Curriculum Committee 2019-2020: Back Row, L to R: Sara Larios Mitchell, Jenelle Masterson, Captain Tracy Avelar, Sandy Council, Louann Carlomagno, Captain Dave Peruzzaro, Chief Doug Davis, Deputy Fire Chief Ray Iverson, Brian Myers, Chief Mike Matteucci, Cheryl Fama, Lisa Goldman, Kathy Kleinbaum. Front Row, L to R: Bryan Neider, Tish Busselle, Gayl Del Pero, Supervisor Carole Groome, Connie Sevier, Brent Tietjen. Not Pictured: Cheryl Angeles, Molly Barton, Kevin Chin, Michelle Durand, Rosanne Foust, John Healy, Joe La Mariana, Police Chief Susan Manheimer, Kimi Narita, Police Chief Joe Pierucci, Sarah Prescott, Yvonne Shiu, and Srija Srinivasan.
CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
Leadership is fortunate to have a committee of community leaders who volunteer their time to plan and host each of our program days. The Curriculum Committee meets monthly to plan each program day and analyze class evaluations. The program is continuously improving based on class feedback each month.
Cheryl Angeles
President & CEO, San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce
Leadership Class of 2014
Business and Economics Day
Cheryl joined the San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce on January 1, 2013 as the President & CEO.
Cheryl is a native Californian and has lived in the Bay Area her entire professional life. She started her career in property/project management in 1986 and has worked for various companies such as Blickman-Turkus Commercial Real Estate, Capital Builders, Public Storage Commercial Property Group and SKS Management where she was a Regional Manager. While working, Cheryl served on a number of boards and committees such as Center for Employment Training, Redwood City Library Foundation, Soroptimist International, San Mateo Rotary, and was a board member with the Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce for 20 years. While a board member at the Redwood City Chamber she served as an Ambassador, Education Committee, Housing & Transportation, Development, and golf committees. She served as Chairman of the Board for the chamber in 2007.
Cheryl has won many awards which include Ambassador of the Year, Athena Business Woman of the Year Award, and was chosen as Person of the Year in 2003 by the Redwood City-San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce.
Tracy Avelar
Chief, Foster City Police Department
Leadership Class of 2019
Police Services and Criminal Justice Day
Chief Tracy Avelar has been a member of the Foster City Police Department since 2002. She was hired as a police officer recruit and attended the College of San Mateo Police Academy. On June 1, 2013, Tracy was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. As a lieutenant, Tracy worked in the Patrol Division and managed the field training program, training, the traffic bureau, and SWAT commander. She was promoted to captain on December 31, 2015, and is currently in charge of the Administrative Division where she is responsible for Communications Bureau, Crime Prevention Bureau, Investigations Bureau, Records Bureau, and Youth Services Bureau.
Tracy grew up in the Bay Area. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management from the Union Institute and a Master’s degree in Homeland Security from the Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security. She is a graduate of the Sherman Block Leadership Institute and LAPD Leadership Academy.
Molly Barton
Retired Assistant Superintendent, San Mateo Foster City School District
Leadership Class of 2015
Education Day
Molly is a lifelong San Mateo County resident and educator. She worked in the public school system as a preschool, elementary and high school teacher for 18 years before moving into school administration. For the last 8 years she has served as the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services in the San Mateo-Foster City School District. The San Mateo-Foster City School District is the largest school district in San Mateo County with 12.500 students and 21 schools. In her role as Assistant Superintendent of Student Services she oversees Enrollment & Registration, Attendance & Welfare, Discipline, Expulsions and Alternative Education Programs, Wellness, Before and After School Care, Preschool Programs, Special Education, Homeless & Foster Care Youth, and Student Records. She is also a 2015 Leadership grad.
Tish Busselle
Independent Education Management Professional and Community Facilitator
Opening/Closing Retreat and Leadership Skill Development
Tish started her professional career in the area of education policy and legislation at the State level in Texas and the Federal level in Washington DC before returning to California where she was the Chief of Governmental and Legislative Affairs for the California Department of Education.
