2021 Challenge Partners & Endorsements
2021 Challenge Accepted By:
City of San Carlos
Laura Parmer-Lohan, Mayor
Sara McDowell, Vice Mayor
John Dugan, Council Member
Jeff Maltbie, City Manager
Kristina Bell, Chief of Police
Andrea Mardesich, City Planner
Community Foundation of San Carlos
Aparna Ramakrishnan
Jessica Yang
Kristen Clements
Shirley Moore
Susanne Stevens
San Carlos Charter - Anti-Racist Parent Group
Chris Tran
Christine Harris
David Leibowitz
Dena Koren
Elysha Passeggi
Grace Chen
Inga Davis
Jamie Boissevain
Kathleen Murphy
Leigh Casamento
Lorea Martinez
Paige Sarmiento
Paul Laustsen
Sarah Cancilla
San Mateo County
Emma L Gonzalez
Helen Guo
Jasmine Hartenstein
Justin Mates, Deputy County Manager
Marilu Bedolla
Megan Gosch
Melissa Vergara
Priscilla Romero, Health
Sherry Golestan
Shireen Malekafzali
City of Millbrae
Andrea Pappajohn
San Carlos School District
Michelle Harmeier, Superintendent
Annabelle Ortiz
Mindy Hill
Kim Arasato
Sam Wickstrom
Jennifer Pellegrine, Executive Director - San Carlos Charter
Charu Gulati, Tierra Linda MS
Ella Painter, Tierra Linda MS
Jill Nida, Tierra Linda MS
Leah Scholer, White Oaks ES
Nicole Martin, White Oaks ES
Education
Corbie Kiernan, President, Heather School PTA
David Pollack, Arroyo-Central Middle School PTA
Michele Lago, President, Tierra Linda Middle School PTA
Jennifer Rudy, Board President, San Carlos Education Foundation
Kathy Parmer-Lohan, San Carlos Education Foundation
Karen Molinari, Healthy Cities Tutoring
Kerry Folan, Healthy Cities Tutoring
Sarah Cassanego , San Carlos School Board
Wendy Dougherty, San Carlos School District Board Trustee
Margaret Marshall, San Carlos Children’s Theater
Ronald “Dean” Jones, Alliant International University
Nonprofit
Georgia Farooq, Thrive Alliance
Gordy Burton, Museum of San Carlos History
Petra Silton, Thrive Alliance
Rebekah Townsent, Thrive Alliance
science & technology
Amir Deylami, NASA
Christopher Dateo, NASA Ames Research Center
Denise Snow, NASA Ames Research Center
Ehsan Talebi, NASA
Eric Wahl, NASA Ames Research Center
Jennifer Jones, NASA Ames Research Center
Kevin L. Jones, NASA Ames Research Center
Michael DiSanto, NASA
Mike Madson, NASA Ames Research Center
Nicki Rayl, NASA
Health & Human Services
Brenda Nunez, StarVista
Curtis Chan - San Mateo County Health
Cynthia Eagleton, San Mateo Adult School
Jonay Grant, Caminar for Mental Health
Kat Eden, Stanford School of Medicine
Lalitha Sankaran, San Mateo Medical Center
Monica, California Clubhouse
Individuals
Britta K. Ellis
Danielle Cole
DeEtta Finnigan
Ella Potter
Gayle Collins
Heather Hawley
Jean Dehner
Joe Fimiani
Julie Hilborn
Karla Donohoe
Kim Burr
Marisa Gomez
Michelle Huljev
Nathalie Maetzler
Millie Hsi
Mimmi Ballard
Paige Abramson Hirsch
Paige Scott Sarmiento
Rebecca Mock
Sunil James
Susan Raymond
Susan Schoenung
Tiffany Karoe
Velvet Snow
Vikas Chinnan
Wenonah Vercoutere
What motivates you to take this challenge?
“Always looking to educate myself and better understand my own biases and those in our society”
“Building a coalition of allies in San Carlos”
“To keep unpacking and learning"!
