The Chamber Foundation, in partnership with Santa Monica College, has an impactful signature program called NextGen Mentors that meets for six weeks every fall and every spring school semester. NextGen focuses on diverse chamber members mentoring black and brown students at Santa Monica College. Topics include navigating pathways to a successful career start, dealing with set-backs and microaggressions at work, and overcoming a limiting mindset, just to name a few.
2025-2026
FOUNDATION'S BOARD MEMBERS
Chris Baccus
Chair
SMC
Rose Pelican
Treasurer
Providence Saint Johns
Art Lesmez
Board of Director
The Law Offices of Arthur G Lesmez, PC
Ilia Lopez
Board of Director
UNITE-LA
Delena Gbenekama
Board of Director
City of Santa Monica
Andre Jackson
Board of Director
Jonathan Club
Kim Koury
Board of Director
Spin Group
Shireen Ossanlo
Board of Director
Claire Matrix
The Chamber Foundation oversees a signature program, NextGen Mentorship, partnering with the Santa Monica College. The NextGen program runs for six weeks fall and spring term and is focused on the Black and Latinx students at Santa Monica College. The mentors are professionals and chamber members who are also Black and Latinx from all industries and who provide the mentees with valuable information on how to navigate career pathways to success.