After serving as Assistant Superintendent of Support Services for San Mateo-Foster City School District for many years, Tish worked for 10 years as Special Assistant to the State Administrator for the Vallejo City Unified School District after the State took over the financially bankrupt school district in 2004, Interim Executive Director for the San Mateo Public Library Foundation in 2016, and currently as Special Advisor to the Superintendent of the San Mateo-Foster City School District for Measure X facilities projects and community engagement.
Tish has been recognized for her commitment to the community by Senator Jerry Hill who named her Woman of the Year in 2016 and by other organizations including the National and California PTAs.
Louann Carlomagno
Superintendent, Hillsborough City School District
Education Day
Louann comes from a science background and left the private research sector in 1991 to become a science teacher in the Sonoma Valley Unified School District. For over 29 years, she served in every level of education from classroom teacher in middle and high school to elementary principal to curriculum director and to superintendent in 2010. Louann joined Hillsborough City School District (HCSD) in the fall of 2017 and has fully embraced the schools and community. Since serving as superintendent, Louann has spearheaded numerous improvements and new hires including three new K-5 principals, a middle school principal, and Director of Educational Services. She has brought the community together for input on HCSD goals, initiatives, mission and vision statements; improved the technology infrastructure and is focusing on districtwide facility master planning. Louann is a doctoral candidate with her degree focused on organizational leadership.
Ken Chin
Trustee, San Mateo-Foster City School District
Leadership Class of 2017
Education Day
Ken was appointed to the San Mateo-Foster City School District School Board in March of 2018. He loves serving the community and all of the students, teachers, and parents in the school district.
Ken is also an extremely active community leader and a former civil servant. He serves as Vice-President of the San Mateo City Parks and Recreation Foundation and is a member of the (i) San Mateo County Transportation Authority Citizens Advisory Committee, (ii) County of San Mateo Measure K Sales Tax Oversight Committee, (iii) County of San Mateo Office of Education Safe Routes to School Policy Advisory Committee, and (iv) City of San Mateo General Plan Sub-Committee. From 2006 to 2015, Ken worked for the City of San Mateo as a Project Manager in the Public Works Department and a City Planner in the Community Development Department. Prior to working for the City of San Mateo, Ken worked as a Planner for the City and County of San Francisco Planning Department.
Ken graduated from University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies and Planning. He also graduated from Aragon High School in San Mateo and takes great pride in giving back to the community in which he grew up.
Sandy Council
Neighborhood Improvement and Housing Manager, City of San Mateo
Leadership Class of 2009
Planning, Housing and Transportation Day
Sandy Council has over 30 years of experience in program design, implementation and administration of a wide range of housing and community development programs in San Mateo. These include housing rehabilitation, new construction of affordable units, land acquisition, rent assistance, first time homebuyer assistance and working with non-profit housing service providers. She also has worked extensively on housing policy development and financial analysis, including the negotiation of developer agreements and implementation of City programs to promote affordable housing with private developers in market rate housing and commercial projects.
Doug Davis
Chief of Police, Town of Hillsborough
Leadership Class of 2014
Police Services and Criminal Justice Day
Chief Davis started his career with the Hillsborough Police Department in 1989 and has served in some of the most high profile law enforcement positions within San Mateo County, including Commander of the North Central Regional SWAT Team, Commander of the Terrorism Counter Assault Team, Commander of the Gang Intelligence Unit for San Mateo County, Commander of the Gang Task Force, and Training Officer for the San Mateo County Police Academy.
Doug has trained and worked with many foreign military and law enforcement units in Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and in 2014 led an 8-person counter terrorism unit in Amman Jordan during an extended training operation.
Closer to home over the last decade, Doug dedicated himself to empowering his staff to use innovative and unique methods in preventing crime in partnership with the community. This valued relationship has enabled Hillsborough to be amongst the safest cities in California.
