Luskin Summit
Source: https://luskin.ucla.edu/programs/luskin-summit-2
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:33
Luskin Summit
Join Us on April 15 to Empower Communities to Shape Their Futures
The 2026 Luskin Summit, “Building Power Through Local Solutions,” will examine how California communities can build power to address vulnerability through locally driven policy action that advances equity, and well-being. The Summit will emphasize that lasting change comes not from one-size-fits-all approaches, but from empowering local governments, institutions, and communities to shape solutions that reflect their needs and strengths.
Grounded in UCLA Luskin’s commitment to tackling society’s most urgent challenges, the Summit will explore how vulnerability is shaped by policy choices — and how power can be built through collaboration, accountability, and strategic action at the local and regional levels. Conversations will focus on how communities can leverage policy tools, data, and partnerships to translate broad goals into concrete, on-the-ground outcomes.
UCLA Luskin faculty and researchers will join policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and community partners to analyze the systems that influence everyday life and to identify opportunities for reform. This year’s discussions will examine the local implementation of SB 79, California’s new housing development law; community-centered responses to environmental challenges such as plastics and mega-events; strategies to strengthen transit safety; and approaches to addressing market concentration and intergenerational inequities —highlighting how building power locally can produce durable, equitable solutions across California.
The Summit’s keynote speaker is Laphonza Butler, former U.S. senator from California, partner at Actum LLC, and a nationally recognized leader in public policy and advocacy.
Date:
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Time:
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location:
UCLA Luskin Conference Center
Registration:
$60 general admission | $20 for UCLA students
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER
SESSIONS
Opening Plenary
Track 1:
California’s Housing Strategy
Track 2:
Environmental Health and Justice
Track 3:
Transportation Security
Track 4:
Roots of Socio-Economic Vulnerability and Prosperity
Closing Plenary
SCHEDULE
Check-In and Breakfast:
8 a.m.
Opening Remarks:
8:45 a.m.
Quality of Life Index:
8:55 a.m.
Breakout Discussions, Round 1:
9:30 a.m.
Breakout Discussions, Round 2:
10:45 a.m.
Closing Keynote:
12 noon
Buffet Networking Lunch:
12:45 p.m.
FEATURED PRESENTERS
Government officials and civic leaders
Decision-makers in politics and business
UCLA scholars
Difference-makers in the nonprofit and philanthropic spheres
HOW TO HELP
Please consider making an optional gift to the
Luskin Student Support Fund
to support vital fellowships and scholarships for our students.
SPONSORS TO DATE
SUMMIT ORGANIZING COMMITTEE, UCLA LUSKIN BOARD OF ADVISORS
Alissa L. Ko, chair of the committee
Stephen Cheung
Cecilia Estolano
Wendy Greuel
Travis T. Kiyota
Nicole Mutchnik
Jeffrey A. Seymour
Laura F. Shell
Jacqueline Waggoner
Ronald W. Wong
Please note that attendance by a public official will constitute acceptance of a reportable gift.
Photo Release:
By attending this event, you will be entering an area where
photo
graphy, audio and video recording may occur. With your presence, you authorize UCLA Luskin and its licensees to
photo
graph you, make sound and/or video recordings of you, and use the recordings for marketing, publicity and promotion of this event and UCLA Luskin generally. Please click on the link for the full
UCLA Luskin Notice of Filming Release
.
Contact
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
3250 Public Affairs Building - Box 951656
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1656
Campus Resources
Maps, Directions, Parking
Directory
Contact
Academic Calendar
Careers
Diversity
University of California
Terms of Use
Follow
The statements on this page represent the views of people affiliated with the Luskin School of Public Affairs and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of California, or UCLA or its Chancellor.
Posts and comments by individuals at UCLA on social media channels may not reflect the opinions or
policies of UCLA
, the University of California or the Luskin School, nor its benefactors and academic partners.
Scroll to top
Join Us on April 15 to Empower Communities to Shape Their Futures
The 2026 Luskin Summit, “Building Power Through Local Solutions,” will examine how California communities can build power to address vulnerability through locally driven policy action that advances equity, and well-being. The Summit will emphasize that lasting change comes not from one-size-fits-all approaches, but from empowering local governments, institutions, and communities to shape solutions that reflect their needs and strengths.
Grounded in UCLA Luskin’s commitment to tackling society’s most urgent challenges, the Summit will explore how vulnerability is shaped by policy choices — and how power can be built through collaboration, accountability, and strategic action at the local and regional levels. Conversations will focus on how communities can leverage policy tools, data, and partnerships to translate broad goals into concrete, on-the-ground outcomes.
UCLA Luskin faculty and researchers will join policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and community partners to analyze the systems that influence everyday life and to identify opportunities for reform. This year’s discussions will examine the local implementation of SB 79, California’s new housing development law; community-centered responses to environmental challenges such as plastics and mega-events; strategies to strengthen transit safety; and approaches to addressing market concentration and intergenerational inequities —highlighting how building power locally can produce durable, equitable solutions across California.
The Summit’s keynote speaker is Laphonza Butler, former U.S. senator from California, partner at Actum LLC, and a nationally recognized leader in public policy and advocacy.
Date:
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Time:
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location:
UCLA Luskin Conference Center
Registration:
$60 general admission | $20 for UCLA students
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER
SESSIONS
Opening Plenary
Track 1:
California’s Housing Strategy
Track 2:
Environmental Health and Justice
Track 3:
Transportation Security
Track 4:
Roots of Socio-Economic Vulnerability and Prosperity
Closing Plenary
SCHEDULE
Check-In and Breakfast:
8 a.m.
Opening Remarks:
8:45 a.m.
Quality of Life Index:
8:55 a.m.
Breakout Discussions, Round 1:
9:30 a.m.
Breakout Discussions, Round 2:
10:45 a.m.
Closing Keynote:
12 noon
Buffet Networking Lunch:
12:45 p.m.
FEATURED PRESENTERS
Government officials and civic leaders
Decision-makers in politics and business
UCLA scholars
Difference-makers in the nonprofit and philanthropic spheres
HOW TO HELP
Please consider making an optional gift to the
Luskin Student Support Fund
to support vital fellowships and scholarships for our students.
SPONSORS TO DATE
SUMMIT ORGANIZING COMMITTEE, UCLA LUSKIN BOARD OF ADVISORS
Alissa L. Ko, chair of the committee
Stephen Cheung
Cecilia Estolano
Wendy Greuel
Travis T. Kiyota
Nicole Mutchnik
Jeffrey A. Seymour
Laura F. Shell
Jacqueline Waggoner
Ronald W. Wong
Please note that attendance by a public official will constitute acceptance of a reportable gift.
Photo Release:
By attending this event, you will be entering an area where
photo
graphy, audio and video recording may occur. With your presence, you authorize UCLA Luskin and its licensees to
photo
graph you, make sound and/or video recordings of you, and use the recordings for marketing, publicity and promotion of this event and UCLA Luskin generally. Please click on the link for the full
UCLA Luskin Notice of Filming Release
.
Contact
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
3250 Public Affairs Building - Box 951656
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1656
Campus Resources
Maps, Directions, Parking
Directory
Contact
Academic Calendar
Careers
Diversity
University of California
Terms of Use
Follow
The statements on this page represent the views of people affiliated with the Luskin School of Public Affairs and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of California, or UCLA or its Chancellor.
Posts and comments by individuals at UCLA on social media channels may not reflect the opinions or
policies of UCLA
, the University of California or the Luskin School, nor its benefactors and academic partners.
Scroll to top