Form Name: Boards and Commission
Unique ID: 1395159122
Applicant Information
Name Ofri Vaisman
Are you a Sunnyvale resident? Yes
How long have you lived in
Sunnyvale?
Just over 3 years
Description Area Residence Notice:Unless otherwise noted, your principal place of residence must be in Sunnyvale. You must live in Sunnyvale at the time of appointment and at all times during service on a board or commission.
Current Main Residence
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Email
Phone
Are you currently a registered
voter in Sunnyvale?
No
Have you ever served on a City of
Sunnyvale board or commission?
No
Have you attended a meeting of
the City Council, or a board or
commission?
Yes
Briefly describe what you learned
by watching or attending a
meeting of the City Council,
board or commission. What
improvements would you
suggest?
I have attended meetings of the Fremont Union High School District Board. Observing these meetings helped me appreciate the importance of open dialogue, transparency, and respectful discussion in public decision-making, values I would bring to my participation on the Human Relations Commission.
The meeting was well organized and provided space for
community members to share their views. However, it could be improved by fostering more open dialogue between board
members and attendees. I understand it's not always feasible to address ad-hoc comments during the meeting, but it might be valuable for board members to follow up afterward. For example, through summaries or updates on how public input was
considered. Such efforts could further strengthen trust, transparency, and a shared sense of purpose between the board and the community.
Ofri Vaisman
Date Received:
Voter registration verified:
On:
By:
10/27/25
N/A
SB
I
Have you attended meetings of
the board(s) or commission(s) for
which you are applying?
No
Board or Commission Selection
First Choice Human Relations Commission
Applicant Qualifications
What motivated you to apply for
this board or commission?
I have lived in Sunnyvale for three years and care deeply about strengthening our community's sense of belonging. I was inspired to apply because I believe that genuine inclusion means engaging with one another as human beings, beyond race, ethnicity, or nationality and recognizing the shared values that connect us.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision that people be judged by their character rather than their skin color has always guided me. In recent years, the rise in polarization and antisemitism nationwide has reinforced my motivation to help foster dialogue that is both compassionate and fact-based.
I hope to contribute to the Commission's mission by promoting civil discourse, encouraging bridge-building across Sunnyvale's diverse communities, and advising Council on ways to strengthen accessibility, transparency, and trust in local government.
What skills or attributes can you
bring to this board or
commission?
I am a medical device industry executive with extensive experience leading cross-disciplinary teams. In medical device development, success depends on collaboration - engineers, clinicians, regulatory specialists, and manufacturing experts must work together seamlessly toward a common purpose. This field is not high-tech for its own sake; it is about improving and saving patients' lives. That purpose has taught me to listen carefully, integrate diverse viewpoints, and respect every professional's contribution.
As the CEO of a medical device startup, I've learned to think creatively, lead with empathy, and balance innovation with safety and ethics. These experiences have strengthened my ability to find common ground, navigate complex discussions, and
approach challenges with curiosity and respect, qualities that align closely with the Human Relations Commission's goals of dialogue, diversity, and inclusion.
Ofri Vaisman
The primary role of a board or
commission member is to provide
advice to City Council on policy
issues that are within the scope
of the board or commission. What
steps would you take to
effectively exercise this specific
board or commission role?
To exercise the Human Relations Commission role effectively, I would begin by actively listening to residents, community organizations, city staff, and fellow commissioners, to understand diverse perspectives before forming conclusions. I would approach each issue with humility, curiosity, and respect for differing views.
I would review relevant policies, data, and best practices related to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion to ground
recommendations in both evidence and empathy. When
addressing sensitive topics, I would promote civil discourse and seek common ground that strengthens community trust and belonging.
My goal is to contribute thoughtfully, help build consensus, and ensure the Commission's advice to Council reflects the City's values of fairness, transparency, and respect for all residents.
Education – List college degrees,
majors and any relevant training
or experience that demonstrates
your ability to effectively serve
on this board or commission.
• MBA (Summa Cum Laude) - Tel-Aviv University
• Pre-Med courses - Tel-Aviv University
• BA Physics and Psychology (Magna Cum Laud) - Hebrew
University of Jerusalem
• Recipient of multiple academic scholarships and honors Academic background combining analytical thinking, human behavior, and organizational leadership, skills that support thoughtful, evidence-based and empathetic decision-making as a member of the Human Relations Commission.
