Seth Steward is an Assistant District Attorney in the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office assigned to the Bayview Police Station for the Crime Strategies Unit. He has been in the office over 10 years and has prepared and tried over 60 jury trials throughout his career.
Mr. Steward taught criminal law at City College of San Francisco and a duel enrollment course at Oakland Technical High School and Merritt College. Concurrently, Mr. Steward serves as a Special Missions Aviator in the United States Air Force. He is a Flight Engineer on a Combat Search and Rescue Helicopter at the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard. Mr. Steward deployed to Iraq in 2018.
Before becoming an attorney, Mr. Steward was Director of San Francisco’s Small Business Commission, and served as Fiscal and Policy Analyst for the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Finance and Legislative Affairs.
Mr. Steward received his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government. He earned his Juris Doctor from the George Washington University Law School and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy from Occidental College.
Mark Bosuego is a Regional Manager for Aircraft Tech Ops for Alaska Airlines. He began his aviation career over 27 years ago and has been with Alaska Airlines for almost 22 years. Mark currently oversees and manages aircraft maintenance operations in 5 airports throughout Northern and Southern California.
Mark is a native of the Bay Area, and grew up in Vallejo, California. He is a graduate of U.C. Davis with degrees in Political Science and Psychology, and after graduation, Mark followed his passion for aviation, and enlisted in the United States Air Force. He received training as an aircraft technician and served with distinction for over 11 years active duty and reserves.
Mark was deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during the first Gulf War, and served with the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air Nation Guard, and 142 Fighter Wing, Oregon Air National Guard.
Mark continues to pursue his love of aviation as an adjunct faculty instructor for the College of Alameda. He has been teaching since 2017 and participates in numerous outreach events to promote the airline industry and the Aviation Maintenance Technology program at College of Alameda.
Robyn Fisher, Ed.D is President of the Advisory Board for Choose College Educational Foundation, Inc.® and President and C.E.O. of R.T. Fisher Educational Enterprises, Inc. (RTF). Since founding RTF in 1999, Dr. Fisher has subsequently co-founded and chaired an umbrella of initiatives directed towards academic excellence in the Bay Area’s communities of color, including both The African American Regional Educational Alliance, Inc. (AAREA), and The Choose College Educational Foundation, Inc. (CCEF).
As an independent consultant, Dr. Fisher has lent her expertise to a number of federal, state, and local educational programs, including but not limited to TRIO programs, ARCHES i3SLOPE and ACCESS Math Initiatives, California GEAR UP, the Ronald McNair Scholars Program, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and both the University of California and California State University systems. She currently is the Governor’s appointee to the California Reading and Literature Advisory Board and served two terms as the Senate’s appointee to the Statewide Pupil Assessment Review Panel.
Prior to founding RTF, Dr. Fisher began her career as a legislative fellow with the California State Senate; going on to serve as a community legislative aide to San Jose Mayor, Susan Hammer; a budget analyst under the mentorship of City Manager, Regina Williams; an Associate Director of San Jose State University’s Pre-College Programs and the Director of the San Jose California Student Opportunity and Access Program. Dr. Fisher holds an M.P.A. from San Jose State University in San Jose, CA, and a B.A., M.Ed., and Ed. D. from Mills College in Oakland.
Sally Swanson is CEO and founding principal of Sally Swanson Architects. With 40 years of architectural experience to draw upon, Sally has established herself as an influential practitioner whose work is shaping the industry’s response to issues of accessibility and Universal Design. Leading her own award-winning firm since 1980, she has created spaces of exceptional functionality and empathic connection.
A steady focus on educational design for the majority of her career has inspired a special proficiency in the creation of exceptional learning environments that enrich the experience of teachers as well as students. One of Sally’s greatest strengths lies in helping clients define their specific needs and future goals, a process made possible by the channels of communication she establishes among team members, project stakeholders, and members of the community. Ms. Swanson sees each project as the practice of translating those goals into a built structure that creates a sense of humanity and enduring identity.
