Pradeep Khosla is the chancellor of UC San Diego and a nationally recognized voice on the evolving role of public research universities. Under his leadership, UC San Diego has doubled in size, broadened its access, and transformed from a "diamond in the rough" into a globally respected powerhouse for innovation, education, and the arts. He spearheaded the expansion of student housing—growing UC San Diego’s housing program into the second largest in the nation—to make college more affordable and accessible for thousands. Chancellor Khosla brings a strategic, inclusive lens to higher ed.

This Episode:
What should the modern public university look like and who should it serve?

In this episode of Stop & Talk, host Grant Oliphant and co-host Crystal Page sit down with Pradeep Khosla, Chancellor of UC San Diego, to discuss the transformational growth and philosophy behind one of the nation’s top public universities. Chancellor Khosla offers an expansive view on the role of public research universities in society—from economic impact to cultural integration and educational access.

With a focus on abundance over scarcity, Chancellor Khosla explains how UC San Diego has evolved into a national leader in both science and the arts, investing in student housing, public transit access, and downtown engagement. He also reflects on the challenges of leading through federal uncertainty, advocating for research funding, and shaping an inclusive institution that belongs to the community it serves.

Key Moments:
[3:20] From Pittsburgh to La Jolla – Why Chancellor Khosla came to UC San Diego and what he saw in its untapped potential.
[6:05] Elite, Not Elitist – How UC San Diego is challenging the notion that exclusivity equals excellence in higher education.
[21:30] Universities as Economic Engines – Why public research institutions are essential to regional prosperity and innovation.
[27:30] Housing is Access – How UCSD is addressing affordability by building one of the largest student housing programs in the country.
[37:40] The Importance of the Arts – The value of connecting the arts to education and community

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• UC San Diego Park & Market – A cultural and academic hub in downtown San Diego
• The Depot – UCSD’s newly purchased multidisciplinary arts incubator and cultural hub in Downtown San Diego
• San Diego Light Rail – Connecting communities to the UCSD campus

Take Action:

• Attend Events at Park & Market: Explore arts, lectures, and public programming in downtown SD.
• Visit UC San Diego: From the Birch Aquarium to campus cultural events, UCSD is open to all.
• Support Public Education & Research: Advocate for research funding and equitable higher ed access.
• Connect with the Arts: Engage with programs at The Depot and La Jolla Playhouse.
• Explore Philanthropy: Consider supporting educational initiatives that expand opportunity.

Dr. Paula Cordeiro is a trailblazing educator, leadership expert, and social entrepreneur working at the intersection of business, nonprofits, and global development. A former dean and founder of the Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego, she’s reshaping how we think about leadership, wealth building, and the power of purpose-driven enterprises. Through programs like the Global Entrepreneurship Fellowship, she’s connecting San Diego to the world and bringing the best of global innovation home.

This Episode:
What if nonprofits didn’t just serve communities but built wealth within them? And what if businesses weren’t just engines of profit but vehicles for social good?

Paula Cordeiro is championing a new model for leadership—one where empathy and equity are as important as profit margins. From food co-ops and employee-owned companies to certified B Corps and social enterprises, Paula sees a growing movement to blur the traditional lines between nonprofit and for-profit organizations. The goal? Create more sustainable, inclusive, and locally rooted economies.

In this conversation with Grant, Paula shares how her upbringing in a vibrant immigrant community shaped her worldview, how Mondragon, Spain, sparked her passion for co-ops, and why she believes San Diego can become a global hub for socially minded business innovation. She also reflects on the power of teaching empathy, and the opportunities to address wealth gaps.

Key Moments:
[11:20] Defining social enterprise: people, profit, and planet
[17:49] The evolving challenges facing nonprofit leaders today
[23:43] The case for employee-owned businesses and generational wealth
[31:16] How the Global Entrepreneurship Fellowship is building local and global bridges
[43:27] Empathy as a core leadership trait—and how it can be taught

Key Terms:

1. Social Enterprise: A business—either nonprofit or for-profit—that exists to advance a social or environmental mission. These organizations prioritize impact alongside profit and often reinvest earnings into their mission.
2. B Corporation (B Corp): A private company that has been certified by the nonprofit B Lab as meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
3. Benefit Corporation: A legal business structure recognized in many U.S. states that allows companies to pursue both profit and a broader social purpose. Unlike B Corps, benefit corporations are not certified but are legally bound to consider their impact on society and the environment.
4. ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan): A program that gives workers ownership interest in the company. ESOPs are a way to build wealth for employees and create a more engaged workforce.
5. Co-op (Cooperative): An organization or business owned and operated by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit. Co-ops can take many forms, such as food co-ops, housing co-ops, or worker-owned businesses.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Nonprofit Institute at University of San Diego – A hub for nonprofit leadership and research
• Mondragon Cooperative – A global model for employee-owned enterprises
• Pete Stavros TED Talk – A talk on rethinking corporate structures to expand who benefits from a thriving company

Take Action:

• Explore Social Enterprise – Learn how your organization could blend mission with sustainability
• Support Employee Ownership – Advocate for inclusive business models in your community
• Invest in Empathy – Build leadership programs that teach listening, reflection, and care
• Learn from Global Models – Look to places like Rwanda, Spain, and beyond for innovative approaches to business and development
• Join the Conversation – Share this episode with nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers ready to build a better way forward

Angelina Renteria is the Chief Operating Officer of Indian Health Council, a tribally-run health center serving nine sovereign tribal nations in North San Diego County. With nearly 30 years of experience in health and fitness and two decades in health-focused grant development, she brings deep expertise and cultural insight to her work. Angelina is a passionate advocate for wellness, community voice, and culturally grounded care that meets people where they are.

This Episode:
What if your doctor knew your name, your story, and what was in your fridge?

That’s the level of care Angelina Renteria champions through Indian Health Council. In this episode, Grant and Angelina explore what it means to offer "womb to tomb" care that reflects the culture, needs, and values of tribal communities. From snowy mountain roads to multi-generational households with limited transportation, tribal members face unique health access barriers, and Indian Health Council meets them with compassion and strategy.

Angelina shares how the clinic’s integrated care model—where providers, nurses, behavioral health staff, and even peer support specialists collaborate—leads to better outcomes and stronger trust. She also opens up about her own journey from a childhood on military bases to becoming an advocate for Native health, and how her experience of being othered as a teen became fuel for inclusive leadership.

Plus, Grant and Angelina talk about community-rooted solutions to the opioid crisis, why traditional practices like sweat and drum circles deserve recognition in modern medicine, and how the medicine wheel’s four pillars—mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical—can inspire a more balanced healthcare system for all.

Key Moments:

• [2:38] Why tribally informed care is essential and different from standard healthcare
• [10:22] What “womb to tomb” care looks like in practice
• [14:30] How trust and cultural understanding boost health outcomes
• [25:31]The four components of health: mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being
• [35:45] A bold approach to addressing addiction and recovery
• [51:06] What policymakers need to hear about tribal healthcare

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Indian Health Council – A tribal healthcare nonprofit serving nine tribes in North San Diego County
• The SHARE Initiative – A Prebys Foundation grant initiative supporting frontline health clinics

Take Action:

• Support Tribal Health – Learn more about Indian Health Council and the role of tribal health centers in equitable care.
• Challenge Stereotypes – Elevate community voice and resist one-size-fits-all solutions in health policy.
• Honor Traditional Medicine – Advocate for the inclusion of culturally rooted healing practices in healthcare systems.
• Build Belonging – Ask how your organization or community can better reflect and respect the cultures it serves.
• Share This Episode – Start the conversation about what real, holistic, culturally informed healthcare can look like.