BURLINGAME, CA – Co-Presidents Kaarin Hardy and Margi Power announced today the official launch of Leadership Council San Mateo County, a novel countywide community leadership development organization, with an exceptional group of business, nonprofit, and government leaders at the helm.
“San Mateo County is an extraordinary county, with extraordinary leadership and extraordinary challenges,” says Margi Power. “We are excited to launch this new organization whose mission is to connect, inspire, and educate established and emerging business, nonprofit, and government leaders.”
Leadership Council SMC is a collaboration between some of the County’s top leaders. The Founding Board and Advisory Council are nonprofit and business executives, CEO’s and elected officials who believe in the Council’s mission and lend their time and expertise to ensure Leadership Council SMC’s impact in our communities.
“I am thrilled to be collaborating with a talented, connected, and diverse group of individuals,” said venture capitalist and board member Sarah Lucas. “The people and the organizations they represent give me confidence that, working together, we can connect existing leaders and identify the next generation of leaders to solve really difficult, enduring problems.”
“The pandemic has underscored the importance of local leadership and cross-sector collaboration,” Margi Power said. “Our goal is to increase and strengthen the network of leaders in our County and equip them with knowledge, tools, and relationships they can then use to tackle community issues. For example, Leadership Council SMC was able to connect leaders in the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department with a global company based in San Mateo County to help secure a new emergency preparedness facility to better serve our communities.”
“Connected, informed and diverse leadership is more essential than ever,” said Kaarin Hardy. “The recent combined challenges of the pandemic, racial inequity, and growing distrust in government have changed our communities and the issues facing San Mateo County. This is the time to support all our current leaders and nurture the next generation of leaders in our communities. San Mateo County is a microcosm of California, with high-wealth, high-poverty, tech, agriculture, you name it. If we can play a role in connecting and building cross-sector relationships to help address major challenges in our County like affordable housing and access to public transportation - those ideas could serve as blueprints for other regions around the state.”
Leadership Council SMC is jumping right in to make an impact in our communities. As part of the launch, they are helping to raise awareness and funds for the County’s COVID relief efforts through the San Mateo County Strong Fund. Leadership Council SMC will be hosting a virtual fundraiser on February 26th at 11am PT with leadership thought leader and #1 New York Times bestselling author, Tom Rath. Rath will be interviewed by Raj Mathai, a twelve-time Emmy winner and lead news anchor for NBC Bay Area Nightly news. Event tickets are free and all donations and sponsorships will benefit the San MateoCounty Strong Fund which supports individuals, families, small businesses, and nonprofits most affected by COVID-19. Companies and individuals interested in sponsoring this event and supporting the Fund should contact the Leadership Council SMC at info@leadershipcouncilsmc.org.
Leadership Council SMC will be launching their flagship Leadership CORPs program this fall, with applications available in March. Leadership CORPS is an experiential community leadership program framed around countywide issues. Class members will engage in shared experiences, events, community engaged projects, strengths-based coaching, and individual learning opportunities.
“This countywide program has the potential to positively transform San Mateo County and help find solutions for the biggest issues facing our communities,” said Kaarin Hardy. “We can’t wait to get started!”
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL SAN MATEO COUNTY ADVISORY COUNCIL
Michael Brownrigg, Councilmember, Burlingame City Council
Michael Claire, Chancellor, San Mateo County Community College District
Rachel Del Monte, District Vice President, YMCA
Quita Highsmith, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Genentech
Jennifer M. Johnson, President and CEO, Franklin Templeton
Dave Pine, Supervisor, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors
Jackie Speier, U.S. Congresswoman
Kate Wilson, Senior Director, Public Affairs, Gilead Sciences
FOUNDING BOARD
Tracy Avelar, Chief of Police, City of Foster City
Noemi Avram, President, Gumbinger Avram Architects
Nirmala Bandrapalli, President, Commission on the Status of Women
Emily Beach, Councilmember, City of Burlingame
Tish Busselle, Assistant Superintendent, San Mateo-Foster City School District (Retired)
Marie Chuang, Councilmember, Town of Hillsborough
John Delaney, Managing Director, SVB Private
Gayl Del Pero, Sales Director, Mary Kay Cosmetics
Georgia Farooq, Executive Director, Thrive Alliance for Nonprofits
Linda Fitzpatrick, Chief People and Communications Officer, Sutro Biopharma, Inc.
Lisa Goldman, City Manager, City of Burlingame
Carole Groom, Supervisor, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors (Retired)
Kaarin Hardy, Co-President, Leadership Council San Mateo County
Joseph Ibe, Chiropractor, True Health Centers
Kate Korsh, Development Consultant
Sarah Lucas, General Partner, Lucas Venture Group
Rita Mancera, Executive Director, Puenta de la Costa Sur
David Mendel, Owner, Kern’s Fine Jewelry
Laurel Miranda, Board Chair, CuriOdyssey
Bryan Neider, CEO, AbilityPath
Kletra Newton, COO, San Mateo County Events Center
Margi Power, Co-President, Leadership Council San Mateo County
Jason Ting, Wealth Management Advisor, Ting & Associates at Merrill Lynch
Gilbert Wai, Trustee, Hillsborough City School District
To learn more about Leadership Council SMC, visit www.leadershipcouncilsmc.org.
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