With a Master’s degree from Columbia University in Urban Design and Planning, Sally is insightful in seeing the big picture perspective. She has been an active presenter on a variety of design and access topics for the Coalition of Adequate School Housing (CASH), the Community College Facility Coalition (CCFC), the California Charter School Conference, and the Transportation Research Board (TRB). She is a member of the Global Universal Design Commission and serves on the Division of the State Architect Advisory Board Access Committee.
Patricia Brooks is an Oakland native, is a US Naval Veteran and skilled human resources/public policy C-Suite leader with over 20 years experience developing, implementing and directing initiatives in the public and private sectors for large and complex organizations.
Patricia has worked extensively in the political arena working on various campaign and public policy measures and issues. Her most recent assignment was serving as the Head Cannabis, Hemp & Technology Policy Advisor for the Alameda County Board of Supervisor, Nate Miley.
Patricia is a frequent speaker on matters involving Diversity and Inclusion and leveling the playing field. As a graduate of the Vets in Tech program, she has become a strong advocate for program development, results-based accountability and designing topographies for funding technology programs in disadvantaged communities.
Patricia has been lauded for being a strong relationship builder. She has worked with the premier law firms, foundations and governmental bodies to build strategic partnerships throughout the state of California. Patricia recognizes without strong partnerships and aligned goals, most programs fail. Having a strong, grounded presence in the community has been a value-add for the work that Patricia has accomplished.
Taison Kwamiele is an Oakland native. She attended Oakland public school and later graduated from Oakland School for the Arts as a member of the inaugural class. She began her collegiate experience at Fisk University but later transferred and graduated from Howard University with a B.A in English in 2011. She then received her Master’s in Journalism from UC Berkeley in 2013. Tasion immediately began serving as a reporter for the Oakland Post where she covered politics and entertainment. In 2015, Taison become the District Communications Manager for Congresswoman Barbara Lee.
Since 2018, Tasion serves as the Director of Corporate Branding and Community Engagement for California Waste Solutions. Understanding the power of opportunity, Tasion is passionate about ensuring all youth, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds, have access to both educational and professional development opportunities. She current serves on the Board of Directors for SPAAT, a non-profit organization that works to prepare Oakland’s student-athletes for college, careers, and life after sports. Tasion has also served as the youth director at First AME Oakland since 2011.
Andre Chambers serves as Vice President of People Operations, and in this role he leads the club’s people strategy, focused on attracting, retaining, and developing world-class talent. Chambers joined the A’s with 20 years of experience in human resources across the technology/entertainment industries with a variety of leading companies, including Electronic Arts (EA), Microsoft, and IBM. Chambers established and led the corporate and executive recruiting function at EA, focused on hiring critical talent across several businesses. Chambers also previously served as the Head of Global Diversity & Inclusion for EA, where he helped the company earn an Innovation in Diversity Award from the Diversity Journal. In addition to EA, Chambers held relevant leadership roles in talent and HR with Microsoft, Citigroup, IBM, and most recently at R/GA as the Global Head of Talent. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York (Fredonia) and a master’s degree from Clarkson University
Joseph Simmons became Pastor of Greater St. Paul Church in Oakland in 1994. As a community leader, it has been his deep commitment to encourage individuals to reach their highest potential. In partnership with civic allies, community organizations, public officials and other faith leaders, he has worked tirelessly to improve the social outcomes for the under-resourced residents in the Oakland area.
Joseph Simmons earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science (International Law) and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Kansas State University. He attended Howard University School of Law and The School of Theology, Virginia Union University of Richmond, VA, graduating with honors and a Master of Divinity Degree. He completed a Doctorate from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio with a concentration in Urban Economics.
Simmons is an executive committee member for the 100 Black Men of the Bay Area and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
Sean is an Oakland native and resident who went to Merritt College before transferring to UC Santa Cruz and studying Mathematics. He has over 12 years of IT experience and currently serves as a Project Manager for Robust Network Solutions. He was previously Director of IT for McGuire Real Estate. In his free time, Sean enjoys playing and watching soccer, traveling the world (he recently visited Egypt and Scotland), and hiking through the many scenic spots the Bay Area has to offer.