Describe your involvement in
community activities, volunteer
and civic organizations.
I am actively involved with the Bay Area Jewish Coalition, particularly on issues related to education and inclusion. In recent years, as antisemitism and other forms of hate have increased nationwide, including here in Sunnyvale, I have worked to promote understanding and dialogue within our schools and community.
Through this involvement, I have engaged with educators, principals, and community members to encourage thoughtful, fact-based conversations that reduce misunderstanding and foster empathy. My goal has been to help create an environment where every student feels safe, respected, and supported, regardless of background or identity.
I was drawn to this work because I believe deeply in the values that define our democracy - equality, fairness, and respect for all.
I relocated to Sunnyvale inspired by its diversity and by the hope that my children would grow up among friends from many
cultures, learning to see themselves as part of a global community that values humanity above identity. This belief continues to guide my involvement in our community.
Ofri Vaisman
Description Area The City has a Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials and an Attendance Policy (7.2.19), 2 G (II) that appointed members are required to follow.
Do you have any concerns related
to the above code and policy?
No
Are you willing to accept a
temporary appointment for the
remainder of an unexpired term?
Yes
Board or Commission-Specific Questions
Human Relations Commission
Category One: I'm a Sunnyvale
resident.
Yes
What do you think are major
equity challenges facing the
Sunnyvale community?
Sunnyvale's diversity is one of its greatest strengths, but it also highlights important equity challenges we must continue to address.
First, the rise in antisemitism and other forms of hate threatens residents' sense of safety and belonging. Combating
discrimination through education, dialogue, and
community-building is essential to ensuring that every person feels valued and protected.
Second, the ongoing housing affordability crisis is creating barriers for many residents, including teachers, service workers, and young families, to live and thrive in Sunnyvale. Maintaining an inclusive city means ensuring access to stable and affordable housing for people from all backgrounds.
Finally, as a community with such rich cultural and linguistic diversity, we can benefit from more intentional bridge-building, creating opportunities for people of different backgrounds to engage, listen, and learn from one another. Strengthening this sense of shared belonging will make Sunnyvale even more resilient and connected.
Ofri Vaisman
Describe your experience working
with historically marginalized
communities. How have your
actions benefited these
communities?
Recently, I became aware of biased and problematic educational content on a website created by teachers at my daughter's high school. Concerned about its potential impact on students and the broader community, I reached out to the school principal and counselor to discuss my concerns.
We held two long, constructive meetings in which I shared specific examples and focused on fostering dialogue rather than assigning blame. The school leadership took the issue seriously, met with the teachers, and made significant changes to the material to ensure it was more balanced and respectful.
This experience reinforced my belief in the power of engagement, empathy, and fact-based dialogue. By approaching the issue collaboratively, we achieved a positive outcome that benefited all students, promoting fairness, understanding, and inclusion. It also deepened my commitment to addressing bias in ways that
strengthen trust and bridge divides.
Demographic Information
Your age
Your gender
Description Area LGBTQIA+ Identity (LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and the “+” is an all-inclusive way to include additional terms used to describe one’s gender, romantic, and sexual identities for those who do not identify with heterosexuality or the gender binary.)
LGBTQIA+ Identity
Race or Ethnicity (select all that
apply)
Do you speak a language other
than English?
Which languages?
Household Income
Residence - Are you a
Do you live in a
Your Agreement
Ofri Vaisman
Description Area IMPORTANT NOTICE – READ BEFORE SIGNING:By selecting both “Yes” and “Submit Form” below I am adding my digital signature to this application. I am also agreeing with the following statements:All statements I have made on this application are true and correct.I authorize the City of Sunnyvale (City) to investigate the accuracy of this information.I release the City from all claims and liabilities arising from such investigation.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application will be grounds for the City to deny my appointment. A false statement discovered later, will be grounds to dismiss me from my appointment at any time.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application could lead to criminal charges. Charges could fall under California Penal Code, Section 115 or other applicable law.
I agree Yes
Your full name Ofri Vaisman
Date Oct 27, 2025
Ofri Vaisman