Doug enjoys volunteering with animal conservation groups, including Rhino911. In 2017, Doug spent a month in South Africa working with the Government and NGOs training local law enforcement and conducting anti-poaching operations related to the unlawful killing of African rhinos for the illicit selling of rhino horns.
Gayl Del Pero
Sales Director, Mary Kay Inc.
Leadership Class of 1999
Gayl is a 1999 Leadership graduate. She has served on the Leadership Advisory board for several years, most recently chairing the Selection Committee. She has also served on the curriculum committee co-chairing the Business & Economic day for several years.
Gayl has been the head of the Ambassador group for both the Foster City and San Mateo Chambers. She has served on the Foster City Board of Directors for several years including as Board Chair. She is a member of a chamber sponsored networking group and has served as co-chair.
Gayl has been an Independent contractor with Mary Kay for the past 30 years, building a broad client base, as well as mentoring other consultants nationwide in building their business.
Although Gayl grew up in Oregon, her goal was always to live in the Bay Area, which she has since graduating in 1968 from Oregon State University with a BS in Home Economics. She also has a BA in Anthropology from San Jose State where she computerized archeological data of the Anazi Indians from the four corners area.
Michelle Durand
Chief Communications Officer, San Mateo County
Media and Communications Day
Michelle Durand is the Chief Communications Officer for the County of San Mateo, leading its public affairs, media relations and social media strategy. Prior to joining the County in 2015, Michelle worked in the news industry for nearly two decades. Most recently, she was an award-winning journalist and columnist for more than 13 years with the San Mateo Daily Journal. She holds a bachelor’s degree in politics from the University of California at Santa Cruz.
Cheryl A. Fama, MPA, BSN, RN
Chief Executive Officer, Peninsula Health Care District
Leadership Class of 2009
Health and Healthy Communities Day
Cheryl joined the Peninsula Healthcare District as its chief executive May 1, 2007.
A lifetime resident of the Peninsula Health Care District, Cheryl spent her entire professional life in healthcare, starting as a critical care nurse, retiring from hospitals as the President/CEO of Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco, and now focusing on community-based health and wellness for Peninsula Health Care District.
Cheryl has served on a broad range of community and service organization boards and committees such as the Hospital Council of Northern and Central California, Association of California Healthcare Districts, Donor Network West (Transplant organ procurement), Saint Francis Hospital Foundation, Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame, San Mateo Co. Big Lift Finance Committee, San Mateo Leadership Program, San Mateo Oral Health Coalition, San Mateo Healthy Community Collaborative, and Burlingame Rotary Board and Program Committee.
Cheryl holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, both from the University of San Francisco, and still maintains an active RN license.
Rosanne Foust
President & CEO, SAMCEDA
Business and Economic Development Day
As the President & CEO of the San Mateo County Economic Development Association (SAMCEDA), Rosanne is a leading voice of the business community in San Mateo County and across the Bay Area on issues important to maintaining a strong local and regional economy, attracting and retaining major employers and good jobs, and creating partnerships between business and government to address the critical issues of affordable housing, mobility improvements, and maintaining a good quality of life.
Previously, Rosanne had a 20-year career with Alsace Development International USA, Inc. She also served for 12 years on the City Council in Redwood City, including as Mayor and Vice Mayor, and served on the boards of the San Mateo County Transportation Authority for 10 years, five as Chair and seven on the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority.
Rosanne holds an MA in Public Administration; BA in International Studies and Economics; completed multiple Executive Education programs at Stanford University’s Graduate School fo Business and the Executive Management program at UCLA’s Anderson Graduate School of Management.
Lisa K. Goldman
City Manager, City of Burlingame
Leadership Class of 2014
Government Day
Lisa K. Goldman is the City Manager for the City of Burlingame, a position she’s held since December 2012. Lisa is the fourth City Manager in Burlingame’s history and the first woman to hold the position. Prior to joining the City of Burlingame, Lisa worked for the City of Alameda for just under six years, serving as the Deputy City Manager, the Acting City Manager, and the Assistant City Manager.
