Civic Encounter

JCI Worldwide
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Welcome to Civic Encounter, the podcast by JCI Worldwide that brings you expert insights from public affairs professionals. Join us as we dive into industry trends, uncover the art of lobbying and pitching, and share strategies for impactful community, media, and government engagement. Discover how to navigate the communications field and drive meaningful social change.

  1. Sep 30

    S3E7: Tim Turpin on Venture Capital Communications, Tech PR, and Storytelling in the Age of AI

    On this episode of Civic Encounter, hosts Georgia Lewis and Natalia Nervi speak with Timothy Turpin, a veteran of the Bay Area PR landscape with a focus on technology and venture capital communications strategy. Tim traces his journey from an internship and first job at the University of the Pacific, through energy efficiency marketing at PG&E, into technology PR just as the internet was going mainstream in the late 1990s. From there, he built a specialty working with venture capital firms and startups through the dot-com era, the 2008 financial crisis, and now the AI boom, developing a deep expertise in helping investors, founders, and deep tech and climate companies tell their stories to the world. Tim goes deep into what it really takes to build lasting relationships with journalists, why great storytelling still matters in an AI-saturated media landscape, and how he helps align the sometimes competing interests of reporters, investors, and founders around a single narrative. He also spotlights some of the boldest innovation happening below the headlines in venture and climate tech today, and offers advice for the next generation of communicators hoping to build a career at the intersection of journalism, technology, and impact. It's a conversation full of behind-the-scenes insight from two decades at the center of Silicon Valley's evolution — one you won't want to miss.

    S3E7: Tim Turpin on Venture Capital Communications, Tech PR, and Storytelling in the Age of AI

  2. Jun 30

    S3 EP6: Nuin-Tara Key on Systems Thinking, Building a Sustainable California, and Redefining What Climate Work Really Means

    On this episode of Civic Encounter, hosts Georgia Lewis and Natalia Nervi speak with Nuin-Tara Key, Chief Operating Officer of California Forward—a non-profit working to build a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economy. Nuin-Tara is a climate policy veteran, regional planning expert, and systems thinker whose career spans two decades across state and local government, international documentary filmmaking, and global financial services. Nuin-Tara connects the many throughlines of her career: from equity and regional planning work in Portland, to co-producing films about community-led climate solutions in the Caribbean and Nicaragua, to building California's Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program from scratch into something recognized around the world. Now driving economic development strategy at California Forward, Nuin-Tara opens up about what it really takes to build something new inside government, and what crossing into the private sector taught her about how capital markets see—and sometimes misread—climate risk. She also reflects on the false divide between mitigation and adaptation, the civic infrastructure that makes regional collaboration actually work, and what keeps her going when the scale of the problem feels overwhelming. Her message for the next generation? Don't be restricted by someone else's definition of climate work: if you're building durable, resilient systems, you're already in it.

    S3 EP6: Nuin-Tara Key on Systems Thinking, Building a Sustainable California, and Redefining What Climate Work Really Means

  3. May 29

    S3 EP5 - Veda Banerjee on Human-Centered Storytelling & Leveraging Diverse Communication Channels to Build Political Will for Climate Action

    On this episode of Civic Encounter, co-hosts Georgia Lewis and Simi Situ speak with Veda Banerjee, Senior Director of Communications at California Environmental Voters — a journalist, nonprofit leader, and climate advocate whose career stretches from breaking news in New Delhi to landmark cultural campaigns at the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and sustainability storytelling at Goodwill of the San Francisco Bay. Veda reflects on the mentors and stepping stones that shaped her path, how nearly two decades in the Bay Area sharpened her environmental lens, and what projects like the Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz installation taught her about the power of art and public space to spark conversations around justice and civic memory. Now leading messaging strategy for one of California's most influential environmental advocacy organizations, Veda gets candid about building political will around climate, aligning diverse stakeholders through organizing and storytelling, and what went into convening Our Climate Future: A Forum with California's Next Governor. She also spotlights how it is critical we all have affordable insurance in California and the ongoing reckoning with the 2025 Palisades and Eaton Fires, closing with a message of hope for the next generation of communicators ready to help shape a just, sustainable future.

    S3 EP5 - Veda Banerjee on Human-Centered Storytelling & Leveraging Diverse Communication Channels to Build Political Will for Climate Action

  4. Apr 22

    S3 EP4 - Mick Dalrymple on Green Pioneering, Biomimicry, and Building a Sustainable USC

    On this episode of Civic Encounter, host Georgia Lewis and JCI President, Seth Jacobson, speak with Mick Dalrymple, the University of Southern California’s first-ever Chief Sustainability Officer — a LEED Fellow, filmmaker, and sustainability pioneer whose career spans nearly four decades across green building, higher education, policy, and entrepreneurship. Mick traces the winding path that brought him here: from co-creating Arizona's first green building education center and growing ASU's sustainability programs to international projects in Albania and Guatemala, all while proving that storytelling is one of the most powerful tools in the climate advocate's toolkit. Now leading sustainability strategy at one of California's most prominent and publicly influential universities, Mick opens up about what it meant to originate the CSO role at USC, the push toward climate neutrality, and how the LA Green New Deal and renewable energy economics are reshaping what's possible — even amid federal rollbacks. He also reflects on earning the LEED Fellow designation, the promise of biophilia and biomimicry, and what gives him hope. His message for the next generation? Master the solutions, get your hands in the ground, and remember — individuals do make a difference.