“Want to make our greater community a safe and welcoming place for all.”
“Curiosity. Interested to see how this approach compares to the many diversity training and workshops I have taken over the last 20+ years.”
“I want to be part of the solution in combatting racism in our community, increasing the understanding and dialogue around these issues is a start”
“Better reflect on my privilege.”
“It's long past time.”
“This issue is very important to me.”
“I want to be a better ally.”
“I am eager to learn more so I can work for change.”
“continued education - learning more about racial equity and acting as an anti-racist is something we must do every day”
“We are at point of reckoning about inequities and race in our country. A year after George Floyd's death and a year after Covid illuminated the systemic discrimination that leads to disparities, we all must take part in being anti-racist instead of simply, "not racist".”
“I am constantly trying to figure out how to do more to combat racism and racial inequity in our community and beyond. I know it starts with a better understanding of how I think, my own privilege, and how to take real action.”
“As a teacher, been on this journey for a while now and learned a great deal from the administrative credential program at the SMCOE this past year. I’d like to continue learning to be a more equitable teacher, leader and citizen of the world.”
“I want to better understand others' experiences and perspectives. I want to learn about any bias I may have and how I can teach my kids to walk through the world being anti-racists.”
“I want to learn so I can help move our society forward!”
“I want systemic change so all can live the American Dream”
“To be able to learn as much as I can.”
“We all need to do better, and if I want better for my community I need to start with me.”
“Increase my knowledge and understanding of systemic racism and bias.”
“This is work that we ALL must do to make any meaningful change in our currently broken system.”
“To understand the issue and my own bias”
“Support for, and interest in, racial equity”
“I thought it would help me learn something about myself”
“Building community with my colleagues while building awareness and my capacity for action against racism”
“To hold myself accountable to take action each day to be an anti-racist and avoid complacency”
“self-reflection and personal growth - I can always do and be better”
“To continue to learn more about all of these topics to be a better parent, community member, and coach.”
“I am on the DEI Steering Committee of the San Carlos School District and I look forward to deeper reflection personally and learning about resources on being anti-racist.”
“Ability to move further in my own learning and lead the journey towards equity for our patients and communities.”
“Working to be antiracist and a better ally.”
“Community and personal engagement towards taking regular, permanent and impactful action.”
“My interest in learning more as a white person and as an educator responsible for ensuring my families, students, staff and teachers feel seen and included.”
“frustration with all of the racial injustice in our country and knowing I don't have the same concerns. I want to know how to reach out and help others that struggle.”
“I need to do my part to educate myself so I can be a positive force for anti-racism and equity in my community.”
“To make the world a better place.”
“Learn more about structural inequities in our society.”
“I am about to begin a new role as a school counselor, and I think this challenge will give me important information and new perspectives that will allow me to address the needs of all community members with increased insight and sensitivity.”
“Learning more about how to unlearn bias and work for equity strengthens me as a human, family and community member, and educator.”
“To model and prepare my students to be solutionaries for a better world.”
“Desire for greater equity and to be part of progress toward that goal.”
“Racial/Social Justice. I would like to to participate and be an agent of action and change in order to see fairness and equity within my community and especially in San Carlos.”
“Interested in learning more about diversity, equity and inclusion".
“This challenge compliments our (California Clubhouse) Social Justice Collaborative.” — “Mental Health is a form of privilege.”
“Becoming more aware!”
“I would like to learn how to be a better ally and advocate for needed social change and reform.”
“Racism and social inequities affect public health.”
“15 months of pandemic have heightened my awareness of inequality and implicit biases that exist in our society.”
“to learn more, and to participate with others on the path of learning which will facilitate conversations”
”Strengthening our community and standing up against hate!”
”Learn and understand local equity issues”
“eager to try something new that will benefit All”
“I want to learn more about equity issues so I can be part of the solution.”
“I always feel that I can learn more about racial issues and want to find new resources.”