____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting:
Disposition:
Special Meeting
Agenda Item No: SM 1.a
Meeting Date: June 23, 2025
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Department: City Clerk
Prepared by: Lindsay Lara, City Clerk City Manager Approval: ____ TOPIC: PLANNING COMMISSION INTERVIEWS
SUBJECT: INTERVIEW APPLICANTS AND MAKE ONE APPOINTMENT TO FILL
ONE UNEXPIRED FOUR-YEAR TERM THROUGH THE END OF
OCTOBER 2027 ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION DUE TO THE
RESIGNATION OF DANIELLE O’LEARY
RECOMMENDATION:
Interview the following applicants and make an appointment to fill one unexpired fouryear term through the end of October 2027 on the Planning Commission due to the resignation of Danielle O’Leary.
Name
Adam Spiegel
Arandu Alvarez
Pooja Rawat
Susie Berg
BACKGROUND:
The Planning Commission consists of community volunteers appointed by the City Council to make decisions or advise the Council on land use and property development issues. The Commission assures that new development is consistent with the City’s longrange General Plan, State laws, and other public policies that advance the interests of our community. Meetings are held on the second & fourth Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
The term of Danielle O’Leary was set to expire at the end of October 2027; however, she was unable to complete her term.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
ANALYSIS:
The City Clerk’s Office opened recruitment for all Boards, Commissions, and Committees (BCCs), including the Planning Commission. A total of eleven eligible applications were received for the Planning Commission vacancy. Two applicants later withdrew, leaving nine remaining candidates. Due to the number of applicants, the City Clerk’s Office referred the applications to the City Council Liaison for review. The Liaison selected four (4) finalists to advance to the interview stage. Staff recommends that the City Council interview these four candidates and appoint one to the Planning Commission to serve a term ending in October 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
The recruitment for the Planning Commission was advertised through mass email notification, the City website, social media platforms, and the Marin IJ, and it was physically posted at City facilities.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Four (4) Applications
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Adam Spiegel
Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado CA
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94901
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive actualmente?
District 3/Eastern / Distrito 3/Este
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
Since 2019
Q4
Business Information
Company Freebrook Imports
Address 3000 Dutton Ave
City/Town Santa Rosa
ZIP/Postal Code 95407
#117
COMPLETE
Collector: Web Link 1 (Web Link)
Started: Monday, April 28, 2025 9:51:01 PM
Last Modified: Monday, April 28, 2025 10:09:38 PM
Time Spent: 00:18:37
IP Address: 76.253.13.100
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
City Council Agenda
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría aplicar?
Park and Recreation Commission,
Planning Commission
Q18
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they? Yes, I actively participate in civic life through community events, supporting local schools, and staying engaged with city initiatives that affect my neighborhood in Glenwood.
Q19
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
None
Q20
Education:
I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Q21
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission? Would love to discuss both and the time commitments associated with both Q22
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
None
Q23
Upload your resume.
Resume%20Adam%20Public%20Service.pdf (69KB)
Adam Spiegel
San Rafael, CA ·
Objective
Community-focused leader with a background in business, civic engagement, and public policy seeking to contribute meaningfully to the City of San Rafael through service and leadership.
Lifelong Bay Area resident passionate about responsible development, education, and public transparency.
Education
Dickinson College – Carlisle, PA
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Professional Experience
Founder & CEO
Freebrook Imports – Santa Rosa, CA
Feb 2025 – Present
● Lead a mission-driven spirits import and distribution company that supports independent brands and local economies.
● Focus on ethical growth, community partnerships, and small business empowerment. ● Coordinate logistics, marketing, and compliance for regional and national accounts.
Founder & Master Distiller
Corning & Company – Rohnert Park, CA
2014 – 2024
● Created and scaled a spirits co-packing and warehousing company, supporting dozens of small producers and new brand launches.
● Managed operations, licensing, compliance, and team leadership across multiple departments.
● Regularly worked with city and county agencies on business permitting, fire/code compliance, and economic development initiatives.
Craft Advisory Council Member
Distilled Spirits Council of the United States
Feb 2025 – Present
● Provide national policy and strategy guidance for supporting small producers in the regulated spirits industry.
● Advocate for equitable regulation and access for craft distilleries.
Civic Involvement & Community Engagement
● Active Glenwood neighborhood resident since 2019; support and volunteer in local school events and community meetings.
● Interested in long-term civic participation and running for City Council to give back to the city.
● Advocate for local economic development and thoughtful planning in San Rafael.
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Arandu Alvarez
Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado CA
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94901
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive actualmente?
District 1/Southern / Distrito 1/Sur
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
8 years
Q4
Business Information
Company Canal Alliance
Address 91 Larkspur Street
City/Town San Rafael
ZIP/Postal Code 94901
#108
COMPLETE
Collector: Web Link 1 (Web Link)
Started: Friday, March 14, 2025 10:00:02 AM
Last Modified: Friday, March 14, 2025 10:33:57 AM
Time Spent: 00:33:55
IP Address: 73.70.0.241
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
Social Media
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría aplicar?
Planning Commission,
Police Advisory & Accountability Committee
Q18
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they? I am a Latino, and my family, friends, and neighbors live in the Canal, which is why we are consistently involved in civic activities that impact our community. For instance, we advocate for affordable housing, health, social services, immigration matters, education, multilingual and multicultural resources, and accessible services, as well as equity and access for our community, which is located in one of the underserved areas of Marin County. Additionally, I am actively engaged with Voces del Canal, other community groups, leaders, and collaborate with organizations whose missions are to support Latinos and residents of District 1.
Q19
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
I have been a staff member at Canal Alliance for 5 years, and I collaborate with Voces del Canal. I am a leader of the Community Health Workers in the Canal, a collaborator with the Multicultural Center of Marin, an ambassador for emergency alerts and prevention, and an ally for health initiatives. I also collaborate with Community Action Marin, Marin County HHS, Marin Community Clinic, Marin Transit, San Francisco Marin Food Bank, Marin County Social Services department, the City of San Rafael, the Police Department, the Fire Department, UCSF, Dominican University, NAMI Marin, CDSS, CFS, CPS, OCPSC, Marin County office of Equity, PB committee, and others.
Q20
Education:
-Master of Urban Planning, Territory, Society and Environment. -Bachelor of Architecture
-Minor Integral Pedagogical Urbanism
-Minor Government and Public Work
-Design and Community Habitat
-Technology and Administration
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
3 / 3
Q21
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission? I live in San Rafael because I am an immigrant, and my family, friends, and neighbors live here in the Canal. I speak Spanish, Portuguese, and English, and I want to be the voice that represents my community.
I am deeply committed to advocating for social justice and fostering equity for all. I believe that every individual deserves the opportunity to live in a better, fairer, and more just environment—especially those from marginalized communities who are too often overlooked. By championing equitable policies and promoting inclusive awareness, I am dedicated to dismantling systems of inequality and creating supportive, inclusive social environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
My mission is to inspire systemic change that prioritizes both individual well-being and collective societal equity, paving the way for a brighter, more just, and equitable future for all.
