Social Innovation Internship

Through reusable bag systems, policy advocacy, and retail partnerships across the country, Lotus Sustainables is on a mission to eliminate single-use plastics and prove that sustainability can be simple, scalable, and smart. Under the leadership of CEO Jesse Langley—a longtime advocate for conscious business and co-chair of Conscious Capitalism San Diego—Lotus has become a national leader in values-driven retail solutions. Jesse has also played an instrumental role in developing USD’s Social Innovation Internship, helping shape a vision for how business and education can collaborate to serve humanity.

Founded in 2023, Ascender Systems is a San Diego-based startup developing a patented robotic climber and “leave-behind” system to strengthen disaster response and critical infrastructure protection. At the helm is USD alum Jorge Muniz (KSB ‘24), a veteran of military aviation, government contracting, and tech entrepreneurship, who brings a career’s worth of operational leadership into a mission-driven effort to protect communities in crisis. This semester, Maureen Tejeda, a lawyer and Fulbright Scholar from the Dominican Republic pursuing her Master’s of Arts in Social Innovation at USD’s Kroc School, joined Ascender to support grant development and strategic planning. While Maureen brought over a decade of experience in social projects and public policy, this internship gave her a chance to work in an entirely new sector—emergency technology innovation—and apply her skills toward building more resilient communities. Maureen’s work with Ascender Systems represents what makes the Social Innovation Internship so powerful: a dynamic blend of real-world problem-solving, purpose-driven leadership, and student-centered learning. Through this campus-wide program—led by USD’s Center for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Career Development Center, in partnership with Conscious Capitalism San Diego and generously supported by the Prebys Foundation —we are equipping students to engage with complex societal challenges and preparing them to lead in fields where innovation and impact go hand in hand.

Ascent Funding is a San Diego-based company committed to a powerful idea: increasing access to higher education through financial tools that empower students to succeed. Realizing such an important mission requires a company culture rooted in trust, collaboration, and innovation. That is exactly the type of culture Emily Skoubo, Ascent’s Senior Human Resources Manager, has helped build over her nine years with the company. Emily’s leadership—and Ascent’s purpose-driven focus—made them an ideal partner for our inaugural Social Innovation Internship cohort. This past semester, Mikaela Montemayor, a second-year Economics major at the University of San Diego, joined Ascent to support their workforce development efforts. Her internship focused on designing and refining onboarding programs for new hires—real-world projects that aligned directly with Ascent’s mission to help students thrive, not just financially but professionally. Mikaela’s opportunity with Ascent illustrates what becomes possible when students are empowered to connect what they’re learning in the classroom with hands-on experience in San Diego’s purpose-driven economy. Through the Social Innovation Internship—organized in partnership with Conscious Capitalism San Diego and supported by a generous grant from the Prebys Foundation—we’re cultivating leaders who understand how business, access, and innovation intersect. It’s a powerful expression of USD’s commitment to Cultivate Innovation to Serve Humanity , a cornerstone of our Strategic Vision: Lighting the Way Forward .

In the luxury fashion world, San Diego-based FASHIONPHILE is leading a quiet revolution—one that combines resale, circularity, and rigorous sustainability practices to redefine what responsible business can look like. Founded in 1997, the company has grown into a market leader by extending the life cycle of high-end handbags and accessories, and more recently, by pursuing B Corp certification to ensure every aspect of its operation aligns with high social and environmental standards. This semester, Claire Morris, a sophomore Industrial Engineering major at the University of San Diego, joined FASHIONPHILE’s Impact team to support sustainability research and reporting. Under the mentorship of Impact Analyst Jason Boerst, Claire applied her analytical mindset to help quantify the environmental and financial benefits of solar energy, evaluate sustainable packaging, and contribute to the company’s multi-year B Corp recertification process. Claire’s internship experience reflects why we developed the Social Innovation Internship: to connect USD students with purpose-driven companies across San Diego to solve real-world challenges and prepare for careers at the intersection of innovation, ethics, and impact. Led by the Center for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Career Development Center, and supported by Conscious Capitalism San Diego and a generous grant from the Prebys Foundation, this initiative creates opportunities for students to explore the future of business—and shape it.

Global Communities is a nonprofit on the front lines of international development and systems innovation. With programs spanning maternal health, water access, domestic worker rights, and clean energy solutions, their approach is rooted in community-led change and cross-sector collaboration. Within their Innovation Works team, led by social innovators Chris Bessenecker and Radhika Bhavsar, the organization is advancing bold, adaptive strategies to address complex global challenges. This spring, Helene Aung joined Global Communities as a University of San Diego Social Innovation Intern. A first-year graduate student from Burma (Myanmar) pursuing her Master of Arts in Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego’s Kroc School of Peace Studies, Helene brought a global lens, deep curiosity, and strong project management skills to the team. Over the course of her internship, she supported initiatives ranging from maternal health in San Diego to research around new social enterprise models—navigating shifts in funding, learning fast, and contributing insights that reflect her lived experience and academic training. Helene’s internship is a clear reflection of what the Social Innovation Internship is designed to provide: purpose-driven experiences where students sharpen their skills while engaging in real-world work alongside mission-aligned professionals. Led by the University of San Diego's Center for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Career Development Center—and supported by Conscious Capitalism San Diego and a generous grant from the Prebys Foundation—this initiative is part of USD’s commitment to cultivating innovation in service to humanity.

