#SAMCEDAontheMove - May 2025

The events of May united people, fostering the exchange of ideas and opening the door to new possibilities.

Here are the highlights:

Check out #SAMCEDAonTheMove to see past events and activities. 

KQED and PBS News’s Reframe Festival: Opening Night 

PBS News and KQED proudly presented the Reframe Festival, a dynamic two-day event dedicated to reshaping perspectives and sparking meaningful conversations. 

The festival’s opening night took place at the iconic Sydney Goldstein Theater in San Francisco, setting the stage for thought-provoking discussions. Featured speakers included Kara Swisher (host of “Pivot” and “On with Kara Swisher” podcasts), and Robert Reich (former U.S. Labor Secretary and esteemed Professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley) who shared their unique insights on today’s pressing issues.
 


[ PBS News’ Geoff Bennett and Lisa Desjardin ]

 

Chamber San Mateo County’s 56th Annual Progress Seminar

Nearly 300 people from all over the Bay Area came together to attend Chamber San Mateo County’s 56th Annual Progress Seminar at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country in Santa Rosa.

The Progress Seminar is attended by elected officials, community leaders, and business professionals “...to convene the region’s thought leaders and decision-makers to tackle some of our community’s lasting problems and explore possibilities to harness eminent opportunities to continue to make San Mateo County a great place to work, live and visit.”

SAMCEDA’s President & CEO, Rosanne Foust served as co-chair for the event, alongside fellow co-chairs: County of San Mateo's County Executive Officer, Mike Callagy, San Mateo County Central Labor Council's Executive Secretary-Treasurer's Julie Lind, San Francisco State University’s Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management’s Dr. Jamillah Moore.

Co-Chair Foust kicked off the weekend-long conference on Saturday morning with an opening general session, Under New Management: The New Normal of National Politics, Policies and Personalities featuring:

  • Nicole Taylor, President & CEO, Silicon Valley Community Foundation
  • David Canepa, President of the Board, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors
  • Julie Lind, Executive Officer/Executive Secretary Treasurer, San Mateo County Central Labor Council

Following the opening general session, attendees engaged in breakout sessions that covered a wide range of pressing issues and opportunities. Hospitality and Tourism – An Important Driver of Economic Development in San Mateo County session focused on the role of the tourism industry in regional growth. Mother Nature is Not Happy: A Discussion on Resiliency, Flooding, Fires, and Sea Level Rise session addressed environmental challenges facing the region. The Vulnerabilities of the Healthcare System and Why it Matters session examined gaps and concerns within the healthcare infrastructure. Open for Business: Preparing the County and Cities to Meet the Moment of Better Economic Conditions session explored strategies for economic readiness. Values in Action: How the Public and Private Sectors are Implementing Strategies and Addressing Challenges to Meet their Communities Where They Are session highlighted collaborative efforts to meet evolving community needs.

After the breakout sessions, participants gathered for the Luncheon General Session: Rolling-up Our Sleeves: Evolving the State of California Through Engagement and Action featuring:

  • Brian Brennan, Executive Director, 21st Century Alliance
  • Dr. Jamillah Moore, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, San Francisco State University
  • Rebecca Prozan, Founder, Prozan Strategies
  • Moderator - Mike Callagy, County Executive, County of San Mateo

To close out the Progress Seminar on Sunday morning, Closing General Session - The Driving Forces: Fantastic Motivators and Growing Concerns in Public Life, featured:

  • Jim Hartnett - CEO, HJSR Solutions
  • Malia Cohen - Controller, State of California
  • Lisa Gauthier - Supervisor - District 4, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors
  • [ Moderator ] Rosanne Foust- President & CEO, SAMCEDA
  • [ Moderator ] Don Cecil -  Principal, MC2 Bay Area Public & Government Affairs Consulting


[ Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s Nicole Taylor, County of San Mateo’s President Supervisor David Canepa,
San Mateo County Labor Council’s Julie Lind, SAMCEDA’s Rosanne Foust ] 


[ Health Plan San Mateo’s Patrick Curran, Stanford Health Care’s Jennifer Torai,
Sutter Mills-Peninsula Medical Center’s Darian Harris, and MBailey Advisor’s Mitch Bailey ]


[ College of San Mateo and City of South San Francisco’s Mayor Eddie Flores, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center’s Tim Russell,
Exelixis’ Kalimah Salahuddin, County of San Mateo’s Shireen Malekafzali Taidi ]


[ MC2 Bay Area Public Affairs’ Don Cecil, County of San Mateo’s Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, HJSR Solutions’ Jim Hartnett,
State of California’s Controller Malia Cohen, SAMCEDA’s Rosanne Foust ]

American Leadership Forum’s 2025 Exemplary Leadership Celebration

American Leadership Forum’s 2025 Exemplary Leadership Celebration shines a spotlight on extraordinary leaders and organizations across the Bay Area, recognizing their dedication and meaningful impact on the community.

To learn more, please click here.