Lisa is the former Intergovernmental Relations Manager for the City of Fremont and began her career in local government as an Administrative Intern for her hometown, the City of Palos Verdes Estates. Lisa also spent time on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., as a Legislative Assistant for Representative Henry A. Waxman.
Lisa is a member of the International City/County Management Association, the California City Management Foundation, the League of Women in Government, and Women Leading Government. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Harvard College and her Master of Public Policy from U.C. Berkeley’s Graduate School of Public Policy. In her spare time, she is a Masters swimmer who competes in open water races.
Supervisor Carole Groom
Board of Supervisors, San Mateo County
Government Day
Carole Groom has served on the Board of Supervisors since 2009. She served nine years on the San Mateo City Council, including two terms as Mayor, and on the San Mateo Planning and Public Works Commissions.
Supervisor Groom’s legislative priorities include expanded access to quality preschool and literacy, improved access to healthcare for all, environmental protection, preservation of County’s parks, and growing the local economy. She currently serves on the Bay Area Air Quality Management District Board of Directors. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the San Mateo County Medical Center, the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans), as board liaison to the San Mateo County Event Center, and as Chair of the Transportation Authority. Supervisor Groom also serves on the California Coastal Commission.
Her professional experience includes 18 years as a Vice President of Mills-Peninsula Health Services. She also serves on the Boards of Directors of the San Mateo Police Activities League and Leadership San Mateo. She is an Advisory Board Member of Palcare, a non-profit school and childcare center. Supervisor Groom resides in the city of San Mateo.
John Healy
Fire Chief, City of San Mateo Fire
Fire and Emergency Services Day
John Healy began his career in 1983 as a volunteer firefighter with the Foster City Fire Department. John was hired as a full time firefighter in September of 1984 with the Town of Hillsborough and promoted to Captain in 1995. He joined the Union City Fire Department in May of 2000 where he served as Fire Captain. The San Mateo Fire Department hired John as Battalion Chief on May 23, 2003 and was appointed the position of Deputy Fire Chief on June 1, 2008. On June 8, 2015, Chief Healy was offered and accepted the position of Fire Chief for Belmont, Foster City and San Mateo.
John received his Bachelor of Science Degrees in Fire Administration and Fire Prevention Technology from Cogswell Polytechnical College. John is a certified Chief Officer, CICCS Strike Team Leader, Fire Investigator I, Safety Officer and Division Group Supervisor. Among various committees and projects, he’s been instrumental in serving with the San Mateo County Operations Group and Communications Committee. His relationship with partners such as San Mateo County’s Public Safety Dispatch has been invaluable to the Department.
John grew up in San Mateo with his seven siblings and is committed to serving the community as our next Fire Chief. His historical knowledge of the city and its residents is remarkable. Residing locally in San Carlos with his wife and 3 sons, being involved in fund raisers and public events is an added bonus to the members of Belmont, Foster City & San Mateo Fire Department.
Ray Iverson
Deputy Fire Chief, San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department
Fire and Emergency Services Day
Ray has been a member of the California Fire Service profession since 1991 rising to the rank of Deputy Fire Chief and is currently working for the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department. Ray joined the City of San Mateo Bureau of Fire Protection in 2015 as Deputy Fire Marshal. Ray previously worked as a Fire Service Manager in the private sector. He also has an extensive background in fire service from various departments throughout Northern California, which include Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal for Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District; Fire Marshal with the City of Benicia Fire Department; Fire Inspector with Contra Costa County Fire Protection District & City of Vacaville Fire; and Firefighter with City of Union City, City of Vacaville, and American Canyon Fire Protection District.
Ray holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University and an Associate of Fire Technology degree from Solano Community College. He is also currently enrolled in Columbia Southern university’s Master of Public Administration program. His certifications include Certified Fire Marshal, Certified Fire Plans Examiner, Certified Fire Protection Specialist, Certified Fire Prevention Officer, Certified Fire Training Instructor, Certified Fire Officer, Certified Fire and Explosives investigator and ICC Certified Fire Inspector I and II.