Q22
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
NA
Q23
Upload your resume.
Arandu%20Resume.pdf (214.5KB)
ARANDU
ALVAREZ
C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T
P L A N N E R & P R O J E C T M A N A G E R
San Rafael, CA
linkedin.com/in/arandualvarez
S K I L L S
P R O F I L E
I am deeply committed to advocating for social justice and fostering equity for all. I believe that every individual deserves the opportunity to live in a better, fairer, and more just environment—especially those from marginalized
communities who are too often overlooked. By
championing equitable policies and promoting inclusive
awareness, I am dedicated to dismantling systems of
inequality and creating supportive, inclusive social
environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
My mission is to inspire systemic change that prioritizes both individual well-being and collective societal equity, paving the way for a brighter, more just, and equitable future for all.
E D U C A T I O N
MASTER OF URBAN PLANNING,
TERRITORY, SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT
University of Malaga. Europe
Sustainable Architecture
Project Management
Superior Institute Technology
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
L A N G U A G E S
Leadership
Project Management
Community Organizing
Problem Solving
Advocacy
Community Engagement
Public Relations
Budgeting
Teamwork
Emotional Intelligence
Cultural Competence
Effective Communication
Critical Thinking
Risk Management
MINORS
Integral Pedagogical Urbanism
Government and Public Work
Design and Community Habitat
University Pontificia Bolivariana
Medellin, Colombia
Specialty in Technology and
Administration.
EMsad 02 ERS CC
BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE
English
Spanish
Portuguese
C E R T I F I C A T I O N S
✓ SALESFORCE. Non-Profit Data Technology Strategist-Make Tech Work For You. ✓ Program Development & Evaluation. CVNL. Center of Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership. ✓ Management Essentials. CVNL. Center of Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership. ✓ Marin LEO. Impact Launch. Strategy for Equitable & Sustainable Change. ✓ Community Engagement. El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center. ✓ HIPAA. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ✓ California Child Abuse & Neglect RT. California Department of Social Services. ✓ NAMI Facilitator. Family Support Group. Facilitator Training. ✓ Conflict Resolution with Power and Privilege in Mind. Compass Point Non-Profit Services. ✓ De-escalation & Crisis Intervention. Sonja Lenz-Rashid Trauma and Mental Health Expert. ✓ International Innovation. International Science, Culture, Art, Technology, and Sport. ✓ New Society & Urbanism. Puerto Vallarta Boards Architects Academy. ✓ CITI. Human Subjects Research. Good Clinical Practice. Clinical Trial Billing Compliance. ✓ FDA. International research. University of California, San Francisco. ✓ Mental Health First AID. National Council for Mental Wellbeing. ✓ Medical and CalFresh. Marin County HHS.
✓ Intake Interview & Quality Review. VITA/TCE Certification. IRS ✓ Construction Skills. College of Marin.
✓ Phishing Course & Cybersecurity. PCS Technology
✓ Case Investigator. CDPH, UCSF, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. ✓ COVID-19 Contact Tracing. Johns Hopkins University.
✓ PR & Stop the Bleed. American Red Cross
✓ PAXLOVID Treatment. CDPH California Department of Public Health. ✓ Homeownership. Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California HUD Approved Housing Consulting Agency.
T E C H N I C A L S K I L L S
• Operating Systems: Windows and OSX
• Microsoft Office; Outlook, Excel, Word, Power Point, OneNote, SharePoint, Planner, OneDrive, Teams, To Do, and Microsoft Forms.
• Google Apps: Drive, Docs, Slides, Sheets, Mail, Meet, Search, Maps, Play, Finance, and Forms.
• Others Software: SALESFORCE, Primary Bio, RAE, SUTRA, Vonage, Vanguard, BOX, Dropbox, AutoCAD, REVIT, SketchUp 3D, LUMION, V-Ray, Adobe Creative, ATLAS.it, CANVA and CODA, Zoom, Sky, ChatGPT, Otter, Quillbot, Fotor, and Grammarly, Linked, indeed, and Glassdoor, recruit.net, jobs, ZipRecruiter, Snagajob, Monster, Flex Jobs, and CareerBuilder.
• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, Telegram, and Snapchat.
W O R K E X P E R I E N C E
Canal Alliance [2021-Current]
• Senior Manager of Social Services
• As a leader within Canal Alliance, I provide comprehensive oversight and support to the Social Services Department, including the Community Programs Team and Case Management Team. This entails managing a team consisting of 2 Supervisors,10 Canal Alliance staff, 15 Community Health Workers, and 24 volunteers, ensuring that programs are executed according to plan and contractual obligations are met. • Currently my role involves developing strategic plans for program expansion or contraction as required, while also overseeing a range of programs such as San Rafael Community Response Team (SRCRT), Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (OCPSC), Opportunities For Youth (OFY), Children and Family Services (CFS), Community Prevention Services (CPS), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Canal Alliance Food Pantry, Community Health Workers (CHWs), Children's Holistic Immigration Representation Project (CHIRP), San Rafael City Schools (SRCS), and Participatory Budget (PB).
• I am responsible for supervising service delivery and maintaining the overall integrity of our services program, including the development and maintenance of program policies, procedures, assessments, and intervention tools.
• I actively pursue funding opportunities to sustain programs, collaborating closely with agency leadership and community, county, and state partners to promote and navigate sustainability efforts.
• Developing and monitoring budgets for Social Services to ensure that resources are allocated appropriately and utilized effectively to achieve program goals. • Managing contracts with external partners and vendors, ensuring that agreements are in place, and overseeing the fulfillment of contractual obligations. • Generating reports on program activities, monitoring data, outcomes, and expenditures, providing regular updates to stakeholders and funders ensuring accurate and timely reporting of programs.
• Identifying potential risks and challenges that may impact program delivery and implementing strategies to mitigate these risks.
• Collaborating with team members to develop strategies for program improvement and innovation, seeking feedback from stakeholders to inform program development. • Implement civic engagement and community organizing strategies and campaigns. • Collaborating with the development department on grant applications and program proposals, as well as with the marketing and communications department to effectively promote our programs through various channels including social media, Canal Alliance branding, and policies.
• Providing leadership and support to program staff, fostering a positive work environment, and promoting professional growth and development, ensuring our team remains equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver quality services to the community.
• Organizing in-person and virtual events, workshops, and community training. • Identifying partnerships and building coalitions with community groups, partner organizations, and local government.
• Work collaboratively with community agencies and stakeholders and represent Canal Alliance.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and guidelines governing program activities, including legal and ethical standards.
• Create and analyze data tracking systems to effectively report on and maximize outcomes for organizing and campaigns.
• Communicating with key stakeholders, including funders, partners, and community members, to build strong relationships and promote the program's mission and objectives.
