Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Neal I. Taniguchi, Court Executive Officer
Subject: Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commission
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation for the following appointment and reappointments to the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commission:
A) Reappointment of Whitney Genevro for a first full term ending December 31, 2028; and
B) Reappointment of Kenneth Williams for a first full term ending December 31, 2028; and
C) Appointment of Niklas Klemmer for an initial partial term ending December 31, 2025.
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BACKGROUND:
For the efficient and effective statutory compliance of the review of juvenile operations in this county, the Court and the Board have agreed that the appointees by the Court to the Juvenile Justice Commission are appointed concurrently by the Board of Supervisors to the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commission. Historically, the County’s practice has been to have candidates for Commission membership identified by the County or by the Commission membership. The Court then reviews, appoints and recommends concurrent appointment by the Board of Supervisors.
DISCUSSION:
With the recommendation of the Juvenile Presiding Judge, Susan Irene Etezadi, Presiding Judge Elizabeth K. Lee does not object to and recommends to the County of San Mateo the reappointments of Whitney Genevro and Kenneth Williams, as well as the appointment of Niklas Klemmer to the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commission for the term prescribed by law.
This is a request that the Board of Supervisors reappoint Whitney Genevro and Kenneth Williams to the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commission. Upon approval, these reappointments are effective January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2028. It is also requested that the Board of Supervisor appoint Niklas Klemmer to the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commission for a partial term ending December 31, 2025.
Whitney Genevro was initially appointed to the JJDPC in April 2023. Kenneth Williams was initially appointed to an existing partial term in June 2024. Upon approval, Whitney and Kenneth will be serving their first full terms on the JJDPC, and Niklas Klemmer will be serving an existing partial term on a seat formery held by Steve Grieb.
Whitney Genevro is a proud San Mateo County native and a resident of the Belle Haven neighborhood in Menlo Park. She holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University East Bay and a Juris Doctor from Golden Gate University School of Law. Currently, she works as a conflicts attorney at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Palo Alto. Prior to her legal career, Whitney dedicated a decade to Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, serving as a program manager and grant writer. Whitney’s commitment to community service is a cornerstone of her life. Instilled with a strong volunteer ethic from a young age, she became a youth leader at 17 and continues to support her community through various initiatives. She volunteers with organizations such as Project WeHOPE, Bayshore Christian Ministries, and Fresh Lifelines for Youth, where she facilitates legal education programs in Santa Clara County. Since joining the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commission in April 2023, Whitney has focused on advancing restorative justice practices in high schools across the county, fostering collaboration as a liaison to the Santa Clara Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commission, and leading impactful projects to support foster youth.
Kenneth Williams, a lifelong resident of San Mateo County, has been a key figure in the East Palo Alto community for the past 40 years. He has devoted his life to guiding and supporting some of the San Mateo County’s most vulnerable and historically underserved youth. Kenneth is a tireless advocate for youth and families. For the past decade, he has volunteered with Live in Peace, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth to reclaim their vision for the future. At Live in Peace, Kenneth oversees the Boys to Men program, which targets at-risk middle and high school students. Kenneth strives to provide a positive atmosphere that supports young people as they develop life skills such as problem-solving, effective communication, active listening, critical thinking, and decision making. Kenneth also serves as a mentor, life coach, and advocate for justice-involved youth in both our juvenile hall and community. Additionally, he works with the Youth Leadership Team and acts as a youth and family liaison with our local schools and other community-based organizations and programs. Kenneth is dedicated to helping all youth achieve their full potential so they can lead purposeful, productive, and prosperous lives.
Niklas Klemmer, a Menlo Park resident, and student at Menlo-Atherton High School, is deeply committed to law, political advocacy, and public service. He currently interns with Senator Josh Becker and Stanford’s Deliberative Democracy Lab, where he contributes to research on policymaking and deliberative processes. An active member of the National Honor Society, Niklas also participates in debate and Model United Nations. He has attended Yale’s prestigious Young Global Scholars program, further honing his understanding of global issues and leadership. Beyond academics, Niklas dedicates his time to community service. He volunteers with the Ecumenical Hunger Program in East Palo Alto and serves as Director of Outreach for Justice Bound, a youth-led nonprofit in San Mateo County focused on public policy and criminal justice reform. Niklas is excited to bring his passion for criminal justice reform and public service to the San Mateo County Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Commission. He aims to promote meaningful change and contribute to a more equitable society.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.