Ray currently serves as President for International Fire service Foundation and Adjunct Faculty for City College of San Francisco. He resides in the city of San Mateo and is a member of the San Mateo Rotary Club.
Kathy Kleinbaum
City Manager, City of San Mateo Fire
Leadership Class of 2017
Government Day
Kathy Kleinbaum is the Assistant City Manager for the City of San Mateo and oversees the programs in the City Manager’s Office including Sustainability, Economic Development, Communications, and Volunteering. In addition, she manages various public policy forays for the City including the redevelopment of City-owned properties, Minimum Wage implementation, and the City’s bike share program.
Kathy has been with the City of San Mateo since 2013 and has worked in local government for over 17 years. Previously, she served as the as the Economic Development Manager for the City of Los Altos and a Redevelopment Project Manager for the City of Oakland.
Kathy is a New York City native but has been a Bay Area convert ever since coming out to the areas as an undergraduate. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Stanford University in Earth Systems and a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a 2017 Leadership graduate.
Joe La Mariana
Executive Director, ReThink Waste
Leadership Class of 2004
Environment Day
Joe La Mariana joined the Rethink Waste staff in August 2016 after serving in local government for ten years as San Mateo County’s Solid Waste and Environmental Services Manager. During this time, Joe was a section manager in the County Manager’s Office of Sustainability and the Department of Public Works. Prior to the solid waste industry, Joe worked for 13 years in corporate communications and marketing. Joe serves on SWANA’s California Legislative Task Force and is a passionate advocate for strong environmental legislation in our state.
With a robust commitment to community, Joe has extensively volunteered with the Rotary Club of Burlingame, the Burlingame and Brisbane Chambers of Commerce, the City of Burlingame’s Park and Rec Commission, several mid-peninsula youth sports leagues and Our Lady of Angels parish.
Joe earned a technical certificate in Solid Waste Management from UC Berkeley; an MBA from Notre Dame de Namur in Belmont; and a BA in Public Relations from California State University, Chico. Joe completed the San Mateo/Burlingame/Foster City/Hillsborough Leadership program in 2004.
Susan Manheimer
Chief of Police, City of San Mateo
Leadership Class of 2001
Police Services and Criminal Justice Day
Before being named the “Top Cop” in San Mateo, Chief Manheimer served almost 17 years with the San Francisco Police Department. Chief Manheimer was recruited by the City of San Mateo and appointed as their Chief of Police in May of 2000, where she continues her commitment to highly effective Crime Control through Community Policing Partnerships and engagement with public and private partnerships.
Now one of the senior tenured chiefs in the state, and a leader and past president of the California Police Chiefs Association and the San Mateo County Police Chiefs and Sheriff’s Association, Manheimer is focused on building a leading-edge policing agency of excellence that strikes at the root of neighborhood safety and quality of life through engagement between the police and the communities they serve. Manheimer received her BA in Business Management from Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University. Chief Manheimer resides in San Mateo County and has two adult children, Sarah, an attorney, and Jesse, a Captain in the US Marine Corps. Together with her grandchildren they enjoy skiing, hiking, rowing, and service to their community through Rotary and other service groups.
Jenelle Masterson, CEM
Emergency Services Manager, San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department, Office of Emergency Services
Leadership Class of 2017
Fire and Emergency Services Day
Jenelle has been a member of the public safety community since 2001 and holds a Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. She worked with several EMS agencies in Virginia as an Emergency Medical Technician, held positions as a Communications Officer and Sheriff’s dispatcher, served as an American Red Cross volunteer, and is a nationally credentialed Certified Emergency Manager. Upon relocating to the Bay Area in January 2011, Jenelle worked with the City of Mountain View Office of Emergency Services in the development of emergency plans, training, and exercises. In her current role as San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department’s Emergency Services Manager, she is responsible for all phases of emergency management, including preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.