    S3 EP4 - Mick Dalrymple on Green Pioneering, Biomimicry, and Building a Sustainable USC

  5. Mar 2

    S3 EP3 - LA Cleantech Incubator CEO, Matt Petersen on Public–Private Partnerships & LA’s Path to an Inclusive Green Economy Ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games

    On this episode of Civic Encounter, Simi Situ and Amelie Wu interview Matt Petersen, who is the President and CEO of the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), where he leads efforts to build an inclusive green economy by incubating startups, transforming markets through strategic partnerships, and enhancing communities through workforce development. LACI focuses on accelerating transportation electrification, clean energy, and sustainable cities. Previously, Petersen served as Los Angeles’ first Chief Sustainability Officer under Mayor Eric Garcetti, where he helped author the Sustainable City plan, advanced the city’s leadership in electric vehicles, and co-founded Climate Mayors.

    S3 EP3 - LA Cleantech Incubator CEO, Matt Petersen on Public–Private Partnerships & LA’s Path to an Inclusive Green Economy Ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games

  6. Feb 13

    S3 EP2 - LA County Assessor on the One Year Anniversary of the Wildfires and Looking Back on the First Year of Recovery & Relief

    On this episode of Civic Encounter, Georgia Lewis and Simi Situ sit down with Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang to discuss the work if the Assessor’s office as LA County reaches a year of recovery efforts following the LA fires in the Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and more. Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang was elected in 2014 as the 27th Assessor for the County of Los Angeles and re-elected in 2018 and 2022. His office has played a pivotal role in making sure affected LA County residents get the information and resources they need to navigate rebuilding, taxes, and much more in the wake of the fires. Assessor Prang is Civic Encounter’s first-ever returning guest, having previously joined the podcast in 2025. To learn more about his journey—from pioneering policy on the West Hollywood City Council to modernizing government technology as Los Angeles County Assessor—listen here.

    S3 EP2 - LA County Assessor on the One Year Anniversary of the Wildfires and Looking Back on the First Year of Recovery & Relief

  7. Jan 27

    S3 E1 - CA State Senator Caroline Menjivar on Community-Centered Policy and the Value of Lived Experience

    On this episode of Civic Encounter, Georgia Lewis and Ava Sanchez speak with CA State Senator Caroline Menjivar about her journey from aspiring firefighter to EMT, Marine, and the second youngest state senator in California. Senator Menjivar shares how growing up in the San Fernando Valley and serving on the front lines shaped her leadership and commitment to public safety. The conversation explores her legislative work on health and consumer protections, including SB 20 to prevent silicosis and SB 68 requiring food allergen disclosures, as well as broader issues like child care affordability, public transportation, and the impact of immigration raids on local communities. Senator Menjivar closes with a powerful message for young people: don’t wait to lead—organize, advocate, and create change now.

    S3 E1 - CA State Senator Caroline Menjivar on Community-Centered Policy and the Value of Lived Experience

  8. 12/04/2025

    S2 E16 - Dr. Jocelyn Duarte on Advancing Immigrant Justice & Salvadoran American Leadership in Community Building

    For the FINAL episode of Civic Encounter Season 2, hosts Georgia Lewis and Simi Situ speak with Dr. Jocelyn Duarte, Executive Director of the Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF), about her journey from growing up in Pico-Union to leading one of LA’s most impactful immigrant advocacy organizations. They discuss her roots in education, SALEF’s 30th anniversary, its support for families impacted by recent ICE raids, and the launch of the ALMA app. Dr. Duarte also shares her perspective on community building, mentorship, and what gives her hope for the future of Los Angeles. Tune in to hear her powerful story and vision for strengthening immigrant communities. Stay engaged with SALEF's work here on their Instagram!

    S2 E16 - Dr. Jocelyn Duarte on Advancing Immigrant Justice & Salvadoran American Leadership in Community Building
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About

Welcome to Civic Encounter, the podcast by JCI Worldwide that brings you expert insights from public affairs professionals. Join us as we dive into industry trends, uncover the art of lobbying and pitching, and share strategies for impactful community, media, and government engagement. Discover how to navigate the communications field and drive meaningful social change.

Information

  • Creator
    JCI Worldwide
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © JCI Worldwide
  • Show Website
    Civic Encounter