A Coalition Built on Partnership.
An Economy Built for Everyone.
Los Angeles County’s economic strength comes from its extraordinary combination of industries, talent, entrepreneurship, innovation, and diverse communities.
But no single business, institution, or city can build the region’s economic future alone.
As LAEDC President and CEO Stephen Cheung reminded attendees:
"None of us can do it alone."
Stephen Cheung | President & CEO, LAEDC
Through economic research, business assistance, investment attraction, workforce development, and strategic engagement, LAEDC connects the people and organizations needed to move regional priorities forward.
Its role extends beyond bringing stakeholders into the same room. LAEDC connects economic intelligence with industry expertise, workforce needs, investment opportunities, and community perspectives to help partners turn shared priorities into coordinated action.
That is the power of a Coalition of One.
But collaboration is only the beginning. An Economy for All challenges the region to ensure that economic growth creates meaningful opportunities for businesses, workers, families, and communities.
During the evening’s voices presentation, LAEDC Executive Vice President Kendal Turner acknowledged the organization’s strength in convening regional leaders while challenging it to do even more to advance the second half of its vision.
Her message was clear: bringing people together matters, but the real measure of success is whether those relationships help more people prosper.
Beyond a Seat at the Table:
Giving Every Voice Influence
Throughout the evening, the question “Whose Voice Do You Bring to the Table?” came to life through perspectives representing frontline workers, people with disabilities, women entrepreneurs, immigrants, caregivers, business leaders, and everyday changemakers.
These voices reflected the people who power Los Angeles County’s economy—and whose knowledge and experiences must help shape its future.
Research Informed by Experience
LAEDC's Affinity Economic Report series
connects economic research with lived
experience, helping regional priorities
reflect the communities they are
intended to serve.
Representation That Drives Action
The Women, Latino, Black, AANHPI, and LGBTQ+
Leaders Collectives bring community
perspectives into conversations about
economic opportunity, equity, and growth.
Accepting the evening’s Strategic Engagement Award on behalf of the collectives, former LAEDC Board Chair Maura O’Connor emphasized that meaningful participation requires more than an invitation. Community perspectives must help shape decisions and lead to action.
Having a seat at the table matters. Having a voice that helps shape decisions matters even more.
The evening reinforced an essential principle: representation becomes meaningful when it influences strategy, strengthens partnerships, and creates pathways to economic opportunity.