Community Health Workers (CHWs)
As a Leader of a Community Health Workers structure in San Rafael, I oversee and strategize programs, themes, advocacy and messages for community outreach initiatives. The program responsibilities include:
• Implementing door-to-door outreach in areas such as the Canal, Woodland, Lincoln, San Rafael downtown and vulnerable neighborhoods in Marin County. • Conducting tabling and community canvassing in high-traffic areas/events, including streets bustling with pedestrians, bus terminals (Marin Transit), Canal Alliance, Multicultural, and Marin Community Clinic food pantries, Pickleweed Park, schools, churches, and local businesses.
• Engaging in phone banking to provide information and answer questions in culturally appropriate languages such as Spanish and indigenous languages. • Providing training for community leaders to serve as reliable messengers and effectively disseminate information within their communities.
• Involving Community Health Workers in testing and vaccination efforts, including outreach, engagement, and execution of tests for COVID-19, STIs, diabetes, hepatitis, flu, seasonal vaccines, etc.
• Offering resources and information to connect and keep the community informed about available prevention resources in Marin County.
• Collaborate with "Voces del Canal" to advocate for community needs, collect data, and drive systemic change.
Marin County, Participatory Budgeting (PB)
• Served as a member of the PB Committee within the Marin County Office of Equity, contributing to decision-making processes and ensuring community voices were heard. • Attended PB meetings at the county level, actively engaging in discussions and providing input on budget allocation decisions.
• Explored and contributed ideas to enhance the PB online tool, aiming to streamline the process and increase accessibility for community members. • Engaged in community outreach and participation efforts to encourage broad involvement in the PB process.
• Reviewed and voted on proposals submitted by community members, considering their potential impact and alignment with equity and community needs. • Discussed and shared project results with stakeholders, fostering transparency and accountability in the PB process.
• Collaborated with Canal Alliance as a community member to participate in the Latino Community Health House project, which was selected as one of the winning projects.
This initiative aims to provide culturally responsive healthcare and social services information to residents, leveraging the leadership and expertise of community health workers.
• Oversee the PB winner project, managing contracts, budgets, planning, implementation, and reporting to ensure successful outcomes and accountability to the community and Marin County Office of Equity.
San Rafael City Schools (SRCS)
I am overseeing San Rafael City Schools (SRCS) collaboration, my role involves providing support to unaccompanied immigrant youth and newcomer students in high school through comprehensive case management services. The responsibilities are:
• Participating in meetings with SRCS to provide updates on available services and resources for youth and families.
• Identifying students who may benefit from support, completing necessary release of information forms, engaging both the family and the youth, and conducting thorough intake assessments.
• Offering ongoing case management services, including connecting students with immigration legal services, providing tutoring/mentorship opportunities, and facilitating access to youth-oriented group activities throughout the school year. • Collaborating closely with school personnel to address students' individual needs and challenges while fostering the development of their strengths through personalized services.
• Maintaining detailed case records and notes for each interaction with students and families.
• Providing an annual progress report outlining the work completed with students. • Ensuring prompt responsiveness to any correspondence from SRCS, aiming to reply within three business days or fewer.
San Rafael Community Response Team (SR CRT)
As a lead in the San Rafael Community Response Team (SR CRT) I oversee the program at Canal Alliance, ensuring the health and safety of low-income Latino immigrants and their families. Our responsibilities are:
• Playing a critical role in responding to various emergencies, including emergency preparedness, clime change, overdose prevention and access to health services, while serving as the Zone Lead for the City of San Rafael and collaborating with other agencies countywide.
• Actively participating in emergency preparedness through monthly meetings, drills, and the development of an emergency response plan.
• Partnering with PG&E for emergency communications to the Spanish-speaking community and assisting partners in assessing and improving their preparedness. • Coordinating public health initiatives countywide, tailored to priority communities, and fostering interconnectivity between marginalized communities, particularly within the Canal neighborhood.
• Preparing the community for public health emergencies and disasters while enhancing response capabilities and building community resilience. • Coordinating and supporting the activities of the SR CRT coalition, convening meetings, coordinating agendas and updates, and ensuring accessibility for non-English speakers through remote meetings and translation services.
• Maintaining updated partner lists and ensuring fulfillment of activities outlined in partner MOUs.
• Monitoring the implementation of communication plans, continuity of operations, and performance of zone goals, while documenting planning and operational activities in a centralized database.
• Coordinating and supporting organizational and resident public health, behavioral health, and disaster preparedness activities, including training sessions and radio communications training.
• Training Community Health Workers for overdose prevention, including the use of Narcan and Fentanyl testing strips, and collaborating with organizations like Urban Strategies to provide in-person training to the community.
• Developing multilingual and multicultural materials for outreach, leveraging the capacity of Zone Partners to engage in interactive outreach strategies. • Implementing health outreach campaigns to Spanish-speaking residents through various channels, including text messages, email, flyers, phone banking, social media, radio, and direct mail.
• Utilizing a data-to-action framework to gather and share critical information with partners and the population served, facilitating effective communication and rapid response efforts.
• Generating reports on program activities, outcomes, and expenditures, providing regular updates to stakeholders and funders.
Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MDPW) and San Rafael Fire Department (SRFD) As the leader of the Community Ambassador Pilot Program, our collaboration with the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MDPW) and the San Rafael Fire Department (SRFD) aims to enhance community resilience and safety. My role involves supervising and developing strategies in coordination with SRFD and the Multicultural Center of Marin to achieve our collaboration goals. Responsibilities include:
• Identifying and recruiting peer-to-peer ambassadors, prioritizing individuals from lowerincome and/or non-English speaking communities who reside or work within Marin. • Maintaining records of program participants, including hours worked and personal information required for stipend disbursement.
• Providing stipends to community ambassadors as compensation for their efforts. • Organizing training sessions and meetings on wildfire and disaster preparedness, ensuring suitable locations for these events.
• Conducting social media outreach and promoting program information to raise awareness within the community.
• Compiling a list of events where ambassadors can engage in outreach efforts effectively.
• Collaborating with SRFD and the Multicultural Center of Marin to develop necessary supplies such as shirt designs, lanyards, ID card designs, flyers, posters, etc.
Marin County, CFS
As the supervisor of Child Abuse and Neglect Services and the Family Preservation Program within the CFS (Child and Family Services) program, our responsibilities are:
• Providing case management for families with children at risk of abuse or neglect, utilizing community-based supportive services to address their needs effectively. • Delivering pre-placement preventive services to Unaccompanied Minors released from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and their families. • Ensuring that all services provided are culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate to effectively meet the unique needs of the populations served.
Marin County, CPS
As the supervisor of the Community Prevention Services (CPS) program, I oversee initiatives focused on domestic violence prevention, access to education, economic self-sufficiency, overdose prevention, homelessness prevention, and non-legal immigration support. • Providing education on the patterns of domestic violence and offering case management support to families at risk, including assistance in obtaining immediate resources during emergencies.
• Assisting survivors of domestic violence in managing trauma, fostering resilience, and empowering them for constructive transformations.
