The Conference on Business & Ethics is a much-anticipated event in Southern California that brings together faith-filled influential business, religious, academic and philanthropic leaders. In partnership with Farmers & Merchants Bank, The Orange Catholic Foundation has provided this forum for 22 years to inspire leaders to perform best ethical practices, both personally and professionally.
The Bishop’s Award for Exemplary Business Integrity recognizes business leaders who demonstrate ethical practices, both personally and professionally.
Founder and Executive Director of Higher Ground Youth & Family Services. In 2007, towards the end of a successful career in corporate communications, Joe Baldo went in search of service that would highly impact those in need. Several different volunteer roles led him to juvenile hall in Orange in 2008. The harsh reality these teens faced was immediately clear. After three years of experiencing the recidivism in the juvenile justice system, Joe knew that these youth desperately needed direction and a support system upon their release, so Joe left the Hall in 2010 to engage these same youth where they needed help the most … on “the outs”. Joe’s small ministry grew rapidly and out of necessity, he founded Higher Ground Youth & Family Services (HG) in 2012.
Within a year HG was granted the use of a 4-acre park in Downtown Anaheim. By 2016, collaborative agreements defined the critical roles of 6 university partners including service-learning classes taught on HG’s campus and behavioral health internships that allowed counseling services for our community. Enrichment programs were created and executed to prepare youth ages 7-17 for lifelong learning and resilience. Through HG, Joe ensured these youth would have academic tutoring, literacy programs, youth development programs, STEM education, art and music therapy, a variety of sports, a community garden, a kitchen, free meals, and a dedicated family wellness center providing counseling, all at no cost.
In 2019, the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force approached Joe to help create a human trafficking prevention program. Today that program is presented by HG teams, to junior high and high school students within the Orange County Department of Education, as well as foster youth and youth in the juvenile justice system. As this nonprofit evolves, new initiatives and services continue to expand as HG develops programs.
Joe and Barbara, his wife of 44 years, raised a son and a daughter who are both Catholic educators in Orange County. In their spare time, Joe and Barbara enjoy their four grandchildren and are dedicated philanthropists advocating for the betterment of underserved communities.
Chief Executive Officer, Tidemark Real Estate Services. Jim Snyder has 40 years of real estate experience and was the top selling broker at Lee & Associates, Newport Beach for 30 years. Jim has orchestrated over $2 Billion and 200 million square feet of transacted commercial real estate. Tidemark was formed to combine and build on the core services of brokerage and property management. This combination allows the company to assist clients from strategy to acquisition whether lease, sale or investment.
Jim and his wife, Coleen, celebrated their wedding 41 years ago at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Costa Mesa. Together, they have two children (Daughter, Jessica and Son, Taylor) and four grandchildren (Sierra, Elias, Penelope and Layla). Currently, Jim is a parishioner at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Dana Point, where he is a lector and member of the Knights of Columbus Council 12451.
He strongly supports Catholic education. Jim fondly recalls his grade school years at St. Thomas More Parish in Costa Mesa, sharing that he "really enjoyed being raised there" because the nuns felt like additional mothers in his life. After grade school, Jim attended Mater Dei High School before moving to Estancia High School, where he met his wife.
Coleen and Jim went on to attend UC Irvine, where he set the record as the university’s all-time leader in singles wins for tennis and earned the title of Big West Player of the Year three times. Jim earned his degree in Social Ecology, briefly played professional tennis before transitioning into a career in real estate.
Jim is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), Certified Commercial Property Manager (CPM), a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), a member of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and a member of the American Industrial Real Estate Association (AIR).
To qualify, one must:
The recipient of the award is an individual, couple, or organization who has made a significant contribution to the community within the Diocese of Orange.
Sister Johnellen Turner, O.P. is a proud native of Los Angeles. Answering God’s call, she entered religious life with the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose. Her ministry has been devoted to education, serving as a teacher at several schools, including: St. Ignatius in Los Angeles, St. Callistus in Garden Grove and St. Elizabeth in Oakland.
She has also held leadership roles as Administrator and Principal at St. Callistus in Garden Grove, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Montecito, St. Anthony in San Francisco, St. Edward in Newark and St. Catherine’s Academy in Anaheim, where she served for 17 years.
In addition to her work in schools, Sr. Johnellen has contributed to the broader educational community. She served as Associate Superintendent for the Diocese of Oakland, as well as Director of Schools and later Director of Sponsored Schools for the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose. These roles encompassed oversight of more than 20 schools across California, Oregon and Mexico.
Her expertise has been sought after by numerous boards, where she has served as a member, including: Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, La Cañada Flintridge, Immaculate Conception Cristo Rey Academy, San Francisco, Diocesan School Board for Oakland, Servite High School, Anaheim, Notre Dame High School, Belmont and Strategic Planning Committee and Consultative School Board for the Diocese of Orange.
Currently, Sr. Johnsellen serves as the Mission Advancement Associate for the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose. She is also a gifted Retreat Director, leading spiritual reflections for administrators, faculties, small groups, children, young adults and adults.
Farmers & Merchants Bank has graciously partnered with The Orange Catholic Foundation and supported the Conference on Business & Ethics as a Presenting Sponsor of the event and the Lifetime Achievement Award since 2012.
Jim Wahlberg aims to serve God by writing, speaking, filmmaking and serving our community. He is a producer, writer, and director of films, and uses his talents and experiences to raise awareness about opioid addiction and point to the hope found in Christ. He is the author of “The Big Hustle” and Executive Producer of the number one documentary film of 2022, across all genres, “Mother Teresa: No Greater Love” & most recently “Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist.” Jim has been married to his lovely wife, Benny for 30 years and they have three children.
During the 22nd Annual Conference on Business & Ethics, a distinguished guest panel will share their knowledge and perspectives on Christ-centered service, ethical practices, living out their values in both personal and professional life and the transformative impact Catholic education has had on their experiences.
The 2025 CBE Guest Panel includes:
Annette Walker, M.H.A., President, City of Hope Orange County
Oscar Gonzalez, Co-CEO, Northgate Gonzalez Market
Kevin Tiber, President, Farmers & Merchants Bank
The CBE Guest Panel will be moderated by Rand Sperry, CEO Sperry Commercial Global Affiliates.
As CEO Emeritus, Orange County Business Council, Lucy Dunn led for 16 years a dynamic organization of business, academia and government, to ensure the region’s economic prosperity and high quality of life. In retirement, she now serves as ex-officio “Business Representative” to the Regional Council of the Southern California Association of Governments, representing over 18.5 million people and mandated by the federal government to research and plan transportation, housing, air quality, and more.
Before joining OCBC, she was the first woman president of the Building Industry Association of Southern California in its 80-year history. She served as Director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development under Governor Schwarzenegger, who also appointed her to the California Transportation Commission in 2008. Governor Jerry Brown reappointed her two more terms.
Dunn was honored with the Bishop’s Award for Exemplary Leadership. She serves as director or advisor for numerous non-profit boards including Homeful Foundation, Pacific Symphony, OC Human Relations, Jamboree Housing. She serves as vice-chair of the board of The Orange Catholic Foundation.
OC Register named her as one of “Orange County’s 100 Most Influential.” Endangered Habitats League honored her for protecting habitat and cultural resources, while providing for mobility needs. Orange County Business Journal named her one of OC’s 500 most influential.
In addition, she cantors at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, sings with Meistersingers and Meritage chamber ensembles, and is the proud mother of two sons with accomplished daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren residing in the Bay Area.
Watch our video to learn how you helped make OCF’s 2024 Conference on Business & Ethics a fundraising success for Catholic schools and students in Orange County.
