EXP The Opportunity Engine

When Emma R. arrived at her EXP summer internship at Yusen Terminals, she knew she wanted to learn. As an engineering pathway student at Sato Academy of Math and Sciencey of Math and Science, she just wasn’t sure what she would discover.

What she discovered was a whole new world.

From the boardroom to the top of a cargo terminal crane, Emma explored the people and operations behind one of Long Beach’s vital connections to the global economy. She learned about terminal operations, met crane operators and maintenance staff, connected with port operators and communications professionals, and even stepped outside her comfort zone by attending a professional industry event with her supervisor.

The experience opened her eyes to possibilities she hadn’t considered before.

“Gaining insight into the Terminals’ future projects has really inspired me to expand my professional goals,” Emma shared. “I realize that there is no need to limit myself.”

That is the power of a career-connected experience.

An internship can be more than a line on a résumé. It can introduce a student to an industry, connect them with professionals, build confidence, and help them see a future they may never have imagined for themselves.

Emma’s experience is what EXP is all about: connecting a young person with an opportunity that can change how they see their future.

Now, we want to open more doors for Long Beach students.

This summer, 171 high school juniors like Emma completed paid summer internships through EXP, including nearly 50 from Long Beach. Next summer, we aim to create internship opportunities for over 200 students.

Long Beach Gives is an opportunity for our community to invest in the students who will shape the future of our city, our workforce, and our region. Will you help EXP expand access to the experiences that helped Emma discover her potential?

From now through TOMORROW. Thursday, September 24, donate to EXP and help more students discover their potential.

Because sometimes, all it takes is one opportunity to see how much more is possible.

DONATE HERE --> https://www.longbeachgives.org/donate/exp

This summer, we hosted our first high school student through EXP The Opportunity Engine‘s Summer Internship Program! ☀️ A Southern California native, Payton is going into her senior year at San Pedro High School. She is also taking dual enrollment classes at LA Harbor College, where she is focused on fulfilling the prerequisites for nursing programs.

Payton says she wants to earn a Bachelor’s degree in nursing because of her deep compassion for others and her strong belief in the healing properties of human connection. ❤️‍🩹 She saw this impact first-hand when her baby brother was in the NICU, and she realized what a huge difference she can make.

This summer, she had the opportunity to shadow various clinical roles at CDHC, while also using her background in fundraising and marketing to support the Advancement Department. 💌 As an active member of multiple school clubs, she has developed fundraising ideas and brought them to fruition. During her time at CDHC, she assisted before, during and after special community events, while honing her relationship building and presentation skills.

When she’s not focused on school, Payton says she can often be found at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor getting help as she prepares for college season. She has also gotten help with that from our college intern, who was in her same shoes not long ago! 🙌

Coffee. Community. Opportunity! Thank you friends, EXP staff, and Teofilo Coffee Company Long Beach patrons for supporting our Long Beach Gives fundraiser yesterday.

Today we will be at Long Beach Gives Live Expo and Festival at Recreation Park Bandshell 2-5 pm. Hope to see you there!

Because everybody needs a boost, join us at Teofilo Coffee Company in Long Beach on Saturday, September 19, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. 10% of all purchases will be donated to EXP to help create more opportunities for Long Beach students to explore their potential and prepare for their futures. Learn more: Coffee. Community. Opportunity. EXP x Teofilo for Long Beach Gives

Some of the most meaningful partnerships begin with a shared belief in community's power. For Teofilo Coffee Company Founder and CEO Ron Dizon, that belief is deeply rooted in his Filipino heritage.

Inspired by his mother’s stories about the Philippines’ rich coffee history, Ron set out to reconnect people with the culture, farmers, and traditions behind Filipino coffee. Today, Teofilo honors that legacy by showcasing four commercially cultivated Philippine coffee species — Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa, and Liberica, also known as Barako — supporting farming communities and helping bring Filipino coffee to the world.

But Ron’s commitment to community doesn’t stop there. In 2023, he volunteered with EXP as a guest speaker at our GPS Your Future® career discovery day, sharing his entrepreneurial journey and encouraging high school students to think boldly about their futures. Since then, he has continued to support EXP. And now, he’s helping us raise funds for Long Beach Gives.

Whether you’re discovering Filipino coffee for the first time or stopping by for your favorite drink, your purchase will support a business committed to its roots, its community, and the next generation.

What: Fundraiser for EXP's Long Beach Gives Campaign
When: Saturday, September 19, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Teofilo Coffee Company - Long Beach.5668 E. 2nd Street
Long Beach, CA 90803.