• Actively engaging in the Marin County Family Violence Partnership and the Community Coordinated Response Coalition.
• Assisting families, particularly newcomers and those facing language barriers, in navigating the enrollment procedures for school-aged children, ensuring they are prepared to begin their education.
• Facilitating completion of essential paperwork for children to join educational and aftercare programs, and efficiently referring families to other service providers when needed.
• Offering guidance to Spanish-speaking immigrants with low income to enhance their economic self-sufficiency, including resume and cover letter creation, job searches, food safety certification, referrals for wage recovery, and applications for public benefits. • Collaborating with Marin County Public Health to provide Narcan training and distribution.
• Assisting individuals and families facing housing insecurity to prevent homelessness and achieve housing stability through various means, including emergency financial aid, rental assistance, and referrals for affordable housing. • Helping individuals in non-legal immigration situations, including aiding unaccompanied minors with special immigrant status applications, linking individuals with legal services, and facilitating referrals for behavioral health services.
Marin County, Eligibility Workers
Collaborating and coordinating with Marin County HSS to host Eligibility Workers at our site. Our responsibilities include:
• Providing a safe and accessible space for the community that meets the requirements and needs of Eligibility Workers to deliver Medical and CalFresh services. • Attending Marin County meetings to provide updates on the services available at our site and the model we are implementing with Eligibility Workers present during key times for the community.
• Collecting data on the services offered and referrals made, ensuring accurate documentation of community needs and utilization of services. • Scheduling appointments and welcoming community members to access services, facilitating a smooth and efficient process for individuals seeking assistance. • Developing multicultural and multilingual materials on Medical and CalFresh to ensure information accessibility and inclusivity.
• Conducting outreach to inform the community about Medical and CalFresh benefits, as well as referring them to our site for in-person assistance and support.
Legal AID of Marin
Collaborating and coordinating with Legal Aid of Marin to host attorneys at our site. Our responsibilities include:
• Providing a safe and accessible space for the community that meets the requirements and needs of attorneys to provide services and support community clients with housing issues, evictions, deposit recovery, and various other legal cases. • Collecting data on the services offered and referrals made, ensuring accurate documentation of community needs and utilization of services to inform program improvement and expansion.
• Conducting outreach to inform the community about Legal Aid of Marin's services available at our site, as well as referring individuals to their site for in-person assistance and support, ensuring access to comprehensive legal resources.
Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (OCPSC)
As the overseer of the implementation of the OCPSC Program, I ensure that contracts and budgets are managed efficiently and effectively. Responsibilities include:
• Attending state-level meetings to represent Marin County, with a focus on vulnerable communities in San Rafael.
• Developing plans and strategies to effectively deliver messages related to the State’s highest priorities, including community engagement and public awareness efforts such as COVID-19 vaccines, mental health, climate justice (water conservation, extreme heat), and ITIN.
• Supporting planning, coordination, and collaboration within the state government to align efforts and maximize impact.
• Utilizing successful community engagement and public awareness models developed through initiatives like the Census 2020 and COVID-19 vaccine campaigns. • Collaborating with a broad range of public, private, and community partners to assess climate risks and develop inclusive strategies for adaptation and resilience, promoting equity in California communities.
• Utilizing local outreach and communications infrastructure to ensure statewide messages are culturally appropriate, up-to-date, and accurate, meeting the diverse needs of communities.
• Monitoring misinformation and addressing attempts to undermine trust in government services and programs.
• Sharing community insights obtained from surveys and formative research with the state to inform decision-making.
• Collaborating with partners as thought partners to identify opportunities for improvement, share learnings, fill gaps, and expand efforts.
• Developing innovative strategies to reach key audiences with critical and accurate information through partnerships with trusted ethnic media, social media, and other channels.
California, Department of Social Services Office of Immigration Youth, Opportunities for Youth (OFY)
• As the Senior Manager of OFY for a service provider in Marin County, I oversee a statefunded initiative dedicated to providing culturally and linguistically responsive, trauma- informed, and wellness-centered post-release supportive services to Unaccompanied Undocumented Minors and families across three regions in California. • Manage the OFY contract, budget, and supervise the Youth team, ensuring smooth operations and alignment with program goals and objectives. • Attend meetings with CDSS to provide updates and seek technical assistance, fostering collaboration and ensuring alignment with state-level initiatives. • Track program data and generate comprehensive reports to evaluate program effectiveness and guide decision-making processes.
• Provide comprehensive case management, navigation, mentorship, and wellness support to youth and their caregivers, prioritizing their holistic well-being and successful integration into the community.
• Foster the development of healthy and supportive relationships between youth and adults, creating an environment conducive to growth and healing. • Empower youth by enhancing their core life skills and supporting caregivers in developing effective parenting strategies, enabling them to navigate challenges and foster positive youth development.
• Facilitate connections between youth and families with community resources and support services, addressing various stressors and promoting stability and resilience.
Children's Holistic Immigration Representation Project (CHIRP) • As the supervisor of the Children's Holistic Immigration Representation Project (CHIRP) program, I oversee an initiative dedicated to enhancing the well-being of recently arrived children in California. Our program serves as a potential model for other states seeking responsible approaches to welcoming and supporting unaccompanied immigrant children in their communities.
• Within CHIRP, we provide comprehensive legal advocacy for unaccompanied children, prioritizing trauma-informed intervention to ensure they receive both legal services and appropriate care. Beyond legal advocacy, we advocate for our clients in various areas and connect them with support systems to enhance their overall well-being and foster healthy youth development.
• Central to our approach is the assessment, understanding, and addressing of each client's intersecting needs, prioritizing their emotional and physical safety and stability.
We ensure that no child faces immigration proceedings alone, assembling interdisciplinary teams of dedicated advocates to identify and respond to external challenges that may impact their legal case, ensuring that critical issues are addressed comprehensively.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• As the overseer of NAMI Marin Family Support Groups in the Canal District, I established the first of these groups in Spanish with childcare services in Marin County. Our responsibilities included:
• Training community members to become certified facilitators and providing them with educational materials to effectively lead support groups. • Conducting community outreach to engage with individuals and families in need of mental health support, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility. • Developing multilingual and multicultural materials such as flyers, videos, and social media posts to reach diverse communities and raise awareness about mental health resources.
• Organizing Family Support Groups that provide a welcoming environment for participants, including childcare, snacks, and coordinated facilitation to ensure meaningful discussions and support.
• Collecting data from the community to track services offered and evaluate the effectiveness of support group interventions.
• Reporting progress and outcomes to NAMI, ensuring transparency and accountability in our efforts to support mental health wellness in the community.
Marin County, STI Program
Oversaw the STI program, managing the contract, budget, and collaborating with Marin County HHS to plan and implement an STI Pilot Program aimed at promoting and testing for HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis C, HPV, and Diabetes.
