promoting Policy.”
Thanks to those of you who shared with us that the event was impactful and filled with learning, inspiration and community. In fact, unity, community, friends, and connection were some of the major themes of the event. We need to work together, collaborate, and even lean on each other in these uncertain times in order to lean into our missions.
Day 1: May 28 – Training Summit
We kicked things off at the California Endowment—a spacious, brick-walled venue bathed in energizing sunlight. Attendees enjoyed a fresh breakfast from Gaspachos and a warm welcome from Horacio Mendez, Chair of CAMEO Network’s Board of Directors.
The morning featured two thought-provoking panels led by leaders from across the economic development field, offering timely strategies for navigating the uncertainty facing our sector.
Fundraising Strategies and Considerations During Uncertain Times
Luz Urrutia (CEO, Accion Opportunity Fund), Rebeca Rangel (Senior Director, Asset Funders Network), and Rudy Espinoza (CEO, Inclusive Action for the City) talked about the challenges of leading and securing funding for our organizations at a time when political and economic uncertainty is being wielded to destabilize our sector. Key takeaways included:
- Become an adaptive leader
- Reach out to people who might disagree with you
- Be honest with your funders about what you’re experiencing
- Redefine sustainability to be about building relationships, community and long-term solidarity
Solving for the CFO Dilemma: Five Financial Questions Every Organization Should Know How to Answer
Moderated by Working Solutions CFO Gasper Magallanes, this session featured Baldev Birk (CFO, CAMEO Network), Claudia Delgado (Finances and Operations Director, Prospera), and Lisa Kirvin (Managing Director of HR, Operations and Finance, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center), who shared practical financial strategies and tangible advice to answer five key questions:
- What is our earned revenue vs contributed revenue outlook?
- What does cash flow for our organization look like over the next 12 to 24 months?
- What’s the biggest driver of our spending as an organization?
- If we had access to new one-time funding, do we know what we would do?
- How do we know when we are on track or not on track financially?
If you’d like to learn more, contact our CFO, Baldev Birk.
During lunch, keynote speaker Kurt Chilcott, former Chair of the California Endowment and longtime small business development leader, reminded us that history is a powerful teacher. His message—“Never let a good crisis go to waste”—underscored the importance of using this moment to transform our system for the better. He talked about the relevance of the ecosystem, how collaborations and partnerships are at the heart of what we do, and how we need catalytic investments to inspire change and lean on radical self-sufficiency. Kurt left us with some inspiration and a challenge about the work we do:
- Be grateful
- Be humble
- Be amazed
- Make friends
- Be committed to systems change
While Kurt inspired, our next guest painted a strong picture of why our work is important and offered some advice on how to start transforming the system. Stephen Menendian (Assistant Director and Director of Research, Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley) provided a deep dive into structural racism, previewing insights from his forthcoming book Structural Racism: The Dynamics of Opportunity and Race in America.
Stephen spoke about his work creating a racial inequality dashboard to analyze racial disparities holistically instead of in silos; and measuring progress in absolute terms as well as relative terms. He identified the problem with disparities as the fact that they are neither explanatory nor causal; they don’t tell us how to address the disparity.
We can address disparities at three levels:
- the rules adopted at the institutional level that seem neutral on the surface, but in effect produce disparities;
- The rules adopted at the structural level – or many organizations; and
- The rules adopted at the system level – when elements of different structures interact.
These produce cumulative effects or inertia (when the conditions are random, not intentional). The real harm comes when we are aware of the reality and let it persist.
To move forward, Stephen offered us some advice:
- Be clear on principles and goals
- Implement outcome-oriented policy (not intent)
- Target systems and structures
Hannah Naomi Jones (Special Advisor of Advocacy and Engagement, Live Free) delivered a moving session on narrative power. At a time when language is being weaponized and justice work is being redefined as criminal, it’s imperative for our organizations to take control of our stories. Hannah provided a helpful framework to leverage our own narrative power:
- Map the hidden frames and metaphors shaping your organization’s messaging
- Lead with values
- Reframe harmful narratives
- Align messaging across staff, programs, and partnerships
- Tell one story, strategically
We ended the day by recharging our minds and bodies with a relaxing sound bath followed by a lively happy hour at Cafeteria 15L to further those connections.
Day 2: May 29 – Advocacy Day
Day 2 brought us to the State Treasurer’s Office, where Deputy Treasurer Khaim Morton shared how the state is supporting entrepreneurs through today’s economic challenges via loan guarantees and a loan participation program. He also emphasized the importance of CDFIs to small businesses and reiterated Treasurer Ma’s support. He offered to uplift members’ clients with a visit by the Treasurer, so we’ll be collecting your clients’ information over the summer and passing it over to the Treasurer’s office.
Later, Michael Burdick from the Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions joined CAMEO Network’s VP of Engagement and External Relations, Heidi Pickman, for a fireside chat on the state legislative process and current small business policy priorities. Michael explained what’s on the horizon and what we can expect from a tight budget year in terms of moving our policies forward.
Then it was time to hit the Capitol. After a brief advocacy training, attendees walked over to the Capitol Annex Swing Space to meet with their state representatives. In total, we held 43 legislative meetings, giving our members a platform to advocate for their communities and speak directly to policymakers about the issues small businesses are facing.
This year, we advocated for:
- Investment in the ecosystem of support for small businesses through the California Investment and Innovation Program, the Small Business Technical Assistance Program, and the Capital Infusion Program
- Financial protection of small business owners via stronger small business financing disclosure rules, price gouging protections, and robust enforcement by the DFPI.
- Supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs through friendlier regulations and stronger privacy protections.
- Community development via reinvestment from financial institutions and regional development programs.
We wrapped up the Summit with a final happy hour at House Kitchen & Bar, reflecting on a powerful two days filled with learning, connection, and advocacy.
Thank You
To the more than 130 attendees who joined us—leaders, advocates, and champions from across California and beyond—thank you for showing up with energy, purpose, and heart.
Thank you as well to our generous sponsors: Square, US Bank, Tri Counties Bank, and California Southern. And last but not least, endless thanks to the CAMEO Network staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure every detail was on point. None of this would have been possible without our amazing team.
Stay tuned for the full batch of pictures!