Policy Council
The Policy Council represents a cross-section of the nonprofit community and serves in a policy advisory capacity to SVCN's CEO and Policy Director.
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Razelle Buenavista
Managing Director HealthRIGHT 360
Razelle Buenavista is the Managing Director for Asian American Recovery Services, a program of HealthRIGHT 360, where she oversees the overall operations for Santa Clara County. For two decades, Razelle has served Asian/Pacific Islander and Latino communities as a social worker and youth advocate. Most notably, she has been an advocate for gender responsive services, and has taken the lead in developing the SISTER-to-SISTER: Celebrating Asian & Pacific Islander Women of Tomorrow Leadership Conference. Her work has led to the development of the Teens Teaching Teens Handbook, and multiple culturally and ethnically specific programs in the San Francisco Bay Area. Razelle attended San Jose State University and College of San Mateo in which she studied Social Work and Addiction Studies.
Dolores Alvarado
CEO Community Health Partnership (CHP)
Ms. Alvarado is an experienced healthcare executive, whose diverse career in health spans over 40 years, including working in a community health center, family planning clinic, county hospital, and university-affiliated adolescent clinic. Most recently, she served as Executive Manager in the Santa Clara County Public Health Department. In the course of her career, she has become known for her ability to bring stakeholders of diverse communities and perspectives to address the root causes of health issues, such as poverty and lack of education. Ms. Alvarado received a Master’s in Public Health in Maternal and Child Health and a Master’s in Social Work with an emphasis in Community Health from the University of California, Berkeley and a California Teaching Credential from the University of San Francisco.
Dana Bunnett
Executive Director Kids in Common
Dana Bunnett joined Kids in Common (KIC) in January 2001. As the executive director of Kids in Common, she has overseen a variety of programs and initiatives all with the goal of improving outcomes for children. Dana coordinates and supports the Santa Clara County Children’s Agenda. The Santa Clara County Children's Agenda moves from data to action by focusing on outcomes for children. Created on the premise, "what gets measured gets done" the Children's Agenda provides a common vision for community leaders, governmental agencies, funders and community-based organizations to work across sectors to improve children's lives by focusing on improving measurable outcomes of child well-being.
Susan Frazer
Associate Executive Director Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley
Susan Fent Frazer is the Regional Director for Community Living Services of Santa Clara County for the Institute on Aging. She has nearly 30 years of experience working for nonprofit community-based organizations that serve senior and disabled populations. Her career has reached both San Francisco and Santa Clara Counties where she has concentrated on key service areas such as case management, senior centers, elder abuse and senior nutrition. Through her role with the Institute on Aging, Susan is able to see first-hand how successful partnerships with health plans can not only lead to positive client outcomes, but provide a sustainable means to create more measurable and effective services. Susan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who holds a B.A. in Social Work from San Francisco State University and a Master’s Degree in Social Welfare from the University of California at Berkeley.
Gregory Kepferle
Chief Executive Officer Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
Gregory Kepferle is CEO of Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County and has worked in the Catholic Charities network for over thirty-two years. Starting his career as Director of the Social Justice Resource Center of Catholic Charities of the East Bay, he became Director of Parish Social Ministry and Assistant Director. Prior to his work in San Jose he was Executive Director of Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Gregory is a member of the American Leadership Forum – Silicon Valley and of Rotary International. Greg has a BA from Saint Louis University, an MA from Loyola - Chicago, and an MDiv from the Jesuit School of Theology.
Elisa Koff-Ginsborg
Executive Director Behavioral Health Contractors' Association (BHCA)
As the first Executive Director of the Behavioral Health Contractors’ Association (BHCA), Elisa Koff-Ginsborg leverages her national policy and local organizing experience, extensive professional training and deep passion to create a strong safety net to support people affected by mental illness and substance use so that they have the same opportunities to fully participate in life as others in our community. With more than 25 years of non-profit and government experience that encompass policy analysis, advocacy, organizing, nonprofit management and direct service as a social worker, Elisa works collaboratively with nonprofit and government leaders. Elisa has a BA from Syracuse University, an MA from the Eagleton Institute at Rutgers University and an MSW from Catholic University of America.