• Provided comprehensive training for staff and CHWs to effectively implement the STI Pilot Program, testing protocols and community engagement strategies. • Actively participated in meetings with the Marin County HHS team to provide updates on program progress and coordinate efforts for program success. • Conducted outreach activities through door-to-door interactions and community canvassing to raise awareness about STI testing and prevention measures. • Established and supervised an STI testing site, ensuring compliance with CDS, HIPAA, and Marin County HHS protocols for sample collection and confidentiality. • Facilitated referrals to the Marin Community Clinic (MCC) for individuals requiring further medical evaluation or treatment.
• Registered community members for testing on the primary platform and collected relevant data to track program outcomes and effectiveness. • Followed up on STI cases to ensure individuals received appropriate treatment, support, and information to manage their health effectively.
• Regularly reported progress and findings during the project, providing insights into program impact and areas for improvement to stakeholders and funders.
Marin County, NARCAN Program
Oversee the NARCAN program in collaboration with Marin County HSS, OD Free Marin, and Zone Partners to enhance access to Narcan.
• Conducting training sessions on Narcan administration and education within our designated zone, empowering community residents with the skills to administer Narcan effectively.
• Promoting Narcan training at outreach events to partners, Community-Based Organizations, and individual community members to broaden awareness and accessibility.
• Tracking training sessions, fentanyl test strips, NARCAN kits distributed, ensuring accountability and effective program tracking.
• Engaging in overdose prevention efforts to mitigate the risks of opioid overdose in our communities, aligning with OD Free Marin's initiatives and priorities. • Providing referrals to OD Free Marin, MCC, and other relevant Marin County services to ensure individuals receive comprehensive support.
• Collaborating with organizations such as Urban Strategies to deliver in-person overdose prevention training to the community, enhancing awareness and preparedness. • Developing multilingual and multicultural overdose prevention materials to ensure accessibility and inclusivity.
• Conducting door-to-door interactions, social media outreach, tabling at community events, and providing information at Canal Alliance, Marin Multicultural Center, and Marin Community Clinic food pantries to effectively disseminate overdose prevention information and resources.
IDEO
I collaborated with IDEO on the planning and implementation of the "Honest Conversations" campaign focused on COVID-19 vaccines.
• Gathering stories from the community, who then extended invitations to their families, neighbors, friends, and neighborhoods, serving as trusted messengers familiar to their own people.
• Working closely with IDEO, we conducted research and collaborated with community co-designers (Canal residents) to ensure that the message was delivered to the community in a multicultural and multilingual manner. Together, we dispelled misinformation in Marin County during the pandemic, making COVID-19 vaccines reliable and accessible to all.
• As a leader, I spearheaded the creation and supervision of a community fair with a gallery-style exhibition on the street to showcase the results of IDEO's campaign and connect with the community. We invited Marin County Community-Based Organizations to offer resources and services to the community affected by the pandemic. • I played a pivotal role in creating a model and successful materials that IDEO, in collaboration with the University of Minnesota, made available for other organizations and communities across the United States.
• I also had the honor of serving as a panelist of "Honest Conversations" presentations project at the NRC-RIM National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants.
Aliados por la Salud; UCSF, United Way, and Cultiva la Salud, Merced, CA. Canal Alliance, Marin County, CA, Calle 24, Mission District, San Francisco, CA.
As a Health Supervisor in the Latino COVID-19 Collaborative (LCC) project with UCSF and RadxUP, our focus was providing information and resources to Latino communities in San Rafael, Marin County, La Mission San Francisco, and Planada in Merced. My responsibilities included:
• Advocating for resources at the State, Federal, and external organization levels that support health programs focused on COVID-19 during the pandemic. • Planning monthly meetings with community leaders to provide resources, invite panelists, and deliver updated information to the community.
• Coordinating with health promoters in Marin, Merced, and San Francisco to establish a network of accessibility and trusted messengers of information within the community. • Collecting community data to respond to and investigate COVID-19 and its different stages.
• Creating a Monkeypox Community Campaign to respond during emergency times, ensuring that the community is informed and prepared in the event of an outbreak.
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) • I oversaw the NACCHO program on COVID-19 Prevention and Mitigation Strategies among Refugee, Immigrant, and Migrant (RIM) Communities. • Developed and implemented comprehensive work plans and evaluation strategies to ensure effective program implementation.
• Actively participated in virtual kick-off meetings, collaborating closely with NACCHO and UMN-RIM to collect, analyze, interpret, and synthesize evaluation findings. • Shared ongoing lessons learned and research findings through detailed reports, engaging webinars, and providing limited peer-to-peer technical assistance to jurisdictions seeking to enhance their strategies.
• Regularly participated in project conference calls and other dissemination meetings to ensure alignment and effective communication across all project stakeholders.
University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and University of California Merced (UC Merced) • Spearheaded operations at a COVID-19 testing site in Latino neighborhoods, facilitating essential pandemic response efforts, and delivering crucial services. Conducted comprehensive qualitative and quantitative scientific research to enhance understanding and response strategies.
• Led the implementation of community surveys and conducted focus groups during the COVID-19 pandemic, gathering valuable insights to inform targeted interventions and public health initiatives.
• Played a pivotal role in the thorough analysis of extensive research data collected over several years of studying the pandemic's impact, contributing to evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation.
• Contributed authorship to scientific publications authored by UCSF and UC Merced, ensuring accurate representation of research findings and insights.
Vaccinate ALL 58 – CDPH
• Collaborated with CDPH to implement the Vaccinate ALL 58 Campaign in Marin County, ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines across all 58 counties in California. • Participated in state-level meetings to plan and discuss communication strategies and vaccine implementation for COVID-19.
• Supervised a team in the Canal neighborhood to disseminate accurate information about vaccines within the Latino community, addressing vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
• Trained a dedicated team assigned to deliver reliable messages to the community, empowering them to become trusted messengers.
• Registered and referred community members to obtain COVID-19 vaccines, ensuring widespread access to vaccination services.
• Built a network of community members to educate their families, friends, and neighbors, serving as reliable messengers to increase vaccine acceptance and uptake. • Coordinated and hosted vaccination clinics at our site, providing convenient access to COVID-19 vaccines for the community, thereby contributing to overall vaccination efforts and public health outcomes.
Marin County, COVID-19 Case Investigator Coordinator. [2019-2020] • Supervised a team of 5 bilingual COVID-19 case tracers during the pandemic, ensuring effective coordination and execution of case investigation activities. • Conducted thorough investigations of reported COVID-19 cases by conducting interviews with infected individuals over the phone, determining the likely source of illness, identifying close contacts, and assessing the potential for outbreak. • Implemented isolation and quarantine recommendations according to established protocols, providing education on preventive measures to contacts and the community, monitoring symptom progression, and offering case management and referrals to appropriate community resources.
• Contacted individuals identified as close contacts of newly diagnosed patients, documenting symptom information into a web-based client resource management platform and providing them with approved information and instructions about quarantine procedures.
• Maintained awareness of community health needs and behaviors, advocating for individuals and populations both within the health department and the broader community.