Can't make it on Saturday? Early giving starts NOW! Every dollar donated to EXP will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $8,000, doubling the impact of your generosity and helping us create even more opportunities for our students in Long Beach and beyond. --> https://www.longbeachgives.org/donate/exp

Join us on Wednesday, July 29, for a relaxed evening with an ocean breeze at Warehouse 9 Warehouse 9 San Pedro in San Pedro! Whether you're an EXP alum, a supporter, a volunteer, or a friend of EXP, we'd love to see you there!

Come reconnect with familiar faces, make new connections, and hear what everyone has been up to since their time with EXP. There’s no formal program—just great conversations, summer vibes, and a chance to spend time with the people who make this community so special.

Bring a friend, wear your favorite tropical fit, and join us for a fun summer evening. We hope to see you there!

Link in bio for RSVP by Friday, July 24.

🍻 EXP Alumni Network Summer Mixer

🗓️ Wednesday, July 29. 6-8 p.m.

📍 Warehouse 9. 110 East 22nd Street, San Pedro, CA 90731

🍕 No-host bar (beers, seltzers, and other non-alcoholic options). Pizza courtesy of Big Nick's Pizza. Food truck is also available. All ages welcome. Dog-friendly. 

Today, on our 27th anniversary, we’re proud to introduce EXP’s updated mission statement:

✨ EXP empowers youth to confidently step into tomorrow’s workforce by connecting students with real-world experiences through industry and education partnerships, mentorship, and early-career opportunities. ✨

At EXP, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their potential and confidently pursue a meaningful future.

Since our founding on June 8, 1999, by the former Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner Carol Rowen and a passionate group of founding members, EXP has connected students to hands-on learning experiences that inspire confidence, expand opportunity, and bridge the gap between education and career.

Our heart is always in the harbor with our eyes towards the future.

As the world of work continues to evolve through rapid technological change, emerging industries, and shifting career pathways, students need more than career awareness alone. They need real-world experiences, mentorship, industry connections, and access to opportunities that help them navigate what comes next.

This updated mission reflects the heart of EXP’s work and Carol's vision to harness the power of industry, education, and community to impact youth and change lives. It sharpens our focus and reinforces our commitment to preparing students not only for their first job but for long-term success in a rapidly changing workforce.

It also serves as the foundation for our Unlocking Tomorrow 2030 Strategic Plan, which outlines how EXP will continue expanding access to career-connected learning, mentorship, internships, and industry partnerships across our regions.

This next chapter for EXP is about more than growth. It’s about ensuring students have the relationships, experiences, and support systems they need to thrive in tomorrow’s workforce.

Thank you for believing in our students and supporting this mission.

Together, we are unlocking tomorrow.

Learn more about our 2030 Strategic Plan: http://www.expfuture.org/next

Thanks to our year-round lead partners: BNSF Railway, California Community Foundation, Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, Port of Los Angeles, and Valero Energy.

We are excited to announce that our CEO, Mary Tran, is among the Women's Leadership Awards nominees!

The Women’s Leadership Symposium & Awards honors the achievements of powerful women who make a difference throughout Los Angeles. We look forward to learning from the expert panels and meeting other business leaders.

Who will we see on June 9? 🙋‍♀️ See the LA Business Journal page for ticket information.

Our Board of Directors is growing, and we couldn’t be more excited! Please join us in welcoming Michael, Cody, Aksel, and Paul to the EXP family!

🎖️ Michael Kuang is a Navy veteran and CEO and Founder of KPS Security with nearly two decades of experience across the public and private sectors, including roles with The Walt Disney Company, SpaceX, and Snap Inc., supporting high-level security operations and executive protection.

⚖️ Cody Morrison is a public-sector operations and governance professional with experience spanning policy, administration, leadership development, and community engagement. In his current position as the Director of the Parris Academy for Excellence in Law & Leadership and Director of the 1L Professionalism & Civility Program at Southwestern Law School, he leads institution-wide programs focused on student leadership and professional development.

💼 A longtime EXP volunteer and friend, Aksel Palacios, MPA, AICP, currently serves as Director of Port & Capital Projects & Economic Development for Los Angeles City Council District 15, where he oversees major capital projects, waterfront redevelopment, public housing initiatives, and economic development strategies.

🤝 Paul Walsh has 25 years of executive leadership experience at both Fortune 500 and smaller, privately held companies, including deep operational experience in aerospace composites. Retiring from active corporate leadership at the end of 2024, today, he spends his time giving back by supporting several nonprofits both as an advisor and board member, including helping our Management Team with strategy and operationalizing goal setting and ex*****on over the past year.