Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: President Noelia Corzo, District 2
Subject: Reappointments to the Commission on Disabilities
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation for reappointments of members to the Commission on Disabilities, each for a term ending June 30, 2029:
A) Angela Piazza representing Physical Disabilities Community, for a fourth/final term; and
B) Matthew Cadigan Hearn, representing At-Large Community, for a fourth/final term; and
C) Timothy Ponti, representing At-Large Community, for a first full term; and
D) Gurpreet Padam, representing At-Large Community, for a first full term and
E) Michael Donovan, representing Other Disabilities Community, for a first full term; and
F) Alexandra Seeber; representing Other Disabilities Community, for a first full term; and
G) Maya Ong Escudero, representing Community At-Large, for a first full term; and
H) Florence Wong, representing Developmental Disabilities Community, for a third term.
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BACKGROUND:
The Commission on Disabilities (CoD) is an advisory body to the Board of Supervisors, providing opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in, and influence the development of, public policy that promotes the full integration of people with disabilities in their communities. Members of the Commission are dedicated and committed to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities throughout San Mateo County.
DISCUSSION:
The above-recommended reappointments are each for a three-year term effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029.
Angela Piazza and Matthew Cadigan Hearn were appointed to the commission in March 2017 and are each being recommended to serve a fourth and final term. Timothy Ponti and Gurpreet Padam began serving on the CoD in November 2023 for an initial partial term and are each being recommended for reappointment to serve their first full terms.
Michael Donovan, Alexandra Seeber, and Maya Ong Escudero are each being recommended for reappointment to a first full term since their initial partial terms began in 2025. Florence Wong has served on the commission since her initial partial term began in January 2019 and is being recommended for a third full term.
Angela Piazza is honored to continue her work with the Commission on Disabilities for San Mateo County. She continues to advocate for the disabled community through the CoD and her work as State Coordinator for Ms. Wheelchair California Leadership Institute and as Secretary for Ms. Wheelchair America. She loves educating and empowering others to be an advocate. She especially likes educating San Mateo County residents about the needs of the disabled community.
Matthew Cadigan Hearn currently serves as Co-Vice President of the Commission and Chair of the ADA Compliance Committee. He is working towards a Psychology degree, with possibly a secondary degree in social anthropology. He looks forward to continuing to provide a voice and input for the people with disabilities which have been historically underserved.
Timothy Ponti is a lifelong resident of Broadmoor and has been involved with disability activism since 2005. Tim holds a B.A. in Political Science from UC Berkeley and a Master of City Planning degree from the University of Pennsylvania. His work has focused on housing development, affordable housing finance, and public programs serving aging and disabled communities.
Gurpreet Padam is an MD with a private practice that is based on in-home care of her patients. She has traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for the Americans with Disabilities Act. Gurpreet has also set up a free clinic at her place of worship. She lives in San Carlos.
Michael Donovan recently became disabled and has a unique perspective of the disconnect between the wealth of services offered and the extreme restrictions imposed. After serving as a litigator in New York, Michael relocated to San Mateo County where he served as an in-house counsel for several start-ups. Michael is passionate about inclusion and improving access to programs and services in the community.
Alexandra (Alex) Seeber lives in San Carlos with her husband and 3 children. Her eldest daughter, Maya, has Rett Syndrome, and inspires Alex to be an advocate in the world of disability and beyond. Her experience teaching high school helps Alex advocate, educate and promote inclusion.
Maya Ong Escudero spent her professional career teaching students with disabilities and working with parents and teachers. Her goal is to be active in finding, managing, and disseminating resources for the benefit of all of San Mateo County’s residents.
Florence Wong was born and raised in the Bay Area and has been a resident of Burlingame since 2003. Parenting a child with disabilities inspired her to become a staunch advocate for the disabled community. She has served on the San Mateo County Commission on Disabilities since 2019 and on the State Council on Developmental Disabilities Bay Area Regional Advisory Committee since 2021. She served on the Burlingame School District governing board from 2015 to 2024. She obtained her BA in Psychology from UC Berkeley and PhD in Clinical Psychology from St. John’s University, NY. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Davis Medical Center and has been a licensed psychologist since 2001. She volunteers for the American Red Cross NCCR Bay Area Chapter in the areas of Disaster Mental Health and Recovery Services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.