#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 Professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley) who shared their unique insights on today’s pressing issues.
 


[ PBS News Hour’s 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:

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:

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


[ 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 of 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, California State Controller's Office'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 Rest & Restore: A Community Wellness lunch & Learn

During Mental Health Awareness Month, One Life Counseling Center hosted Rest & Restore: A Community Wellness Lunch & Learn at CZI Community Space in Redwood City.

This thoughtfully designed event aimed to help participants unwind, rejuvenate, and restore balance amid the stresses of daily life through various methods including: self-care practices, recognizing and shifting negative thought patterns, and a sound bath experience.

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


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


[ One Life Counseling Center's Lisa Tartaglia and Nate Silveira-Pyzik demonstrate how a sound bath designed experience promotes deep relaxation ]

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's 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's 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 Commission's members 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 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 ]


[ County of San Mateo's 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 Real.

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 the 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 Member and Meta’s Juan Salazar
introduced Governor Gavin Newsom ] 


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

Stanford Health Care's Groundbreaking Celebration

The community gathered for Stanford Health Care’s dedication ceremony at the Redwood City construction site of its future facility, marking a major step toward expanding access to health care.

As Stanford Medicine’s first all-electric building, the new facility will offer primary care, women’s health, cardiovascular care, and other specialties.

To read more about the event, please click here.


[ Left to Right: SAMCEDA Board Member and Stanford Health Care's Helen Wilmot, Stanford Health Care's Timothy Seay-Morrison, Chamber San Mateo County's Amy Buckmaster, Pal Center's Ivan Martinez, Stanford Health Care's Jennifer Torai, SAMCEDA's Rosanne Foust, Stanford Health Care's Victoria Ramirez, Stanford University's Lucy Wicks, County of San Mateo's Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, City of Redwood City's Mayor Elmer Martinez Sabellos ]
(Photo provided by Stanford Health Care)

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.