In addition to guiding the SMCFD OES team in emergency plan development, training, exercises, public education, and response to local emergencies, she serves as a liaison to county, state, and nonprofit partners. Jenelle held various Executive Board positions for the San Mateo County Emergency Managers Association and is an active contributor to various countywide task groups focusing on training and exercises, mass care and sheltering, planning, and public education and outreach. She has also served on statewide emergency management committees and has responded as a mutual aid resource to significant fire incidents, such as the Valley Fire in 2015.
Jenelle’s approach to emergency management is one of inclusiveness; engaging with public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders to identify creative ways that organizational strengths and resources can build a more resilient community before, during, and after a disaster.
Mike Matteucci
Chief of Police, City of Burlingame
Leadership Class of 2013
Police Services and Criminal Justice Day
Mike was hired as a Police Officer for the City of Burlingame in 1991 where he has remained for his entire career. During his career, however, he has worked in a variety of assignments including field training officer, inspector, and SWAT team member. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2000, as Captain in 2004, then Chief in 2018. During his 14-year tenure as a Captain, he oversaw all three major divisions at the Burlingame Police Department, including Operations, Investigations, and Administrative Services. Mike earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from San Jose State University, a Master’s degree in Emergency Services Administration from Cal State Long Beach, and attended the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Sara Larios Mitchell, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer, StarVista
Leadership Class of 2015
Human Services Day
Sara Larios Mitchell was appointed CEO of StarVista in October 2012, on the retirement of Michael Garb. She has a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Golden Gate University, and a Doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. With over 15 years of experience in clinical services, including early childhood, domestic violence, trauma, youth development, family support and counseling, Sara is strongly committed to the children, families and individuals of our diverse community, and to strengthening opportunities for everyone to transform their lives.
Brian Myers
President, California Coastal Properties
Business and Economic Development Day
A graduate of Stanford University in Economics, Brian has extensive experience in the real estate industry with over 30 years of experience. He is a partner in California Coastal Properties, LLC, a residential mixed-use real estate development company focused on transit oriented development opportunities in the prime coastal markets of California. Brian is also the owner and founder of Nuquest Ventures, LLC, an early stage technology company investor and strategic advisor to corporations in real estate. Nuquest has provided strategic planning and advisory services to companies such as Irvine Company, Hanson Aggregates, Five Point Holdings, Lennar, and SmartStory Technologies.
Over the past two decades, Brian has been a prominent real estate advisor and development partner to many government agencies and corporations across the country. He has managed the entitlement and development of master planned communities and urban infill projects with over 50,000 residential units, 30M square feet of commercial/office/retail and public facilities such as professional sports stadiums, city halls, community centers, and large-scale parks. Brian has provided value enhancing advisory services, strategic advice, and organizational development tools to implement large-scale development activity. He is a frequent speaker on the topic of structuring public/private partnerships, sustainable development principles and innovation in the real estate industry as a featured speaker for ULI, NAID, NAIOP, ICSC, CAL-CMA, ICSC and CoreNet.
Kimi Narita
Natural Resources Defense Council
Leadership Class of 2018
Board Liaison
Kimi is a 2018 Leadership graduate and resident of the City of San Mateo. For the last six years Kimi has been an advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a leading international environmental organization. She is currently the Deputy Director of the City Energy Project, a collaboration between NRDC and the Institute for Market Transformation that advances policies and programs that cut energy waste in large buildings. Additionally, Kimi is a leader of the new American Cities Climate Challenge a major new Bloomberg Philanthropies effort to expedite progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in cities while growing local economies. She is also an adjunct lecturer at Stanford Law School teaching students about local law and sustainability.
