SDSI MISSION
SD Sport Innovators is the heartbeat of the Southern California sports business community. We inspire sports innovation through connections & networking, mentoring & education and access to capital.
As a non-profit, business accelerating, trade organization SDSI connects and drives the growth of Southern California's vibrant sports economy by offering innovative programs and services for start-ups, mature companies and service providers. We offer mentoring, education and capital funding opportunities for start-ups; best practice collaboration, access to new technology and public policy advocacy for mature companies; as well as deal flow to our service providers and the Southern California Investment Community.
STAFF/CONTACT
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Lisa Freedman
Executive Director
With almost 20 years experience, Lisa brings to SDSI strong credentials in business development, management, marketing, operations and event production. While her career has mostly kept her working with the traditional sports such as football and baseball, she is very proud to have been part of the Sport and Venue team running the inaugural Olympic Mountain Bike Events at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta.
Lisa’s responsibilities at SDSI include growing our membership, maintaining relationships and ensuring member and sponsor fulfillment, creating and implementing new marketing strategies, business operations and budget management and creating meaningful events. I am very excited to have joined such a unique organization with such a dynamic staff, board and membership base. I am looking forward to a very successful and productive future where SDSI has a significant positive social and economic impact on Southern California’s Sports Community
Over the course of her career, Lisa has worked on some of the world’s most prestigious events with some of the foremost sports architects including the Event Group at the international sports architecture firm, Populous. Over the years and while working for her well respected mentors, she had the amazing experiences working on NFL Super Bowls, MLB all Star Games, the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the 2012 London Olympics, as well as special projects for the International Olympic Committee. As a result, she has a vast network across many aspects of the Sports and Events Industries. Most people, when asked to describe her, say that she knows everyone as she has a wonderful memory for names, faces and fun facts about the people she has met.
Raised: Atlanta, GA
Education: UC Santa Barbara
Favorite Sport: Love them all, but will always have a special place in my heart for tennis.
Email: lfreedman@connect.org
Phone: (858) 964-1351
Fax: (858) 964-1301
- Garrett Hale
Program Manager and Assistant to Executive Chairman, Bill Walton
As program manager Garrett oversees operational duties and initiatives for the organization. In his role Garrett focuses on assisting Bill Walton in gaining new members to help SDSI grow as an organization, strengthening SDSI’s role in the industry thus making Southern California the place for sport innovation. Prior to SDSI, Garrett worked in the hospitality industry as a catering & sales manager for a small boutique hotel in San Diego. Garrett attended SMU in Dallas, Texas and graduated with a B.A. in Public Policy & Business Economics.
Raised: San Diego, CA
Education: Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
Favorite Sport: Snowboarding and surfing
Email: ghale@connect.org
Phone: (858) 964-1314
Fax: (858) 964-1301
- Renne Catalano
Senior Program Coordinator
As senior program associate Renne is responsible for working with Lisa and Garrett on operational duties and initiatives. Renne manages the SDSI arm of CONNECT’s Springboard program working closely with the sport-minded entrepreneurs and early stage companies through the mentoring process. Renne also manages membership at the start-up and individual level. She is the manager and editor for the SDSI newsletter and also coordinates SDSI’s annual, quarterly and special events.
Renne relocated from New York in February of 2010 where she received an associate's degree in Fashion Merchandising Management from the Fashion Institute of Technology and worked in public relations for a women's fashion house based out of NYC. Renne has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Conflict Resolution from the State University of New York College at Geneseo.
Raised: Averill Park, NY
Education: State University of NY College at Geneseo and Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC
Favorite Sport: Surfing is my favorite obsession, running keeps me sane and soccer is my first love.
Email: RCatalano@connect.org
Phone: (858) 964-1334
Fax: (858) 964-1301
SDSI ADDRESS
8950 Villa La Jolla Drive
Suite A-124
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: (858) 964-1330
