PIMCO partners with CoLabL to design and facilitate The Bridge, an early career talent engagement lab that brings Orange County nonprofit leaders and emerging professionals into the same room to solve real problems together.

Hosted at PIMCO’s Newport Beach headquarters through the Purpose at PIMCO initiative, the half-day experience was built around a simple idea: nonprofits and early career talent both have something the other needs, and the right connections unlock impact on both sides.

“Conversations with like-minded professionals surfaced insights I would not have thought of on my own.” — The Bridge Attendee

Rather than lectures, The Bridge centered on small-group exchange labs where nonprofits and early career professionals worked side by side on real organizational challenges in marketing, fundraising, programming, and AI.

“The small group setting was the most valuable. Solving problems together made the experience that much better.” — The Bridge Attendee

Co-owner of the MacKenzie Corp and futurist keynote, Jenny Dinnen, pushed attendees to think ahead, and the labs gave people space to step back and think strategically alongside peers who understand their world. Nonprofit leaders left with a tailored “Next Steps” playbook, and early career professionals left with a clearer roadmap for turning their skills into long-term social impact.

The day was designed to spark lasting partnerships, not just one-time conversations. That intention showed up in the outcomes. The most common result attendees reported was an expanded and more diverse network, followed closely by new tools, frameworks, and perspectives they could take straight back to their organizations.

“Having the space to step back and analyze, with others in the same sector, was invaluable.” — The Bridge Attendee

The experience reflects PIMCO’s commitment to purpose-driven community engagement and CoLabL’s belief that relationships drive change.

2026 Impact Highlights

• 73 attendees gathered at PIMCO’s Newport Beach headquarters for the inaugural Bridge
• 4.5 out of 5 average overall experience rating
• 100% of survey respondents would recommend CoLabL programming and would attend a future session
• 76% of respondents expanded or diversified their professional network
• 72% gained new tools, frameworks, and perspectives they could apply in their own organizations
• Hands-on exchange labs connected nonprofits and early career talent on real challenges in marketing, fundraising, programming, and AI