Recap: 2023 Revitate Social Impact Summit
On October 11th, Revitate hosted its 2023 Social Impact Summit at the Orange County Museum of Art. The Summit is an annual tradition, intending to bring together the Revitate’s community and celebrate leaders making unique contributions at the intersection of business and social impact.
The event began with an update from Revitate Executive Chairman Alex Bhathal on the firm’s overall progress, including the recent opening of the Morrison Yard Opportunity Zone project, launch of Revitate Cherry Tree’s second workforce housing fund, and a preview of additional investment strategies anticipated for 2024.
Revitate Co-Founder and Chief Impact Officer Lisa Merage then moderated a panel entitled “Visionary Women with Impact,” featured three leading female executives pursuing impact-driven strategies in the public, private, and philanthropic sectors:
Shannon Eusey, CEO, Beacon Pointe
Courtney La Bau, Commissioner, Los Angeles World Airports
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Executive Director, NBA Players Association Foundation
Alex then announced this year’s Social Impact Champion award winner to NBA Hall of Famer, Vlade Divac. As a legendary professional basketball player, business executive, philanthropist, and social activist, Mr. Divac treated the audience to an intimate conversation about his personal and professional journey, as well as his ongoing endeavors to help those need, especially in his home country of Serbia.
“I came to the U.S. because I had a dream to play in the NBA, but at the same time, my country was going through a civil war,” Divac said. “There are challenges in life that have impact on all of us, and we have to do everything in our power to help our community, our country and our world.”
Divac set up a foundation to help people being impacted by the war, and mobilized the NBA to help as well, bringing basketball to youths from various regions of the former Yugoslavia. The joy of sports and friendly competition supported the healing process and helped war-torn families move forward.
Revitate’s Chief Operating Officer Kunal Merchant served as emcee, closing the event with an encouragement to the audience to think broadly and creatively on how each individual can find “authentic, durable, and effective” paths to impact.
Revitate plans to re-convene for its next annual Social Impact Summit in the fall of 2024.