AI Jam

Co-hosted by the Community Foundation and Nonprofit Connection Santa Cruz County.

Join us for a practical, hands‑on workshop for nonprofit communications and marketing professionals exploring how AI can support strategy, storytelling, and content creation.

Participants will gain a clear understanding of how AI works, how to use it responsibly, and how to apply proven prompting techniques to real‑world communications and marketing challenges. The session emphasizes confidence, ethics, and practical application and will help participants collaborate with AI as a creative and strategic partner.

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• Gain a shared, plain‑language understanding of what AI is (and isn’t) and how it’s shaping the modern workplace
• Learn how to use AI tools responsibly, with a strong focus on data privacy and ethical considerations
• Practice effective prompting frameworks that improve clarity, consistency, and quality of AI outputs
• Apply AI to real communications and marketing scenarios, from campaign planning to content creation
• Leave with usable examples and draft assets they can adapt and build on after the workshop

Doors open at 8:30 AM for breakfast snacks and networking. The workshop runs from 9 am - 12 pm. There will be a networking lunch from 12:00 - 1:00 pm. Food will be provided!

Meet the presenters:

Alex Rodriguez is the Director of Software Development and Design at BizzNEST. He brings extensive experience in both delivering AI-focused workshops and integrating AI into his everyday work, both personally and professionally.

Ian Ellis is a BizzNEST Senior Software Development Associate with experience designing and delivering workshops for a wide range of audiences. As an everyday AI user, he focuses on practical application, creating impactful and seamless workshop experiences for all skill levels.

Joel Mariscal is a BizzNEST Senior Software Development Associate who leverages AI in his engineering work to create meaningful, real-world impact. Most notably, he developed an AI-powered exhibit at the Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery, where children can bring their drawings to life through interactive animation.

Brenda Zavala is a BizzNEST Design Associate who brings experience crafting visually engaging workshop presentations. Her work ensures information is clear, accessible, and easy to follow for all audiences. With a strong marketing perspective, she leverages AI in her everyday work to enhance visual storytelling and communication.

About BizzNEST

BizzNEST is a creative agency within Digital NEST, powered by a team of emerging tech professionals across film, marketing, design, IT, and software engineering. Its mission is to equip associates with hands-on experience in their chosen fields, paired with advanced career coaching, to help build a strong and thriving workforce in underserved communities.

In Summer 2025, BizzNEST expanded its offerings to include AI education as a service, bringing its signature focus on creativity, interactivity, and engagement into the learning experience. Today, AI training is a core part of BizzNEST’s services, helping teams across industries leverage AI as a force multiplier in their work while reinforcing the importance of human insight and critical thinking.

Space is limited to 40 participants. To help make room for as many organizations as possible, we kindly ask that only one person per organization register.