Mission Edge is a nonprofit that believes business can be a powerful tool for social change. Through its Impact Lab, the organization works to equip underserved small business owners across San Diego with the skills, confidence, and financial tools to grow their ventures and uplift their communities. Ana Dominguez, a USD alum with a Master of Arts in Social Innovation (MASI), leads this effort—bridging finance, community engagement, and cross-sector collaboration to expand opportunity in a city she’s proud to serve. This semester, Cataleen Flores, a third-year Business Administration major and Sociology minor at the University of San Diego, joined the Mission Edge team as part of the Social Innovation Internship program. With deep roots in her family’s business and a lifelong commitment to social justice, Cataleen brought her unique background and inclusive leadership style to the organization—supporting outreach, recruitment, and resource development for local entrepreneurs. This is the kind of partnership we had in mind when we designed the Social Innovation Internship: connecting purpose-driven students with mission-aligned organizations that are shaping the future of inclusive entrepreneurship in our region. Led by the Center for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Career Development Center—and supported by Conscious Capitalism San Diego and a generous grant from the Prebys Foundation—this program prepares students to build careers at the intersection of values, strategy, and systems change.

From major regional events like San Diego Women’s Week to intimate leadership roundtables and small business forums, the North San Diego Business Chamber plays a vital role in convening leaders, empowering professionals, and shaping the future of our region’s economy. Under the leadership of CEO Chris Thorne, the Chamber is deeply committed to workforce development, mentorship, and creating opportunities for meaningful community engagement. This spring, MBA candidate Morgan Blum joined the Chamber as a University of San Diego Social Innovation Intern, bringing her background in project management, consulting, and entrepreneurship to the Chamber’s event strategy. Tasked with managing logistics for high-profile events like San Diego Women’s Week, Morgan supported every phase of planning—from vendor coordination and budget tracking to event-day operations. Her role placed her at the center of one of the region’s most celebrated leadership events, connecting her with professionals across industries and strengthening her skills as a strategic planner and communicator. Morgan’s experience illustrates the value of USD's Social Innovation Internship: connecting mission-driven students with purpose-oriented organizations where they can apply their skills and grow their networks. Led by USD’s Center for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Career Development Center—and supported by Conscious Capitalism San Diego and a generous grant from the Prebys Foundation—the Social Innovation Internship offers students like Morgan a launchpad into careers where business, leadership, and impact converge.

Rescue Agency is a mission-driven marketing firm that uses behavior change strategies to tackle public health challenges at scale. Whether through digital campaigns to prevent teen vaping or educational initiatives on mental health and nutrition, Rescue works with governments and nonprofits to create healthier communities—and they do it through storytelling rooted in data, culture, and compassion. This semester, Ali Taliaferro, a sophomore Communications major at the University of San Diego with minors in Environmental Studies and Changemaking, joined Rescue Agency through the Social Innovation Internship. With a passion for impact and a gift for forging meaningful relationships, Ali worked under the guidance of Director of Marketing and Education Kelly Mantick to help develop Rescue’s 2024 Impact Report. From analyzing more than 175 campaigns to shaping a compelling narrative about Rescue’s nationwide influence, Ali’s work helped spotlight the measurable change Rescue creates through marketing for good. Ali's contribution exemplifies the purpose of our Social Innovation Internship: to provide students with meaningful, mission-aligned opportunities to apply their talents in real-world professional settings. Led by USD’s Center for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Career Development Center—and organized in partnership with Conscious Capitalism San Diego and a generous grant from the Prebys Foundation—the Social Innovation Internship connects students to professional networks and impactful projects that align with our strategic vision to cultivate innovation in service to humanity.

Visceral is a San Diego-based creative agency that partners with world-changing organizations to build powerful brands and websites that reflect their values. As a certified B Corporation and a proud member of Business for Good San Diego, Visceral brings design, technology, and strategy together to help nonprofits, foundations, and purpose-driven companies amplify their message and deepen their impact. This semester, Katerina Martir, a second-year student double majoring in Visual Arts and Marketing at the University of San Diego, joined Visceral as a Social Innovation Intern. Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Katerina brought a unique creative lens, grounded in activism and culture, to her role. Under the guidance of CEO and co-founder Jay Buys, she supported a range of design and strategy projects—from conducting landscape analyses to contributing to site development for mission-driven clients. Katerina’s experience with Visceral reflects what we aim to create through the Social Innovation Internship: meaningful, project-based experiences that allow students to apply their values and talents in real-world contexts. Led by the Center for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Career Development Center—and supported by Conscious Capitalism San Diego and a generous grant from the Prebys Foundation—this program is building the next generation of creative professionals who know that design, storytelling, and social change can go hand in hand.