Prior to joining NRDC, Kimi clerked for Justice Craig Stowers of the Alaska Supreme Court. She also worked at Stanford University’s Center for Ocean Solutions, crafting offshore oil drilling policy and regulatory recommendations for the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Oil Drilling. Kimi started her professional career at Google in Mountain View where she helped found GoogleServe, an initiative to empower Google employees to volunteer in their communities. She holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropological sciences and a master’s degree in environment and resources from Stanford University. She earned her J.D. from Stanford Law School.
Bryan Neider
Chief Executive Officer, Gatepath
Human Services Day
Bryan Neider, CEO, joined Gatepath after serving on the Board of Directors for nearly 15 years. As a Board Member, Bryan served as Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair and became a strong advocate for Gatepath’s Employment Services.
Prior to joining Gatepath, Bryan was a Senior Vice President within Electronic Arts’ (EA) Global Publishing and Marketing organization. Bryan spent over 25 years with EA and oversaw initiatives aimed at improving operating efficiency, product quality, business innovation and overall business performance. During his tenure at EA he served in a number of different roles, including managing EA’s global business development efforts, managing EA Partners, corporate finance, CFO and COO for EA.com, CFO of Worldwide Studios, COO for EA’s global development organization and most recently as head of EA’s Global Operations team.
Bryan earned his BA Degree in History from Santa Clara University and his MBA from CSU, East Bay. Bryan is also a Certified Public Accountant and the Founder of Climb4aCure, a nonprofit supporting diabetes education and outreach. Bryan is an active volunteer at both of his alma maters, serves on the boards of three technology start-ups and he is an advisor to a venture capital fund in the Silicon Valley.
Bryan lives in Menlo Park with his wife and they have four children. Bryan enjoys mountain climbing and backpacking and is looking forward to giving back to the community.
Dave Peruzzaro
Captain of Police, City of San Mateo
Leadership Class of 2016
Police Services and Criminal Justice Day
Dave was hired as a Police Officer with the City of San Mateo in January 1997. He was born and raised in San Mateo, attended Serra High School and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing Management from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo before earning a Master’s in Public Administration from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont.
During the course of his career Dave has worked as a Police Officer, Detective in the Special Investigations Bureau, Special Agent with the San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force, Detective in the Criminal Investigations Bureau, Field Operations Sergeant, Neighborhood Response Team Sergeant, Criminal Investigations Bureau Sergeant, Field Operations Lieutenant, Dispatch Services Lieutenant, Support Services Captain and is currently the Captain of Field Operations.
Dave is the past president of the San Mateo County Commander’s Group and is the Team Commander for the North Central Regional S.W.A.T. Team. He is a 2016 Leadership graduate, a 2010 Supervisory Leadership Institute (SLI) graduate, and a 2014 graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP). Dave is a recipient of the 2008 Governor’s Public Safety Medal of Valor and the proud father of two teenage children, Kaitlyn and Tyler.
Joe Pierucci
Chief of Police, City of Foster City
Leadership Class of 2010
Police Services and Criminal Justice Day
Joe was appointed to Chief of Police in 2016. Joe Pierucci has 29 years of law enforcement experience, serving the last seven years of that with the Foster City Police Department. After growing up in Foster City, Joe began his career with the San Mateo Police Department in 1986 when he was hired as a Police Officer. During his time with San Mateo PD, Pierucci worked as a detective, field training officer, and school resource officer before being promoted to Patrol Sergeant. He went on to serve as a Community Services Sergeant overseeing the San Mateo PD Police Athletic League program, Neighborhood Watch, crime prevention and community policing programs.
In 2009, Pierucci returned to his hometown of Foster City, being appointed to the rank of Police Lieutenant, tasked with direct supervision of patrol teams. In 2012, Pierucci was promoted to the rank of Police Captain and spent tours managing both the Field Operations and Administrative functions of the department. He recently completed a term as President of the San Mateo County Law Enforcement Commanders Association. Pierucci has a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management.
Pierucci is a member of the Foster City Lions Club. Over the years he has volunteered his time with both the Foster City Little League and Foster City Youth Softball associations. He is the proud father of a 21 year old son (Mike) and an 18 year old daughter (Tori), who also grew up in Foster City.