Mary Gloner
Chief Executive Officer Project Safety Net
For over 25 years, Ms. Gloner embarked on a professional path that is committed to addressing the priorities of vulnerable populations and building community capacity. Primarily in the nonprofit and public sectors, Ms. Gloner’s career focused on community health education and promotion, research, health communication, policy, advocacy, training, and administration. Currently, she serves as Chief Executive Officer for Project Safety Net, a collective impact dedicated youth resiliency, mental health promotion, and suicide prevention. She is a first generation college graduate with a Bachelor in Combined Sciences from Santa Clara University along with advanced degrees in public health (MPH from San Jose State University) and business (MBA from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business).
Sarita Kohli
President & Chief Executive Officer Asian Americans for Community Involvement
Sarita Kohli is the President & CEO of AACI, Asian Americans for Community Involvement. AACI is a community-based organization focused on providing culturally sensitive high-quality health and wellness services to underserved populations in Santa Clara County. Sarita is passionate about empowering marginalized individuals and communities, through increasing access to health and wellness services. Her work encompasses many such communities, including victims of domestic violence, individuals with mental illness, survivors of trauma, refugees and low-income immigrant populations. Prior to her current position, Sarita has led AACI’s behavioral health and wellness programs, using her business acumen and compassion to expand access to culturally sensitive services for the neediest in our communities. Sarita holds an MBA and is also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In 2011, Sarita was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to the State Board of Behavioral Sciences, where she is serving her second term. In 2015, Sarita was awarded the Woman of Influence award the Silicon Valley Business Journal. In May 2017, Sarita received a commendation from Congressman Ro Khanna for her work in serving the APA community.
David Low
Director of Policy and Communications Destination: Home
David Low brings more than a decade of public policy and strategic communications experience to Destination: Home’s work to end homelessness in Silicon Valley. Prior to joining Destination: Home, David served as a senior advisor and communications director to San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, where he was intricately involved in the mayor’s efforts to combat Silicon Valley’s homelessness and affordable housing crises. He also spent a number of years working on the team of former Mayor Chuck Reed, as well as in the nonprofit sector, including as marketing and communications director for the YMCA of Silicon Valley and regional communications director for Breathe California. David grew up in Silicon Valley and is an alumnus of UCLA, where he earned a dual bachelor’s degree in political science and communication studies.
Erin O'Brien
President & Chief Executive Officer Community Solutions
Erin O’Brien has been the President & CEO of Community Solutions since 2003. She has devoted her career to meeting the growing and changing needs of South Santa Clara County and the surrounding communities. She is fiercely dedicated to ensuring that children, families, and individuals have the support and services they need to create positive changes in their lives. Erin is active in various county efforts that impact vulnerable and underserved populations. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Erin holds a Master of Social Work degree and a Bachelor's degree in Humanities from San Jose State University.
Eva Terrazas
Vice President Public Policy and Special Initiatives Uplift Family Services
Eva Terrazas currently works at Uplift Family Services where she serves as the Vice President of Public Policy and Special Initiatives. Her focus is in the fields of State and City legislative, government administration, and public policy advising. With her extensive experience in public policy and consulting she has excellent analytical, policy development, strategic thinking, and program management skills. Some of her passions include meaningful community involvement especially relating to sustainability, creating efficiency, ensuring quality programs, and maintaining rigorous administrative oversight. She has proven herself in several fields and positions and is dedicated in her service to the community.
Victor Vasquez
Co-Executive Director SOMOS Mayfair
Victor Duarte-Vasquez migrated to Oakland, CA at the age of 7 from Mexico. Victor is currently one of the Co-Director for SOMOS Mayfair and supports the Organizing and Transformational partnerships work. As part of SOMOS Mayfair and the Si Se Puede Collective, Victor is committed to building a movement that advocates for community decision making, alternative solutions and economic justice in Santa Clara County. Victor holds a master’s degree in Mexican American Studies with an emphasis in education from San Jose State University and a BA in Ethnic Studies from UC Berkeley.
Sujatha Venkatraman
Associate Executive Director West Valley Community Services
Sujatha Venkatraman is currently the Associate Executive Director for West Valley Community Services and oversees their Client Services, Emergency Assistance Network (EAN), Housing and key services. She has been with WVCS since 2008. Previously she worked as the Senior Family Development Specialist for the Little City Foundation and before that she was a Behavioral Specialist for the United Cerebal Palsy of Georgia/South Carolina. In total she has 15 years of non-profit experience in program and policy development, strategic planning, grants and contract management, curriculum development and implementation, and community organization. She has a Masters in Psychology from University of West Georgia, graduate of Leadership San Jose, MSW from Dehli School of Social Work.