[ India Currents’ Vandana Kumar, Palo Alto University’s Dr. Maureen O’Connor, Stanford University School of Medicine and Global Science & Technology's Chris Cheng, Palo Alto University’s Board Member Mary Ann Dewan and SAMCEDA’s Rosanne Foust ]

One Life Counseling Center's Recharge & Reset: A Mind-Body Wellness Lunch & Learn

During Mental Health Awareness Month, One Life Counseling Center hosted Recharge & Reset: A Mind-Body Wellness Lunch & Learn at CZI Community Space in Redwood City. This thoughtful event was designed to help participants unwind, rejuvenate, and restore balance amid the demands and stresses of everyday life.

SAMCEDA’s Rosanne Foust moderated the session and shared insights on the importance of self-care.


[ SAMCEDA’s Rosanne Foust and One Life’s Lisa Tartaglia, Briana McCarthy, Nate Silveira-Pyzik, Suzie Hughes, Sandra Nyholm and Michelle Stulbarg ] 


[ A sound bath demonstration designed to promote deep relaxation and calm ]

San Mateo County API Foundation’s 2025 Heroes Awards Dinner

Held at Domenico Winery in San Carlos, the San Mateo County API Foundation’s 2025 Heroes Awards Dinner honored local changemakers and supported the Foundation’s summer internship program, dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders.


[ San Mateo County API Foundation’s Michelle Droz ]

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Cash Education Tour

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco conducted a cash education tour exclusively for SAMCEDA at their headquarters in San Francisco. 

The program includes a brief Fed 101 presentation with a tour of the cash vault and its operations.


[ SAMCEDA’s Rosanne Foust, DES’ Steve Mincey, Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Gail Nakahira, Sares Regis Group of Northern California’s Ken Busch, Kaiser Permanente’s Shasta Addessi, Colliers’ Rick Knauf, SAMCEDA’s Larisa Ocañada, Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Michele Lew, and Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Jessica Lum ] 

Caltrain’s California Transportation Commissioners Tour at the South San Francisco Train Station

At the South San Francisco Train Station, Caltrain provided California Transportation Commissioners with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour, highlighting the critical infrastructure investments and showcasing the latest upgrades and innovations that enhance connectivity and commuter experience throughout the Bay Area.


[ Caltrain’s Michelle Bouchard ]


[ The tour showcased the critical infrastructure of the station ]

Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition’s Bike to Wherever Days

Bike to Wherever Days is the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition’s reimagined take on the traditional Bike to Work Day, encouraging riders to embrace cycling no matter the destination. 

During the three-day celebration, participants can stop by Energizer Stations to pick up swag bags and enjoy a variety of fun activities.


[ Commute.org’s Emma Shlaes and SAMCEDA’s Rosanne Foust ]

Retirement Celebration for Palo Alto University’s Maureen O’Connor

Palo Alto University hosted a retirement celebration in honor of Dr. Maureen O’Connor, recognizing her years of dedicated leadership, service, and contributions to the university.


[ SAMCEDA’s Rosanne Foust, Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s Nicole Taylor, Palo Alto University’s Maureen O’Connor, Santa Clara and San Benito Counties Building & Construction Trades Council’s David Bini, Palo Alto University Board Member's Mary Ann Dewan ]

County of San Mateo’s Celebrating Our Story: The 169th Anniversary of San Mateo County & Dedication Ceremony for 500 County Center

The County of San Mateo celebrated its 169th anniversary with a reenactment of its founding at the San Mateo County Historical Museum in Redwood City.
Following the reenactment, a procession made its way from the museum to 500 County Center for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an exclusive reception. 


[ Attendees made their way from the
San Mateo County Historical Museum to County Center ]


[ Woodside High School’s marching band greeted
the community with vibrant rhythms and a festive atmosphere ]


[ President Supervisor David Canepa welcomed attendees to the reception ]

Grand Boulevard Initiative’s Task Force Meeting

With renewed momentum, the relaunched Grand Boulevard Initiative (GBI) aims to reimagine the future of mobility along El Camino.

The GBI Task Force meeting included background information, project updates, and stakeholder feedback from government agencies and community leaders.


[ The GBI Task Force Meeting was held at the San Mateo Public Library in San Mateo ]

Bay Area Council’s 2025 Bay Area-Silicon Valley Summit

The Bay Area Council’s 2025 Bay Area–Silicon Valley Summit brought together business leaders from across the region at Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco to discuss critical issues shaping the Bay Area’s future and share insights.

To learn more about the event, please click here.


[ SAMCEDA’s Board of Director and Meta’s Juan Salazar
introduced Governor Gavin Newsom ] 


[ Bay Area Council’s Jim Wunderman and Governor Gavin Newsom ]

San Mateo County Fair’s Opening Day

The San Mateo County Fair ushered in the start of the summer season with fun carnival rides, mouthwatering fair foods, live music, a petting zoo, and many fun activities at the San Mateo County Event Center in San Mateo. 

Guided by its mission to celebrate culture, innovation, and sustainability, this year’s San Mateo County Fair brought that vision to life through cultural showcases, meaningful farmworker recognitions, and a host of engaging events.


[ SAMCEDA’s Rosanne Foust ]

Check out #SAMCEDAonTheMove to see past events and activities.