Welcome to Your City: San Diego

Teresa Acuña is Principal at Ascend Advisors, a strategic consulting firm that partners with organizations to tackle complex challenges at the intersection of business and policy. With more than 15 years of experience, Teresa has a proven track record of translating ambitious ideas into actionable strategies and measurable results at the state and federal level. Teresa served the Biden-Harris Administration as Climate Advisor and Director of the Good Jobs Initiative at the U.S. Department of Labor. She also served as Legislative Director in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the California State Legislature, where she developed and advanced forward-looking policy solutions. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School, where she was recognized as a Roy and Lila Ash Fellow in Democratic Governance and a Sheila C. Johnson Leadership Fellow. Teresa recently relocated to San Diego, where she’s happily exploring new restaurants, planning her next trip, and working on a tennis game that’s still more enthusiasm than skill.

Mergers & Acquisitions / Private Equity Attorney, Harvard Law School Class of 2007, San Diego native

Co-President, HCSD

Natasia de Silva JD, MBA is the founder of The Inspired Ascent, specializing in strategic planning, board development, and capacity building for nonprofits. Natasia looks forward to connecting with other local alumni!

MPP, MBA - I own a nearshore IT staffing company, harnessing LatAm talent. Happy to meet other Harvard alums for personal and professional networking.

Finished my Master in Public Policy from Harvard in May and I just moved back to San Diego where I grew up! Prior to HKS, I was at a small social policy research firm for 4 years in Seattle and DC. I like social policy, education reform, and the beach. Would love to connect!

I have worked at Harvard University in Admissions and Financial Aid for the past six years and previously spent a few years teaching English in Spain. I’m now excited to explore new opportunities in education consulting, edtech, and adult education and training programs. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, cycling, and traveling. I love connecting with others and am always open for a coffee chat or call!

https://wrfranklin.org/ major: Applied Math (CS) retired engineering prof, RPI

Applied Mathematics; Environmental Science & Public Policy

Just moved to sd

Hey! I split time between Texas and California. Into rock climbing, ping pong, and great pizza.

Recent grad from Harvard Kennedy School, and new to San Diego (moved for love!). Prior to Kennedy, spent 5 years with the Centre for Public Impact leading trainings in human-centered design and civic innovation for local governments around the world. Eager to connect with local alumni.

Just moved to San Diego from Japan with my husband (HSDM '22) :)

Retired serial entrepreneur and father of triplets. Mentor start-ups and angel investing these days. Also run, fly, ride my motorcycle, and do yoga.

