Rob and Geoff Edwards in conversation at the BRIDGE26 firepit session

VEA Newport Beach
A Marriott Resort & Spa
Newport Beach, CA

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Registration is by invitation. Please request an invite below.
Registration opens September 23.

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This is an inclusive and welcoming event. If you have questions about accessibility or would like to request an accommodation, please include your requirements with your registration or contact Alisha Deane at [email protected]. Requests should be made by March 15 to allow for coordination of services. You can read more about our Event Accessibility & Accommodation Policy here.

BRIDGE27 | The Advantage

As markets become more complex, consumers become more discerning, and AI reshapes how business operates, the companies that outperform will not simply respond to change. They will understand their consumers more deeply, innovate with greater relevance, and communicate with cultural fluency.

What differentiates organizations isn’t just that they recognize this opportunity. It’s whether they build the capabilities required to compete for it.

Because that’s how opportunity becomes competitive advantage.

The Advantage begins at BRIDGE27.

The Advantage isn’t created by a single function. It is built when marketing, strategy, technology, culture, and business operate with a shared understanding of the markets they serve.

It’s how you challenge assumptions. Gain clarity. Compete differently.

BRIDGE27 brings together cross-functional leaders committed to solving these complex business challenges. We will explore the ideas, business practices, and emerging disciplines redefining competitive advantage. From inclusive innovation and AI to identifying growth opportunities, strengthening consumer relevance, and improving organizational performance.

You will leave with practical strategies to build more relevant products and experiences while strengthening your brand reputation.

You will learn what it takes to intentionally embed inclusion into commercial decisions.

You will know how to build the capabilities to drive sustainable growth and performance.

You will have The Advantage.

Who should at‌tend BRIDGE27

BRIDGE27 convenes the leaders driving inclusion as performance across marketing, business, and culture. It's where decision-makers, innovators, and rising talent come together to connect strategy with action — and turn insight into measurable impact.

You'll be in good company.

Why BRIDGE27 is Must-Attend

Top 5 Actionable Strategies

These global brands, agencies, media companies, and platforms share one belief: inclusion isn't separate from business — it is the business.

Partnering with Purpose

Designed to Deliver Impact That Lasts

Every BRIDGE partnership is built around three principles: authenticity, alignment, and action. We create collaborations that move business and culture forward together.

Your Partnership Delivers:

  • Visibility across pre-, during-, and post-event marketing, social, and press channels.
  • Thought Leadership through main-stage participation, content integration, and co-branded publications.
  • Authentic Cultural Activation that celebrates diversity and connects your brand to lived experiences.
  • Purpose-Driven Alignment — every giveaway, product, and experience supports underrepresented communities or causes.
  • Community Impact that extends beyond the event through measurable initiatives and collaborations.

For more information on BRIDGE27 Partnership Opportunities:

Click here

"We design every partnership to be more than exposure — it's a shared opportunity to lead the change we all want to see."

— BRIDGE Partnerships Team

BRIDGE27 Board Steering Committee

Co-Chair
Geoff Edwards
Geoff Edwards
Managing Director, Creative
Co-Chair
Randi Stipes
Randi Stipes
Former Chief Marketing Officer
Brianne Boles-Marshall
Brianne Boles-Marshall
Responsible Media Lead
Tony Coles
Tony Coles
President, Black Information Network
Victoria Russell
Victoria Russell
Managing Director, Inclusion & Sustainability Strategy Leader
Emile Khader
Emile Khader
Khader. LLC
Brandon Thompson
Brandon Thompson
VP, Growth Engagement & Inclusion
Geraldine White
Geraldine White
Founder and CEO

2026 Speakers

The Voices who Lead the Conversation

Our BRIDGE27 lineup is still being confirmed. In the meantime, here's a look back at our 2026 speakers — the caliber of executive, changemaker, and innovator who takes the stage at BRIDGE.

Apolla Echino
Apolla Echino
Award-winning Filmmaker, Member, Métis Nation of Alberta
Jenny Yang
Jenny Yang
Former Chair, EEOC, Partner
Inocente
Inocente
Artist
Francile Albright Mullen
Francile Albright Mullen
Co-CEO, Executive Director
Tony Coles
Tony Coles
President, Black Information Network
Carlos Cubia
Carlos Cubia
EVP, Chief Community Health Impact & Belonging Officer
Sheryl Daija
Sheryl Daija
CEO & Founder
Alisa Dalton
Alisa Dalton
Vice President, Community Engagement & Belonging
Brook Dennard Rosser
Brook Dennard Rosser
Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives
Donna Dozier Gordon
Donna Dozier Gordon
Head of Inclusion & Diversity, Americas
Geoff Edwards
Geoff Edwards
Managing Director, Creative
Rob Edwards
Rob Edwards
Writer, Producer, and Filmmaker
Chima Egbuzie
Chima Egbuzie
Marketing Manager
Chirlie Felix
Chirlie Felix
Managing Director
Lori Goode
Lori Goode
Chief Marketing Officer
Emily Goodson
Emily Goodson
Author + Speaker
Morgan Gregory
Morgan Gregory
CEO and Co-founder
Marisa Grimes
Marisa Grimes
Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Tahiirah Habibi
Tahiirah Habibi
Founder and CEO
Annie Hanlon
Annie Hanlon
Co-founder and Partner
Stacy Hawkins
Stacy Hawkins
Diversity & Employment Practices Consultant and Professor of Law
Alanna Hernandez
Alanna Hernandez
Executive Vice President, Business Affairs & Operations, Team Sports
Chloé Howard
Chloé Howard
VP, Strategy Director
Uchechi Iroha
Uchechi Iroha
Associate Creative Director
Emile Khader
Emile Khader
Khader. LLC
Joe Ligé
Joe Ligé
Founder and CEO
Aubrey Maslen
Aubrey Maslen
VP, Head of DE&I Communications & Strategic Partnerships, North America
George-Axelle Broussillon Matschinga
George-Axelle Broussillon Matschinga
Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Ronald Méndez
Ronald Méndez
EVP, Cultural Investment & Strategy Lead
Jonathan Njus
Jonathan Njus
Senior Program Officer
James Nmah
James Nmah
Founder
Lukeisha Paul
Lukeisha Paul
Head of Inclusion & Impact
Valerie Irick Rainford
Valerie Irick Rainford
CEO
Jessica Ricaurte
Jessica Ricaurte
Chief Revenue Officer
Omar Rodríguez-Vilá
Omar Rodríguez-Vilá
Professor in the Practice of Marketing, Director of Education / Business & Society Institute
Claudene Roye
Claudene Roye
Marketing Program Lead
Christien Russell
Christien Russell
Director, Strategy & Innovation - DEI
Victoria Russell
Victoria Russell
Managing Director, Inclusion & Sustainability Strategy Leader
Sandra Sims-Williams
Sandra Sims-Williams
Chief Business Inclusion, Impact and Belonging Officer
Judy Smith
Judy Smith
Founder & CEO
Randi Stipes
Randi Stipes
Former Chief Marketing Officer
Brandon Thompson
Brandon Thompson
VP, Growth Engagement & Inclusion
D’Eric Watson
D’Eric Watson
Senior Communications Specialist
Geraldine White
Geraldine White
Founder and CEO
Alicin Williamson
Alicin Williamson
Chief Diversity & Culture Officer
Danyelle Wright
Danyelle Wright
VP, Government Affairs & Social Impact, Employment & Labor Counsel

BRIDGE26 At‌tendees

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