"THRED Talks"

Weaving the County Together

For SAMCEDA’s Annual Meeting in June 2016, we looked at ways to best capture the uniqueness of San Mateo County and its ecosystem.

This was when the idea of “THRED Talks" was born, a showcase highlighting San Mateo County and its contributions to this dynamic region known as the Bay Area and Silicon Valley.

“THRED Talks" is designed to weave stories through solutions that are innovative, creative, out-of-the-box, and to highlight the depth and breadth communities face in identifying opportunities and meeting the challenges that come with change.

“THRED” stands for many things including: Transportation, Housing, Healthcare, Resiliency, Renewal, Recovery, Regionalism, Economy, Equity, Environment, Determination, Development, and so much more.

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To view all the previous "THRED Talks" presentations,
please click here or watch on our YouTube Channel.
[ Click to view the latest "THRED Talks" - full program / individual presentations ]

[ 2026 ]
SAMCEDA's 73rd Annual Meeting
featuring "THRED Talks" - Weaving Our Region Together
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Event Recap

"In June 2026, the San Mateo County Economic Development Association (SAMCEDA) convened more than 300 leaders from business, government, education, nonprofits, labor, and the community for its '73rd Annual Meeting featuring 'THRED Talks' - Weaving Our Region Together' event at The Farallon Room at Skyline College in San Bruno.

For ten years, “THRED Talks” has been built on a simple belief: the future belongs to communities willing to bring diverse voices together, challenge conventional thinking, and solve problems collaboratively. In a time of rapid technological change, economic uncertainty, and growing complexity, the need for trusted spaces where leaders can learn from one another has never been greater.

This year’s speakers reflected that commitment.

Benjamin Jaros - Research Fellow, Hoover Institution
Natalie Holmes - Senior Researcher, Community Engagement and Analysis,Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Patrick A. McLaughlin - Research Fellow, Hoover Institution
Kara Newport - President & CEO, Filoli
Cecilia Phillips - Coordinating Producer / Reporter, KQED’s Check, Please! Bay Area

"Together, they challenged attendees to think differently about artificial intelligence, economic opportunities, regulatory policy, community identity and connections through nature and food, innovation, and the changing dynamics that will define the Bay Area for decades to come. These were not simply presentations, they were conversations designed to spark new ideas, strengthen partnerships, and inspire action."

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To read more of SAMCEDA's news feature,
please click here.

[ 2026 ]
SAMCEDA's 73rd Annual Meeting
featuring "THRED Talks" - Weaving Our Region Together
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Full Program

(A list of links & resources mentioned can be found here)
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The event was showcased in June 2026.

Individual "THRED Talks" Presentations
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Benjamin Jaros - Hoover Institution

(A list of links & resources mentioned can be found here)
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(Recordings provided by Level 2 Productions and
the "Cecilia Tries It" segment featured in the presentation was provided by KQED)

Event Snapshots

[ "THRED Talks" Speakers (from left to right): Hoover Institution's
Benjamin Jaros, KQED’s Check, Please! Bay Area's Cecilia Phillips,
Hoover Institution's Patrick A. McLaughlin, Filoli's Kara Newport, and
the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco's Natalie Holmes ]

(Photos provided by Scott Buschman Photography & SAMCEDA)

Links & Resources

We encourage you to view and share the links and resources below with your network.
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Hoover Institution
- Resource: Featured Research
- Resource: Fellowship Opportunities
- Resource: Fellows
Guest Essay: It Failed in France. It Would Be a Disaster in California. (The New York Times)
Speaker Bios:
- Benjamin Jaros - Research Fellow, Hoover Institution
- Patrick A. McLaughlin - Research Fellow, Hoover Institution

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Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
- Resource: Research and Insights
- Resource: Upcoming Events
Speaker Bio:
- Natalie Holmes - Senior Researcher, Community Engagement and Analysis, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

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Filoli
- Resource: Filoli Membership
- Resource: Upcoming Events
- Resource: Impact
Speaker Bio:
- Kara Newport - President & CEO, Filol