• Disseminated information about current health department services, concerns, and goals through various channels including group presentations, personal contacts, written materials, and media engagement. Contributed to the selection and development of educational materials for client education.
• Provided health information to the public and made referrals to appropriate agencies, offering consultation and direct services to defined at-risk populations. • Maintained accurate and up-to-date case records and reports documenting service delivery and caseload management.
• Assisting COVID-19 immunization clinics in various community settings, assessing, and evaluating client care needs during clinics as assigned.
Storek Studio [2017-2020]
As an architect at Storek Studio, I collaborated with the CEO to develop projects that included:
• Design & Planning in both 2D and 3D formats.
• Developing project proposals to present to clients and stakeholders. • Preparing drawings, blueprints, specifications, and construction documents to communicate design intent and technical details to contractors and builders.
P20 Architects [2015-2017]
As an architect with a master's degree in urban planning, I held the role of Urban Project Manager, leading the company's urban projects. My responsibilities included:
• Conducting field social research for urban projects, analyzing relevant sociocultural and community aspects.
• Conducting field natural research for urban projects, evaluating environmental and geographical factors affecting urban development.
• Participating in meetings with project directors and private clients to understand their needs and expectations.
• Designing and planning private urban projects, developing proposals that integrate functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability.
• Preparing necessary documents for urban construction permit management, ensuring compliance with local regulations and standards.
• Coordinating technical teams for the implementation of urban infrastructure projects, ensuring efficient and effective project execution.
Secretariat of Tourism Government [2013-2015]
Architect project management focused on the design and planning of urban infrastructure for IMSS pensioners and retirees. My role involved oversaw the entire process of the project.
Responsibilities included:
• Conducting thorough assessments to understand the specific needs and requirements of IMSS pensioners and retirees in terms of urban infrastructure, such as accessibility, healthcare facilities, recreational spaces, and transportation options. • Collaborating with architects, engineers, and urban planners to develop design concepts and plans that prioritize the comfort, accessibility, and well-being of IMSS pensioners and retirees. This may involve creating age-friendly designs, incorporating universal design principles, and ensuring accessibility standards compliance. • Managing the planning and permitting process, which includes obtaining necessary approvals from regulatory authorities and ensuring compliance with local building codes, zoning regulations, and safety standards.
• Engaging with IMSS pensioners, retirees, and other relevant stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle to gather feedback, address concerns, and ensure that the infrastructure projects meet the needs and expectations of the target demographic. • Managing project budgets and schedules effectively to ensure that urban infrastructure projects are completed within the allocated resources and timelines.
Urban Group of Mexico [2012-2014]
As a Social Project Manager at Urban Group of Mexico (URGM), I was responsible for Studies & Projects Development. My main duties included:
• Conducting research to inform planning decisions on various community-related topics, including demographic trends, transportation options, land use patterns, and environmental concerns.
City Hall of Medellin Government [2012-2013]
As an architect manager of social projects in development my responsibilities were:
• Created and implemented plans that guide the growth and improvement of cities, towns, and urban areas.
• Designed plans to address a variety of issues, including zoning regulations, transportation infrastructure, land use policies, and environmental sustainability. • Ensured urban development projects were socially inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and responsive to the needs and concerns of local communities. • Collaborated with various stakeholders, including government agencies, community organizations, and residents, to develop comprehensive and effective strategies for urban growth and development.
ITSPV Investigation Department [2009-2012]
As an Architect Researcher in the ITSPV Investigation Department, my role involved spearheading design, research, and innovation initiatives. • Developing innovative architectural designs that align with project goals and objectives.
This may involve conceptualizing architectural concepts, creating design proposals, and producing detailed architectural drawings.
• Conducting comprehensive research on various architectural topics, including materials, construction techniques, sustainability practices, and emerging trends in the field.
Gathering information from diverse sources to inform design decisions and project strategies.
• Identifying opportunities for innovation within architectural practice and exploring new approaches to design, construction, and project delivery. Experimenting with novel ideas and technologies to enhance architectural outcomes and address contemporary challenges.
• Collecting relevant data related to architectural projects, such as site conditions, building requirements, and user preferences. Analyzing data to identify patterns, trends, and insights that can inform design solutions and project strategies. • Interpreting research specifications and translating them into actionable plans and design strategies. Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure that research findings are integrated effectively into architectural projects. • Developing action plans based on research findings and design objectives. Setting clear goals, timelines, and milestones to guide project implementation and ensure successful outcomes.
P U B L I C A T I O N S
Book. Sustainable habitat. Interdisciplinary Discourses and Perspectives for Development.
ITESPV-CEA-5.
Thesis. Sustainable Integral Project ITSPV.
Qualitative Research. Community-academic partnership pandemic: Engaged response & expanded research participation. UCSF, UC Merced.
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Pooja Rawat
Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado CA
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94901
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive actualmente?
District 2/Western / Distrito 2/Oeste
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
2.5yrs
Q4
Business Information
Company Parker Hannifin
Address 5500 Business Park Drive
City/Town Rohnert Park
ZIP/Postal Code 94928
#4
COMPLETE
Collector: Web Link 1 (Web Link)
Started: Thursday, July 20, 2023 12:06:40 PM
Last Modified: Thursday, July 20, 2023 12:29:41 PM
Time Spent: 00:23:01
IP Address: 136.226.67.80
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
Other (please specify):
Looked up opportunities to support the city on the website Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría aplicar?
Board of Library Trustees,
Design Review Board,
Planning Commission,
Public Art Review Board
Q10
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they? I have a history of supporting varied activities in Upstate New York community before moving to San Rafael. I oversaw a grant budget of $300,000 for non-profit organizations in upstate New York from 2018 to 2021. This provided support to organizations across 3 counties in Update New York. I partnered with multiple community colleges and high schools to build career pipeline for students and bring new technology into schools, partnered with Court Appointed Special Advocates to provide them with IT resources. I also assisted Salvation Army in writing a grant for $150,000 to build a new Domestic Violence Shelter, etc. I would be happy to share more information on my experience.
Q11
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
Currently not a member in San Rafael
Q12
Education:
Masters in Human Resource Management - Ohio State University Bachelors in Engineer - SRM University/University of Wisconsin Q13
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission? Before moving to San Rafael, I was living in the PA/Upstate NY area for 3 years and was greatly involved in making an impact in that community. Upstate NY was heavily suffering from the opioid crisis and I was working to provide much needed education, support and safety to it's youth and women. I bring a varied skillset to the table given my professional background and I like to utilize it to impact the community I live in. I moved to San Rafael in February of 2021 and saw the impact COVID had left in the community, primarily the loss of businesses in the area. The economic impact of COVID is fairly visible in San Rafael's downtown and I would love to utilize my skillset in revitalizing this community and the economic gap.
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
3 / 3
Q14
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
None
Q15
Upload your resume.
