Mary Lindenstein Walshok, Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Programs and Dean of Extension at UC San Diego, is among a group of distinguished San Diegans who will be honored by LEAD San Diego at the civic group’s 12th annual Visionary Awards.
Set for Thursday, May 22, 5 pm to 8 pm, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, the event continues LEAD San Diego’s tradition of paying tribute to outstanding local leaders who work to improve the San Diego/Northern Baja California region
Walshok will receive the Charles Nathanson Memorial Award for Cross-Border Region Building, recognizing her on-going efforts to solve border issues and unite San Diego with Baja California for a common future.

Mary Lindenstein Walshok
“I am very pleased that our collective efforts to maximize the potential of the border will be recognized,” said Walshok. “LEAD San Diego continues to be a valuable partner in helping forge a closer binational partnership.”
A co-founder of San Diego Dialogue, a program focused on opportunities in the San Diego-Tijuana region, Dean Walshok is an industrial sociologist who’s currently engaged in research on the dynamics of binational innovation.
Walshok is the co-author of “Invention & Reinvention: The Evolution of San Diego’s Innovation Economy,” a newly published book (Stanford University Press) that analyzes San Diego’s ever-changing sociological, political and economic trends.
This year’s LEAD San Diego honorees also include:
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Genomic pioneer J. Craig Venter: Economic Opportunity Award
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Padres owner Ron Fowler: Neil Morgan Award for Lifetime Achievement
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Judith Harris, Mel Katz and Katie Sullivan: Ronald Kendrick Memorial Award for Regional Collaboration
"Part of our mission is to inspire leadership and civic engagement on regional issues affecting our entire region," said Vicky Carlson, president/CEO of LEAD San Diego. "We are pleased to recognize leaders who give selflessly of their time and talent to make a difference in our community."