Sarah Prescott
Waste Zero Specialist, Recology of San Mateo County
Leadership Class of 2012
Environment Day
Sarah Prescott was born and raised on the Peninsula and has volunteered for numerous local non- profit organizations throughout the County. In 2006, she joined the Recology team. She began with Recology San Bruno and came on board with Recology San Mateo County in 2010. Upon joining the Recology San Mateo County team, she began co-chairing their Coats for Kids program which collects coats from the 12 local jurisdictions in which the company serves and are donated to local non-profit organizations. She currently represents Recology San Mateo County on the company wide Ownership Culture Committee promoting employee ownership education.
She previously served as Vice Chair on the Burlingame Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and worked closely with Membership Development. As a graduate of the Leadership Program in 2012, she has continued to stay involved in the program as Co-chair of Environmental Day.
Connie Sevier
Community Volunteer
Leadership Class of 1999
Environment Day
Connie Sevier has been an active community volunteer, serving in various school parent group positions and the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury. She is past president of the San Mateo County Parks Foundation and the current chair of the CuriOdyssey Board of Directors, having volunteered in various positions there over 46 years. A Leadership graduate, she has served on the Leadership Board of Directors and Curriculum Committee, chairing Environment Day since 1999. A native of Colorado, she graduated from Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland and is a resident of San Mateo.
Yvonne P. Shiu
Principal, San Mateo High School
Education Day
Yvonne Shiu has served as Principal of San Mateo High School since 2007. She came to the San Mateo Union High School District in 1996 as an ELD and Spanish teacher at San Mateo High School.
Ms. Shiu began her career as an ESL teacher at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles. When she first arrived in the Bay Area, she started as a long-term substitute, teaching bilingual Social Studies and math at Everett Middle School in San Francisco. She then taught for two years at Mission High School in San Francisco before joining the Bearcat Family.
Ms. Shiu earned her BA, Spanish from The Pennsylvania State University and later earned her MA, Teacher Education and her Single Subject Teaching Credential from the University of Los Angeles, and finally her MEd, Education Administration from the San Francisco State University.
Srija Srinivasan
Deputy Chief, San Mateo County Health System
Health Care and Healthy Communities Day
Srija Srinivasan serves as the Deputy Chief of the San Mateo County Health System, with oversight of several operating divisions aimed at creating longer and better lives for San Mateo County residents by protecting the public’s health and promoting the healthiest start and best trajectory possible. These include policy and primary prevention efforts, early intervention efforts targeting pregnant women and young children, and leadership of the County’s local coverage programs for those ineligible for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Srija oversees a 300-person team and a $75 million budget.
Under Srija’s leadership, San Mateo County has accomplished significant successes in reducing the number of uninsured residents, piloting innovative approaches to providing the right service at the right time and place, reducing the burden of persistent health disparities and partnering with a broad range of stakeholders to create healthier, more equitable communities.
Srija joined the County Health System executive team eleven years ago to direct a newly forming Policy and Planning unit which was launched to address strategic health issues in partnership with the community. Srija has more than twenty years of experience in health policy and community health issues, including several senior roles in the public, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors. She received both her Bachelor’s (Human Biology) and MBA degrees from Stanford University.
Brent Tietjen
Government and Community Relations Manager, SamTrans/Caltrain/Transportation Authority
Leadership Class of 2015
Planning, Housing and Transportation Day
Brent Tietjen is the Government and Community Relations Officer for the San Mateo County Transit District which is the administrative body for the public transit and transportation programs in San Mateo County: SamTrans bus service, Caltrain commuter rail and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority. In this role, Brent leads the public outreach efforts for various transportation capital projects and planning efforts including the Caltrain Electrification Project. Prior to joining the District, Brent worked with various nonprofit organizations, including United Way of the Bay Area. Brent holds a Masters of Business Administration from Old Dominion University in Virginia.