Great Minds
LOS ANGELES
GREAT MINDS brings together California’s top builders, architects, and policy leaders to share groundbreaking ideas that shape our communities’ future. Join the visionaries who are transforming our cities.
Upcoming Events
Discover our next thought-provoking gatherings where industry leaders share innovative solutions and forge meaningful connections. Join us at these exclusive events.
Seismic Risk and Adaptive Reuse Investment: Can They Co‑Exist?
April 9, 2026 - 6:00 PM
Join us for an evening reception: drinks, appetizers, and a focused panel discussion exploring how seismic safety and economic growth can advance together in Los Angeles. As the city continues to evolve, adaptive reuse presents a critical opportunity to unlock investment and strengthen long-term seismic resilience. This conversation brings together leaders in engineering, policy, and development to examine practical, market-driven strategies that make seismic upgrades and adaptive reuse financially viable and scalable.
Nella McOsker
President & CEO | Central City Association (CCA)
Dr. Sara McBride
Executive Director | California Seismic Safety Commission
Dr. Kit Miyamoto
CEO, Miyamoto International | Commissioner, California Seismic Safety Commission
Karin Liljegren, FAIA
Founder & Principal | Omgivning
Nicolás Alberto Pascal
Founder | UC Disaster Resilience Network (UCDRN)
Alex Kolodziejczyk
Development Vice President | CIM Group
LA’s Premier Innovation Forum in the Heart of Downtown
GREAT MINDS is the premier industry event fostering the “sharing of ideas” among California’s elite Policy-Makers, Visionaries, Developers, Architects, Engineers, and Builders. Our series features industry leaders who drive discussions on innovative approaches and exemplary projects shaping our communities. Through these gatherings, we connect the distinguished professionals who are building the future of our cities.
Connecting the visionaries who build Los Angeles.
GREAT MINDS has welcomed the most respected names in development, design, and construction to our stage. Sign up below to ensure you get updated on new events.
Elevated Conversations 51 Stories Above Los Angeles
An exclusive list of invitees ranging between 50 to 150 guests gather on the 51st floor of the AON Center in DTLA to participate in conversation and networking drinks with breathtaking views of downtown LA.
Past Speakers
From visionary entrepreneurs to industry pioneers, our distinguished speakers represent the bold minds shaping Los Angeles’ future. Below are just a few of the remarkable leaders who have shared their insights and expertise at our events.
Jessica Lall
Jessica Lall is a prominent business and community leader in Los Angeles, known for her significant contributions to the development and advocacy of Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA). She currently serves as the Managing Director of CBRE’s Downtown Los Angeles office, overseeing strategic direction and day-to-day operations across various real estate services, including leasing, sales, valuations, and property management.
Borja Leon
Borja Leon is a seasoned transportation and infrastructure professional who has shaped major projects across California for nearly two decades. Currently serving as Managing Director at D’Leon Consulting Engineers, he previously held influential positions including Deputy Mayor for Transportation under LA Mayor Villaraigosa and advisor to Mayor Garcetti, where he helped develop the historic $120 billion Measure M infrastructure program.
Bran Ferren
Academy Award winner and co-founder of Applied Minds, Ferren revolutionized tech-driven design across Disney Imagineering, aerospace, and consumer products. His GREAT MINDS talk illuminated the convergence of artistic vision and engineering innovation, drawing from his experience leading breakthrough projects and holding 550+ patents.
Al Pisano, UCSD
Albert Pisano is a pioneering engineering leader and Dean of the Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego, where he also serves as Special Adviser to the Chancellor for Campus Strategic Initiatives. A member of the National Academy of Engineering and holder of the Walter J. Zable Chair, he has revolutionized micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) through groundbreaking research in wireless sensors and manufacturing techniques.
Brett Mitchell
Brett Mitchell is the Director of Facilities for the San Juan Unified School District. As the Director, Brett manages a $2.4 billion dollar capital improvement effort with current bond authorization of $1.2 billion. Brett has an undergraduate degree in Construction Management. After several successful years in the construction industry, he left to teach math and physics. Brett then was a High School Principal and now a Director in San Juan.
Matthew Porreca
Matthew has more than 25 years of experience leading integrated design teams that have produced award-winning, high-performance buildings. As design director, Matthew emphasizes a collaborative approach that looks for innovative solutions to complex issues. He leads design charrettes, facilitates discussions with the core team and stakeholders, and helps establish the design direction for the project. His expertise extends to functional design, technical integration, use of innovative materials, long-range scheduling and overall project management.