On October 28-29th, Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) held it’s Annual Toward a Shared Vision Summit, the Inland Empire’s leading regional convening dedicated to expanding educational and economic opportunity. With over 300 attendees from 83 organizations across five states and 35 cities, the sold-out 2025 summit gathered voices from postsecondary, K–12, nonprofit, government, and industry sectors. The two-day event was filled with thoughtful panels, powerful speakers, dynamic breakout sessions, and the celebration of this year’s Toward a Shared Vision Award honorees.
Held annually, the summit offered a meaningful platform for cross-sector partners to align their strategies, share data-informed solutions, and foster deeper relationships that drive collective progress. The event was designed to inspire learning, connection, and action across cradle-to-career pathways.
Each year, Toward a Shared Vision brings together educators, policymakers, business leaders, and community organizations from across the region to address shared challenges and advance strategies for educational and economic success. As part of the summit, GIA recognized individuals and organizations making measurable contributions to equity, student success, and systems change.
During the Summit, the 2025 Toward a Shared Vision Awards celebrated honorees whose work reflected GIA’s core values: Collaboration, Equity, Accountability, Innovation, and Transformation. These values guided GIA’s mission to align systems, close opportunity gaps, and expand access to postsecondary and career success across the region.
2025 Toward a Shared Vision Award Honorees
Excellence in Collaboration
Marissa Lazo-Necco, Project Manager, SAP/PBIS & Parent Engagement, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
Honored for her leadership in statewide community engagement, parent empowerment, and systems-level partnership across 42 school districts.
Excellence in Equity
Mariana Torres, Director of Equity and Access, Apple Valley Unified School District
Recognized for advancing targeted, data-informed strategies that close equity gaps and extend opportunity across districts and communities.
Excellence in Accountability
Inland Empire Regional K–16 Education Collaborative
Celebrated for using shared metrics, transparency, and strategic coordination to improve educational and workforce outcomes across the region.
Excellence in Innovation
Gateway College and Career Academy
A public charter high school on the Riverside City College campus that reimagines student-centered learning through dual enrollment, flexible models, and equity-driven design.
Excellence in Transformation
Zeb Welborn, President & CEO, Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce
Honored for his role in bridging education and workforce development, launching impactful programs that expand access to careers and entrepreneurship
Leadership in Collective Impact
Gordon Bourns, Chairman & CEO, Bourns, Inc.
Recognized for his sustained leadership in education, philanthropy, and civic partnerships that expand STEM pathways and regional collaboration.
A summary report of the event and highlight videos will be released in early December. Click here to view photos from the awards dinner and summit.