Rawat%2C%20Pooja.pdf (162.2KB)
Pooja Rawat
| Bay Area, CA
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
HR professional with 5+ years of experience working across diverse business units to identify opportunities, build strategy roadmaps and manage HR projects from concept to implementation.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Workday, Oracle, SAP, UKG/Ultipro, Kronos, Open Hire, Confluence, Smart Recruiter, Reloweb, GSuite, MS Office Suite, Salesforce, Jira
WORK EXPERIENCE
Parker Hannifin - Human Resources Manager 2021 - Present ● Managing California office for Electronic Motions & Controls division, providing broad perspective and strategic direction on organizational strategy supporting growth of 5% in FY22 for one of the major engineering divisions ● Leading various complex HR projects such as payroll system, compensation, onboarding platform, talent management, etc. as business partner for Engineering, Product, Supply Chain, Operations, and Sales & Marketing teams. ● Providing HR expertise to site and divisional leadership in the areas of performance management, employee relations, learning & development, workforce planning and hiring strategies. Leading core HR processes of performance calibration, merit cycle and succession planning annually
● Designed FY22 annual improvement roadmap and strategy for lean High-Performance teams to support strategic business growth and increased effectiveness of product cost, delivery, quality, employee safety and engagement for the site. ● Led a cross-functional team to develop engagement strategies and enhanced organizational effectiveness, employee empowerment, and satisfaction by 7%
● Reviewing current organization design and driving a restructure to align with future business growth into Electrification ● Strategically managing labor cost to balance short-term drop in product demand and meet $2.4million sales goal ● Building DE&I team and 3-year strategy roadmap to expand representation of underrepresented groups and drive an inclusive culture across multiple levels in the organization.
Cummins, Inc. - Human Resources Business Partner 2018 – 2021 ● Led various complex product launches as the HR expert and liaison for multiple teams including Engineer, Product, Supply Chain and Operations teams. Provided strategic and consultative solutions on organizational development, succession planning, people management and employee relations to a customer base of 800+ employees across 3 product lines for Engine Business Unit ● Developed compensation programs that included position evaluation, salary structures, merit matrices, salary range development and market pricing studies, for different employee groups including but not limited to engineers, managers and hourly employees to attract and retain talent
● Built programs for Mergers & Acquisition and Diversity & Inclusion to support, transition and empower senior leadership through task forces, strategy tool kits and programmatic best practices ● Led over 85 sensitive investigation cases, ranging from sexual harassment to threat and violence, and take appropriate action in compliance with company code of conduct, state, and federal law ● Led a cross-functional team with Operations and HR to drive continuous improvement for performance appraisal system and increased robustness of feedback to employees, ensured accurate budget planning and increased process efficiency by approximately 20% ● Migrated outdated legacy HRIS system to Workday to enable better data tracking, reporting, audit and compliance for 18,000 employee records. Identified system capabilities, pain points, solutions, and launched Workday with zero post launch issues ● Identified various process improvement opportunities by analyzing 5yr turnover data, built programs to drive behavioral change and reduced turnover by 3% within 2 years. Forecasted turnover in key roles and constructed a robust plan to drive 4% attrition ● Conducted a top down and bottom-up skills audit to identify core manager and leader skills, to create anchor points for organizational development interventions (e.g., L&D, Coaching, performance management). ● Identified business staffing needs and built recruitment strategies to attract talent and reduced time to fill by approximately 20 days SQUARE, Inc. - Benefits and Mobility Coordinator 2017 – 2018 ● Initiated various immigration and mobility processes for new hires and transfers across 5 international locations, US, UK, Canada, Australia and Sweden, partnering with multiple immigration law firms and mobility vendors across these 5 locations ● Managed full lifecycle of mobility & benefit processes in collaboration with law firms and vendors, for employees from hire to separation ● Worked on rolling out Salesforce to automate employee help desk on cloud ● Designed internal wiki page interface and whitepapers on employee benefits, wellness and perks for internal marketing ● Conducted various internal audits for benefits and immigration processes including: LCA, I-9s, reverifications, workday data, COBRA, etc.
EDUCATION
The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business 2017 Master’s in Human Resource Management, 3.5 GPA
SRM University 2014
Bachelor’s in Technology, Nanotechnology 3.4 GPA
University of Wisconsin - Madison 2012
Degree program a part of SRM University
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Susie Berg
Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado CA
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94901
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive actualmente?
District 2/Western / Distrito 2/Oeste
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
3 years
Q4
Business Information
Respondent skipped this question
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
Friend
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría aplicar?
Planning Commission
#118
COMPLETE
Collector: Web Link 1 (Web Link)
Started: Friday, May 09, 2025 1:31:56 PM
Last Modified: Friday, May 09, 2025 3:00:13 PM
Time Spent: 01:28:17
IP Address: 76.253.12.10
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q18
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they? I participate in Federal GOTV activities during the election cycle and I'm a legal pro bono volunteer for Legal Aid of Marin. I frequently represent clients in their Community Court Program.
Q19
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
Elks Club (pending initiation in May 2025)
Q20
Education:
University of the Pacific, BA
Berkeley Law, JD
Q21
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission? As a San Rafael resident, I am interested in serving on the Planning Commission because I am deeply committed to the thoughtful growth and long-term sustainability of our City. I care about how land use decisions impact the City and I want to contribute meaningfully to policy conversations around transportation, housing, economic development and climate goals.
I believe that my legal background could be an asset to the Commission. I began my legal career as a land use attorney, where I gained a strong understanding of general plans, zoning ordinances, CEQA compliance, and other foundational land use and real estate laws. These skills position me to evaluate planning matters with both a legal and practical lens.
In addition to my land use experience, throughout my legal career, I’ve advised on real estate, commercial, and regulatory issues. As a result, I’ve worked closely with planning consultants, title companies, and local governments—experience that has given me a solid understanding of how planning decisions affect housing, infrastructure, and community development.
Q22
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
I am pursuing the opportunity to open an indoor children's playground in San Rafael.
Q23
Upload your resume.
1%20-%20Susie%20Berg%20Resume%20AUG%202023%20-%20for%20ATS.pdf (179KB)
SUSANNE BERG, ESQ
San Rafael, CA 94109
linkedin.com/in/bergsusie
E-COMMERCE & FINTECH COUNSEL | OPERATIONS PARTNER
Commercial attorney who enjoys working in a dynamic legal department. Experience working with C-suites and stakeholders on complex business deals, managing litigation and product development. Familiarity with regulatory schemes such as UDAAP, GDPR, FDCPA AND FCRA in addition to money transmission laws and card network rules.
Career at a glance:
• Structuring and negotiating 200+ commercial contracts and deals including strategic partnerships, payment processing, financings, and corporate transactions, as well as acquisitions and divestitures. • Counseling 10+ product teams (e.g., payments, AI, e-commerce) on new products, product improvements, and compliance.
• Building and leading corporate teams of up to 5, and volunteer teams of up to 50. Also, experienced as nonprofit board president managing a 2,000-member organization. • Collaborating with 3- to 25-member teams, including commercial, product, engineering, finance, marketing, compliance, privacy, security governance, customer service, and regulatory. Additional experience establishing and managing relationships with external counsel.
