Guest commentary: Nonprofits don’t have a donor problem; they have a clarity problem
By Eric Knight Nonprofits are part of the Central Coast’s civic and economic infrastructure — delivering healthcare, food security, housing support, education and environmental protection in communities throughout the region. The people leading these organizations are among the most mission-driven professionals in our economy. Yet many nonprofit leaders are operating inside systems that make their Read More →
Guest commentary: Chartering a path through chaotic times with private flights
By Sarah Oberman How many businesses can survive their top executives being out of touch for more than a day or two? What about those same top executives being unavailable for a week? Two weeks? How many deadlines would be missed? How many deals would fall through? How many tasks wouldn’t be done? How much Read More →
Guest commentary: Why stronger brains will define the future of work
By Vlad Vaiman Artificial intelligence may be the most significant workforce transformation since the advent of electricity. But while earlier waves of automation replaced human muscle, today’s shift is fundamentally different. It is not about replacing people, but about reshaping how we think, decide and work alongside intelligent systems. A recent World Economic Forum report Read More →
Guest commentary: Why your environment, not your workload, is driving burnout
By John La Puma, M.D. We live in one of the most envied regions on Earth. From the tech corridors, beaches and foothills of Santa Barbara to the agricultural powerhouses and beautiful landscapes of San Luis Obispo, the Central Coast is defined by its terrain. Yet, despite our geography, local business leaders are facing the Read More →
Guest commentary: Support employee health and wealth
By Brian Hutchin In today’s economy, it’s more important than ever for employers to focus on attracting and retaining employees. The current competitive market environment and higher expectations from candidates mean employers need to differentiate themselves, and one way to do this is with workplace benefits. WORKFORCE RETENTION SOURCES While some employment metrics are promising — Read More →
Guest commentary: Government funding cuts, rising costs at community colleges impact students
By Anne Paul King Think back to when you attended college. The costs were high, but not insurmountable. Community colleges were an option that offered post-secondary education close to home with affordable tuition. Today, while education costs at community colleges are still low compared to four-year universities, it might be surprising to some that the Read More →
Guest commentary: Is the Sable Offshore restart a genuine safety crisis, or has the finish line been moving for years?
By Jim Lisi Oil is flowing again. On March 14, 2026, Sable Offshore Corp. began shipping crude through a pipeline that had been inactive for nearly eleven years — one that ruptured in May 2015, releasing roughly 101,000 gallons of crude oil near Refugio State Beach, with an estimated 21,000 gallons reaching the Pacific. That Read More →
