Safer Socials Connector
Join us for our first Safer Socials Connector in the Bay Area. We’ll discuss the abuse of power by Big Tech monopolies and debate future-facing solutions to create stronger communities and businesses, as well as brighter futures for our present and future selves.
Host: Jacob Ward, CNN contributor, investigative journalist, and founder of The Rip Current Substack Newsletter
Tech-Know Talks
A selection of talks to offer thought-provoking insights and arguments about what we can do to reclaim our power back from Big Tech. Topics to include:
Keynote Speaker: Larz May, founder of #HalfTheStory and Ginko
Fighting the "Broligarchy"
Moderator: Kate Conger, Technology Reporter with The New York Times
Panelists: Varun Iyengar, organizer with Amazon Employees for Climate Justice and Software Development Engineer; and Nora Benavidez, Senior Counsel and Director of Digital Justice and Civil Rights for Free Press
Reclaiming Community and Connection
Moderator: Ella Sogomonian, Communications Strategist and Founder, Ella Vision LLC
Panelists: Nikki Iyer, Co-Chair at Design It For Us and Catalina Brennan-Gatica, Partner at The Worker Agency
Let's Get Connected!
We actively encourage human connection and conversation, so there will be ample opportunities to network and speak to someone new, learn what makes them smile, maybe what's keeping them awake at night or simply ask their favorite bath bomb!
Complimentary vegan bites and refreshments will be served.
Schedule:
4:45 to 5:00 — Keynote Speech
Hear from Larz May, founder of #HalfTheStory and Ginko
5:10 to 5:45 — Fighting the Broligarchy
A discussion around dismantling the concentrated political and societal power wielded by a small interconnected group of tech bro billionaires.
Panelists
Nora Benavidez, Senior Counsel and Director of Digital Justice and Civil Rights for Free Press
Varun Iyengar, Work Group Lead at Amazon Employees for Climate Justice (AECJ)
Moderator
Kate Conger, Technology Reporter with The New York Times
6:00 to 6:30 — Reclaiming Community + Connection
A conversation about how individuals are reclaiming power — disconnecting from exploitative platforms and building resilient communities that prioritize human connection over algorithms.
Panelists
Catalina Brennan-Gatica, Partner at The Worker Agency
Nikki Iyer, Co-Chair at Design It For Us
Moderator
Ella Sogomonian Communications Strategist and Founder of Ella Vision LLC
6:35 to 7:00 — Let's Chat, Minus the Bot
Close the day drinks, conversations and some vegan snacks.