• Serving as litigation counsel on 25+ matters and managing litigation on 125+ additional cases. • Managing operating budgets up to $925K.
EXPERIENCE:
AUTODESK INC.
San Francisco, CA
Director & Senior Corporate Counsel | Digital Platform, E-commerce & Experiences Aug 2019 to present
Recruited to serve as global lead counsel for the Autodesk digital experience. Reporting to Assistant General Counsel. • Digital Platform, E-commerce & Experiences: Appointed as business and legal advisor for Autodesk’s .com properties, helping open new growth pathways and enhancing customer experiences as digital business growth exceeded 30% YoY over 4 years.
- E-commerce & Go-to-Market Experiences: Appointed as legal business partner to 570-person operating division’s Chief Technologist and 14 direct reports—advising on issues in EMEA, APAC, and Americas.
Matters impact Autodesk.com e-commerce and go-to-market experiences, including 20+ marketing campaigns and promotions (e.g., email, telemarketing, contests); 2 new business models (e.g., subscription tokens); customer T&C / disclosures; community forum user rules (e.g., brand advocate policies). - Artificial Intelligence Product Counseling: Supported General AI considerations (e.g., consumer trust, IP, data privacy, security) related to product launch of employee- and customer-facing chatbots. - International e-Store Restructuring & Payments: Collaborated with 15-member e-commerce product team in restructuring 3 international e-Stores from vendor- to in-house management.
Included launching 5 international payments methods (e.g., credit cards, alternative payments, wire transfers)—negotiating multimillion-dollar payment vendor agreements (e.g., buy-now-later financing, data analytics) and ensuring regulatory compliance (e.g., SEPA, ACH, PCI) across 6 countries. - Website Accessibility: Served as point person for website compliance under the Americans With Disabilities Act, and conducted ADA training for 30-attendee conference breakout. • Social Responsibility: Co-founded 7-member Pro Bono Legal Committee to deliver global pro bono legal work, presently serving clients in 4 countries on immigration, LGBTQ+, and homelessness matters. Awarded “Partner in Justice” by Legal Aid of Marin. Includes partnership development with 8 law firms and non-profits. • Legal Summit Management: Led development and day-of operations for 110-attendee legal summit, hosted in Napa (Feb 14-17th, 2023). Included theme naming (“Defying Gravity”), planning and acquisiton of 8 executive level speakers, and team building planning, as well as event planner vendor selection and management.
YAPSTONE HOLDINGS
Walnut Creek, CA
Senior Legal Counsel
2016 to 2019
Recruited by GC to support 10-member commercial / product legal team as part of Series C company that powered payments for residential rental partners and one of the world’s top vacation marketplaces. Reporting to AGC. • Commercial Contracts: Worked closely with C-Suite in negotiating and drafting 20+ complex commercial deals, including a $15M PSA and a $35M cash-stock deal. Conducted due diligence on a potential fintech acquisition.
• Privacy Counsel: Led 2 core data protection initiatives, including workflows and terms necessary for compliance with GDPR and privacy shield
• Product Counseling: Advised the CTO, Chief Privacy Officer, and Office of the PMO on 5 bespoke fintech products and feature enhancements.
• Marketing Counseling: Appointed by GC to support 6-member marketing team, ensuring collateral compliance with UDAAP laws.
OVO COSMICO, INC. DBA BTCJAM
San Francisco, CA
In-House Counsel
2015 to 2016
Hired by Series A start-up to provide counsel across all aspects of legal and compliance issues relating to international peer-to-peer Bitcoin lending. Managed operations in COO’s absence, including HR, payroll, insurance, corporate governance matters, and records. Reported to COO and CEO, respectively. • Litigation Management: Acted as litigation counsel for master services agreement breach, resulting in advantageous settlement agreement with a Fortune 50 company. • Regulatory Strategic Planning: Created and implemented legal roadmap addressing regulatory issues including SEC, money transmission, and consumer lending. • Bitcoin Licensing Lead: Authored and project managed licensing application and process.
HERO CITY at DRAPER UNIVERSITY
San Mateo, CA
Managing Director
2013 to 2015
Hired to lead strategic direction and manage property / incubator operations serving 16 companies and 5 venture capital firms for 50,000 square foot co-working facility. Reported to the COO.
PARK TREE INVESTMENTS, LLC
San Francisco, CA
In-House Counsel and Chief of Staff
2009 to 2013
Managed legal and operational matters for a boutique hedge fund with mortgage and real property assets in 36 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. Reported to the CEO, and led in his absence.
Legal Counsel:
• Compliance: Launched and managed 4-member loss mitigation team in Canton, OH, ensuring compliance with Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, Truth-in-Lending-Act and licensing requirements. • Acquisition Management: Directed 4-member due diligence team on title underwriting, and property valuation. Helped negotiate and draft buy- and sell-side note sale agreements. • Transactions & Litigation Matters: Oversaw national network of 50+ foreclosure attorneys; drafted loan modifications and agreements (transfer, purchase / sale, operating), promissory notes and documents for recordation. Managed contested foreclosures, title claims, and bankruptcies.
Operations:
• Revenue Growth & Portfolio Performance: Helped raise $12M in capital and managed $26M in mortgage assets as firm grew from 2 to 8 employees and 12 investors. Included growth from $0 to $3.2M (2009-2012) and portfolio performance increase from 73% to 43% default rate. • Policy & Procedures Development: Authored 60-page process and procedures manual and employee handbook, and researched / established new benefits and administration policy.
LAW OFFICES of SUSANNE BERG
San Francisco, CA
Attorney
2005 to 2009
BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN
Walnut Creek, CA
Associate
2004 to 2005
CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.
San Jose, CA
Government Affairs Coordinator
2000 to 2001
CALIFORNIANS for GRAY DAVIS
San Francisco and Sacramento, CA
Deputy Finance Director (fundraising)
1998 to 2000
EDUCATION:
U.C. Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2004 University of the Pacific, Bachelor of Arts, English, 1998 – with honors CIPP/US and CIPP/E, 2017 & 2018
California State Bar, 2005
FROM THE DESK OF
Robert S. Sandoval
May 9, 2025
Dear San Rafael City Council:
I am writing to express my strong support for Susie Berg’s application to serve on the San Rafael Planning Commission.
Susie is a friend of mine who I believe would bring a thoughtful and communityfocused approach to the Planning Commission. Susie is an accomplished attorney in the tech sector, a people leader, and has dedicated years in pro bono service representing tenants in housing matters. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Build Change—a women-founded nonprofit that promotes making homes more resilient to natural disasters.
Beyond her professional qualifications, Susie is a mother of her own young family in San Rafael and active in her community. She understands the importance of planning for the needs of our future to make San Rafael a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
We need more people like Susie on our Boards and Commissions. San Rafael’s Planning Commission would greatly benefit from Susie’s perspective.
Sincerely,
Robert Sandoval