Form Name: Boards and Commissi
Unique ID: 1395100190
Applicant Information
Name Shani Zafary
Are you a Sunnyvale resident? Yes
How long have you lived in
Sunnyvale?
9 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 94086-7550
Email
Phone
Are you currently a registered
voter in Sunnyvale?
Yes
When was the last time you
voted? Month/Year
00/0000
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 attended virtually several meetings during the COVID-19 period.
By attending these meetings, I gained insight into how Council members balance diverse community needs, legal requirements, and evolving public health guidance. I saw how public comment and staff reports inform policy decisions. One area I believe could be improved is community communication and engagement.
During periods of rapid change, many residents struggled to understand the rationale behind decisions or how to provide timely input. Increasing proactive communication, streamlining agenda materials for clarity, and offering more structured opportunities for community feedback would help build trust and enable more inclusive participation.
Shani Zafary
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 am motivated to serve in order to help ensure that the diverse communities in Sunnyvale are meaningfully represented and engaged in civic life. Our city is home to a growing population with a wide range of cultural, religious, and community identities, including long-standing communities whose needs and
perspectives are often nuanced and not always well understood. I believe that thoughtful representation, grounded in empathy, lived experience, and active community engagement, is essential to building a stronger, more connected city.
I hope to contribute to that effort by fostering dialogue, promoting inclusion, and helping create an environment where all residents feel seen, valued, and supported. Community well-being and social cohesion are foundational to a thriving city, and I am deeply committed to advancing those goals.
Shani Zafary
What skills or attributes can you
bring to this board or
commission?
In my professional career, I have served in operational leadership roles that require strategic coordination, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to bring stakeholders together around shared goals. I have a strong track record of building bridges across diverse groups, improving communication, and influencing outcomes through partnership rather than authority.
In my personal life, I have been deeply engaged in community service, including serving as the head of the PTA at our children's school. In that role, I helped strengthen community engagement, support the needs of diverse families, and build programs that fostered inclusion and belonging. These experiences have equipped me with the ability to listen, understand nuanced perspectives, and implement practical solutions that serve the broader good.
I bring a combination of strategic thinking, empathy, community building, and operational excellence that I believe will be an asset to the board.
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 effectively serve in this advisory role, I would begin by being fully informed and prepared, carefully reviewing staff reports, data, and background materials to ensure my recommendations are grounded in facts and long-term implications.
I would actively engage stakeholders and listen to community input to understand diverse perspectives and ensure the board's advice reflects the needs and concerns of residents. I believe in using critical thinking and balanced judgment, considering equity, fiscal responsibility, community impact, and practicality, while remaining objective and solutions-oriented.
Collaboration is essential, and I would work constructively with fellow commissioners to build consensus and engage in
respectful, thoughtful deliberation.
Throughout the process, I would prioritize transparency, accountability, and clear communication so that
recommendations are aligned with the City's goals and provide meaningful advice to the City Council.
Education – List college degrees,
majors and any relevant training
or experience that demonstrates
your ability to effectively serve
on this board or commission.
Bachelor of Law (2004-2009); Reichman University.
Winner of the Society for Medicine and Law in Israel award for outstanding academic research.
Bachelor of Science, Biology (2001-2004); Tel Aviv University Shani Zafary
Describe your involvement in
community activities, volunteer
and civic organizations.
I have been actively engaged in community life through both formal and informal participation. Most notably, I served in leadership within our school's PTA, where I helped organize programs, support families, and strengthen community
engagement across diverse groups. In addition to my leadership role, I attend City Civic meetings as a listener to stay informed about local issues and decisions impacting residents. These experiences have allowed me to understand community needs, participate in civic dialogue, and contribute to building a more connected and responsive community.
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
Shani Zafary
What do you think are major
equity challenges facing the
Sunnyvale community?
Sunnyvale is a diverse and rapidly growing community, and with that growth come complex equity challenges. One major
challenge is ensuring equal access to resources and services, such as housing, transportation, education, and community programs-across different socioeconomic, cultural, and linguistic communities. Additionally, as our population becomes more multicultural, it is essential that all residents feel represented, safe, and included in civic spaces, regardless of background or identity.
Another challenge is awareness and accessibility. Some
community members are not fully informed about available services or do not feel comfortable participating in public processes. Building trust, increasing outreach, and designing programs that reflect the needs of all residents are key steps toward advancing equity. Ultimately, addressing these challenges requires intentional listening, inclusive policymaking, and proactive engagement to ensure that everyone in Sunnyvale has the opportunity to thrive.
Describe your experience working
with historically marginalized
communities. How have your
actions benefited these
communities?
In my professional career, I have worked directly to advance equity and bridge socioeconomic gaps through my role as a Project Manager at the Yuvalim Voluntary Association, a nonprofit focused on promoting equal opportunity in education for historically marginalized communities in Israel. In this capacity, I led strategic initiatives aimed at expanding access to educational resources in underserved areas, tripling the organization's reach and impact. I collaborated with community leaders, donors, and partner institutions to secure funding and support services for disadvantaged populations, while also leading outreach programs designed to increase participation from communities that had traditionally been excluded from such opportunities.
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
Shani Zafary
Race or Ethnicity (select all that
apply)
Short Answer
Do you speak a language other
than English?
Which languages?
Household Income
Residence - Are you a
Do you live in a
Do you have any other identities*
you would like to share with us?
Your Agreement
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 Shani Zafary
Date Oct 27, 2025
Shani Zafary