The Forbes School of Business at Ashford University and the Downtown San Diego Partnership teamed up to sponsor an innovation breakfast panel on Wednesday, June 15, at the DiamondView Towers in San Diego. The panel was part of San Diego Startup Week and featured Marketing Zen Group founder and CEO Shama Hyder as the guest speaker.

The event kicked off with introductions from Downtown San Diego Partnership President and CEO Kris Michell and sponsor remarks from Ashford University President Dr. Craig Swenson.

Dubbed the “Zen Master of Marketing” by Entrepreneur Magazine and the “Millennial Master of the Universe” by Fast Company, Hyder talked about the impact of social media on culture, economics, politics, and business. As the CEO of Marketing Zen Group, an integrated online marketing and digital PR firm, Hyder has led the organization through impressive growth since it was founded in 2009. She is a visionary strategist for the digital age and was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list of movers and shakers for 2015.

San Diego Startup Week is an annual event that brings together entrepreneurs to share progress, exchange resources, and celebrate the thriving innovation community of San Diego. For more information on San Diego Startup Week, visit http://sandiegostartupweek.com/.

About Ashford University

Where heritage meets innovation – that’s Ashford University. At Ashford, students discover relevant degree programs, innovative technology, and cherished tradition. Ashford offers associates, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs online, allowing students to balance life by providing the flexibility to do school work anywhere, anytime. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu, www.facebook.com/ashforduniversity, www.twitter.com/AshfordU, or call Marianne Perez, Media Relations Manager, at 858.513.9240 x11636.

About the Downtown San Diego Partnership

The Downtown San Diego Partnership is a non-profit, member-based organization that serves as the leading advocate for the revitalization and economic health of Downtown San Diego. To learn more about the Downtown Partnership, visit www.downtownsandiego.org.