Special Notice / Hearing: None
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: President Warren Slocum, District 4
Subject: Reappointments to the Commission on the Status of Women
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation for the following reappointments to the Commission on the Status of Women, each for a 4-year term from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2028:
A) Nirmala Bandrapalli, for a second full term; and
B) Rosie Tejada, for a first full term; and
C) LaSaundra Gutter, for a first full term; and
D) Jess Hudson, for a first full term; and
E) Irma Zoepf, for a first full term; and
F) Michelle Stewart, for a first full term.
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BACKGROUND:
The Commission is charged with the responsibility of assessing the needs of women, girls and families in the County. It acts as a resource and makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors annually.
DISCUSSION:
Nirmala Bandrapalli has served on the CSW since her initial partial term began in 2018 and is being recommended for a second full term. Rosie Tejada, Jess Hudson and LaSaundra Gutter have served on the commission since their initial partial 2023 terms began and are each being recommended for a first full term. Irma Zoepf and Michelle Stewart both began partial terms in 2024 and are each being recommended for their first full terms. Approval of each of these six (6) reappointments are for a term of 4-years and take effect January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2028.
Nirmala Bandrapalli is a resident of Burlingame. Prior to her time on the commission, she had the opportunity to serve on the Burlingame City Planning Commission. Protecting her community and being a mother are two things that she is very proud of and she showcases this by also being a continued emergency preparedness organizer for her neighborhood and a participant on the Burlingame Mothers’ Club Board. Nirmala’s professional experience includes 11 years as a manager at Genentech, a biotech company located in South San Francisco. She is a Project Manager consultant and has her master’s degree in Biochemistry from USF.
Rosie Tejada is a resident of Pacifica and has been interested in the Commission on the Status of Women for a few years. Rosie is extremely active in the community and currently serves as a Trustee of the Jefferson Union High School District. She is interested in supporting first & second-generation families, women’s reproductive rights and AAPI hate.
LaSaundra Gutter is recently retired after working for the County of San Mateo Youth Services Center, specifically with girls, for most of her career. She and her family live in Pacifica and she is eager to continue her time on the Commission on the Status of Women.
Jess Hudson is a resident of Millbrae and a life-long resident of San Mateo County. She has 10 years of lived experience as a low-income single mother who has experienced domestic violence. She currently works for the United Way Bay Area as a Policy Specialist and has passion for issues specific to women and families.
Irma Zoepf and her family reside in Redwood City. Irma is the Founder and Principal of The Z Bridge which is a woman-owned, mission-drive consulting firm supporting leaders around the San Francisco Bay Area in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Irma holds a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering degree from the University of Sonora, Mexico and an MBA focused on Business Strategy from Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Spain. Currently a board member of Thrive Alliance, Irma also founded the “Latinas in San Mateo County” and “Women in Silicon Valley Lean In” groups.
Michelle Stewart lives in East Palo Alto with her husband and three daughters. She is the Executive Director of Hope Hangar and currently a Board Member on the Ravenswood Education Foundation. She is passionate about the outcomes of women and girls in her community and is ready to apply her leadership skills to this county-wide commission.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.