Orly Lobel is the Warren Distinguished Professor of Law, and the founding director of the Center for Employment and Labor Policy (CELP) at University of San Diego. She is the award-winning author of best-selling books and numerous high-impact articles. A graduate of Tel-Aviv University and Harvard Law School, Lobel clerked on the Israeli Supreme Court and is a member of the American Law Institute. She has recently been named as one of the most cited legal scholars in in law and technology and in employment law and overall one of the most cited younger legal scholars in the United States. She has received several grants for her scholarship including most recently a grant from the AI and Humanities Project. Lobel served on President Obama’s policy team on innovation and labor market competition, advised the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the American Conference of the United States (ACUS) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and other federal and state agencies on tech policy. Lobel consults private tech leaders on competition, human capital, equality, innovation, labor markets, and tech policy. Lobel is a prolific speaker, consultant, expert witness, commentator, and a thought leader who travels the world with an impact on policy and industry. In 2023, she keynoted the United Nations AI for Good Summit in Geneva. She is a beloved teacher and mentor and has been recognized by her students as a Woman of Impact and a Woman of Valor. She is regularly quoted in the media and her work has been featured in top media including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Sunday Times, Time Magazine, The New Yorker, Forbes, and the Harvard Business Review. Her books You Don’t Own Me: How Mattel v. MGA Entertainment Exposed Barbie’s Dark Side (Norton) and Talent Wants to Be Free: Why We Should Learn to Love Leaks, Raids and Free Riding (Yale University Press) are the recipient of several prestigious awards and have been reviewed in top scholarly journals and media. Her new book The Equality Machine: Harnessing Tomorrow’s Technologies for a Brighter, More Inclusive Future (PublicAffairs) has received rave reviews and was named by The Economist Best Book of 2022 (“brilliant”). Science Magazine calls the book “masterful” and Kirkus describes The Equality Machine, “a compelling, hopeful, enthusiastic yet measured argument for technology’s potential to promote equality across many facets of culture and industry.” Honors and Affiliations Lobel is the recipient of several prestigious research grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the American Bar Association litigation Fund, the Searle-Kauffman Fellowship, the Southern California Innovation Project, and Netspar, University of Tilburg. She is a member of the American Law Institute and serves on the advisory boards of the San Diego Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society, the Employee Rights Center, and the Oxford Handbook on Governance. Her articles have won several awards including the Thorsnes Prize for Outstanding Legal Scholarship and the Irving Oberman Memorial Award. Lobel is a frequent speaker at universities throughout Asia, Europe and North America. She was USD's Herzog Endowed Scholar for the 2012-13 academic year. Lobel was the 2013-14 recipient of USD’s Thorsnes Prize for Outstanding Legal Scholarship. In 2022-2023, she was awarded for the second time a University Professorship. Most recently, she is the recipient of the AI and Humanities Grant. Lobel serves on the advisory board for the Future of Privacy Forum.

By say I am a Program Management consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton by night I am CEO to the medical device technology company, AvaSci, looking to bring medical devices to the AI revolution.

Please see my website: www.victoriamartino.com

Raised north of Boston as an athlete and outdoor lover… After Harvard, I moved out to San Francisco for finance and high-tech. Got a Stanford MBA then moved to London for 10 years where I experienced the best of Europe! 3 daughters born there. Next moved to Charlotte NC where my (now ex-) husband took a job in banking. Went back to school for a masters in psychology and started working in cognitive science, motivation, life transitions, divorce, and relationship repair… Skills that are in demand everywhere, including my new city of San Diego to which I moved earlier this year! Love it here and you will too!

Highly accomplished investment executive with 25+ years of leadership across global asset management, private banking, and family office advisory, overseeing multibillion-dollar institutional portfolios. Holds Caltech PhD in Physics, CFA, CAIA, and active FINRA licenses (SIE, 63, 65, 66), along with California Insurance License #4461553. Bilingual in English and Chinese Mandarin, with deep expertise in cross-border wealth planning, portfolio construction, and UHNW relationship management. Previously with PIMCO, Goldman Sachs, UBS, and McKinsey.

In San Diego during time off from my PhD program, currently interning at ASML. Looking to jump back into biotech/med tech next summer as my formal training is in that! Would love to connect!

I’m a residential realtor with a love for helping people find their dream homes. Outside of real estate, I’m always up for an adventure—whether it’s hiking, traveling, or tasting new foods. I’m passionate about art and cooking, and most of all, I treasure time spent exploring and making memories with my husband and our two kids.

Native of Cape Coral, Florida. Prior to HBS I was a Navy pilot stationed here in San Diego. I am now looking for a small business to acquire and operate here in the San Diego area. Recently got engaged to the wonderful Adriana Keamy. I am a huge Buffalo Bills fan! Any introductions to local small business owners or professionals who serve that space (CPAs, Wealth managers, attorneys) would be greatly appreciated!

MPA, Harvard Kennedy School, Mason Fellow 2025. Hailing from Nigeria’s Niger Delta, I'm passionate about championing children’s rights and education. My vision is to build a new model for child protection in Africa, leveraging technology and innovation to create an impact-driven center. I'm eager to connect with fellow alumni to spark new partnerships and build a lasting legacy.

LizzyWright.com