Connect with Purpose: Networking in the New Year

Networking doesn’t have to mean awkward small talk and collecting business cards you'll never use. Step into 2026 with new goals for networking & community building! Join us and reimagine networking to center on community building and collaboration. Learn how to build authentic connections both in-person and on-line and create a sustainable networking strategy that feels natural—not forced. Whether you're an introvert, career changer, just starting out, or a seasoned professional, you'll leave with practical tools and an action plan to expand your network with confidence and purpose.

Who Should Attend: Anyone looking to strengthen their professional relationships, grow their career opportunities, or simply feel more comfortable and effective at networking.

About Our Speaker

Deborah Lindsay, a Canadian-born Santa Cruz local, is the Executive Director of Your Future is Our Business, a non-profit dedicated to empowering students to make informed decisions about their future pathways by bridging the gap between education and career success via comprehensive Work-Based Learning experiences.

Deborah is an experienced educator and leader who also serves as an Adjunct Professor at UC Santa Cruz's Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurial Development. With an MBA in Sustainable Management and extensive experience in both nonprofit leadership and business operations, she leverages her passion for education to build economic vitality in our community.