#SAMCEDAontheMove - March 2025

March brought events that focused on connection, education, and celebration.

Here are the highlights:

Check out #SAMCEDAonTheMove to see past events and activities. 

Rotary Club of San Mateo’s Meeting

SAMCEDA’s President and CEO, Rosanne, served as a speaker for the Rotary Club of San Mateo’s meeting at the Coyote Point Yacht Club in San Mateo.

She presented the history and purpose of SAMCEDA, focusing on its impact through connections, collaborations, and convenings.


[ SAMCEDA's Rosanne Foust presenting to the Rotary Club of San Mateo ]
(Photo provided by the Rotary Club of San Mateo)


[ The Rotary Club of San Mateo presented a commemorative paperweight as a token of their appreciation of the presentation ]

Joint Venture Silicon Valley’s 2025 State of the Valley

Each year, Joint Venture Silicon Valley hosts the State of the Valley event to present its research on Silicon Valley’s challenges and opportunities. 

The 2025 State of the Valley event took place at San José State University’s Diaz Compean Student Union in San José, bringing together elected officials and industry leaders where Joint Venture Silicon Valley’s President & CEO presents the latest statistics and insights from the 2025 Silicon Valley Index.

The New York Times’ Columnist and PBS NewsHour’s Commentator, David Brooks, served as this year’s keynote speaker where he shared his thoughts on the current political climate.

Additional perspectives on various topics were provided by the following speakers:

The recording of the show can be found here (on Joint Venture Silicon Valley’s YouTube page).

To view the 2025 Silicon Valley Index, please click here.


[ The 2025 State of the Valley was held at San José State University’s 
Diaz Compean Student Union in San José ]


[ Joint Venture Silicon Valley’s Russ Hancock welcoming the attendees ]


[ The 2025 Silicon Valley Index offered a comprehensive look at the latest trends and data shaping the region's future ]


[ This year’s keynote speaker was David Brooks, columnist for
The New York Times and commentator for PBS NewsHour ]

 

Nuts For Candy & Toys’ 30th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting Celebration

Nuts for Candy & Toys is been a beloved store in Burlingame, providing a sweet escape for both kids and adults with a variety of candies and toys.

Small business owners, John and Nora Kevranian, marked their 30th anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at their storefront. Joined by elected officials, community leaders, and loyal customers came together to celebrate this significant milestone.

A video recap of the celebration can be found on Nuts for Candy & Toys’ Facebook post.

[ SAMCEDA’s Rosanne Foust celebrated this sweet milestone with 
Nuts for Candy & Toys’ Nora & John Kevranian]


[ The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place outside Nuts for Candy & Toys, 
with the community cheering in support ]

KQED & Asian American Journalists Association San Francisco Bay Area’s Hella Asian: Bridging the Bay

The community gathered at KQED’s headquarters in San Francisco for Hella Asian: Bridging the Bay to celebrate culture and connection. 

Hosted by KQED and the Asian American Journalists Association San Francisco Bay Area (AAJA - SF Bay Area), the fundraiser supports Bay Area Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) journalists and newsroom diversity.

The dynamic event included journalists, musicians, and comedians who shared their stories and honored the Asian American experience in the Bay Area, with performances and discussions featuring:

Additionally, attendees were treated to tasty foods from Oken and Bake Sum, complemented by refreshing drinks provided by NORIA Wines and Match Point Brewing.

The recording of the show can be found here (at KQED Live’s YouTube page).

For upcoming KQED Live events, check out the list here.


[  The event was hosted by AAJA - SF Bay Area’s President 
and KTVU Fox 2 News’ Emmy-award winning reporter, Jana Katsuyama ]


[ This fundraiser was proudly sponsored by Comcast, Comcast Business, and Xfinity  ]


[ Following the show, Xfinity generously gifted cell phone 
power bank chargers to all attendees, along with a special promotional offer ]

Skyline College’s President's Breakfast

Elected officials, community and business leaders, alongside students and faculty, gathered for Skyline College’s President’s Breakfast at The Farallon Room in Skyline College in San Bruno. 

The annual fundraiser supports the President’s Innovation Fund (PIF), which funds innovative programs and services aimed at enhancing student success. 

This year’s event highlighted the RIDE Conference* as a key program supported by PIF (by showcasing a video of the unique conference).

High school students and community members who attended the RIDE Conference had the unique opportunity to explore how their passion for lowriding can open doors to academic and career opportunities, inspiring a path of pride, creativity, and success. They engaged in cultural & educational workshops and career panels covering diverse fields in S.T.E.A.M.(Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) and business.

*RIDE stands for Realize Our True Potential. Identify Our Goals. Develop a Plan. Explore


[ South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce & President’s Council Vice Chair, Mary Prem, and Classic Bowling Center & President Council’s Chair, Matt DeVincenzi, kicked off the program by welcoming attendees ]


[ The event was held at The Farallon Room in Skyline College in San Bruno ]

KQED’s The Flavors of the Levant 

Culinary enthusiasts and foodies gathered for KQED’s The Flavors of the Levant event at their headquarters in San Francisco. 

The show delved into the rich heritage, cultural traditions, and essential ingredients of Levantine cuisine through an engaging panel discussion featuring:

Each speaker also led a cooking demonstration, followed by a tasting experience where guests sampled all the dishes showcased.

The recording of the show can be found here (at KQED Live’s YouTube page).

For upcoming KQED Live events, check out the list here.


[ Left to right: Feast in the Middle East YouTube Channel / Feast in the Middle East / NBC’s California Live’s Blanche Aran Shaheen, Beit Rima’s Samir Mogannam, Mazra’s Saif Makableh, KQED’s Beyond the Menu / Cecilia Tries It / Check, Please! Bay Area's Cecilia Philips ]


[ After the cooking demonstration, guests were treated to delicious samples of each dish of: (from left to right) Chef Saif Makableh’s Yalangi, Chef Samir Mogannam’s Musakhan, and Blanche Aran Shaheen’s Khiar Ib Laban ]


[ This KQED Live event was sponsored by Comcast Business, Genentech,
and the San Francisco Symphony ]

County of San Mateo’s Louise Rogers' Retirement Sendoff

Louise Rogers was celebrated by elected officials, community leaders, and County of San Mateo & San Mateo County Health staff, as she prepares for her next chapter in retirement.

Held at Regional Operations Center in Redwood City, the celebration included heartfelt speeches with acknowledgement & appreciation of her leadership as Health Chief.


[ Left to right: Louise Rogers, Jean Fraser (former Health Chief), and Colleen Chawla
(the newly appointed Health Chief of San Mateo County Health) ]


[ Louise Rogers delivered a moving speech, expressing her gratitude and reflections ]
(Photos provided by San Mateo County Health)

San Mateo County Transit District’s 'Women’s History Month' Speaker Panel

In honor of Women’s History Month, the San Mateo County Transit District’s Empowering Women in Transit Employee Resource Group (EWIT ERG), hosted an inspiring speaker panel to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in the transit industry and its partner organizations.

“Moving Forward Together: Women Educating and Inspiring Generations” was this year’s theme, featuring the following speakers:

Each panelist shared insights from their unique career journeys, offering powerful stories of overcoming challenges and breaking through barriers. They discussed the pivotal role of mentorship in their growth and highlighted the importance of building strong, collaborative relationships to drive success and progress.


[ From left to right: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) & Conference for Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO)'s Beverly Greene, Burns Engineering & American Public Transportation Association (APTA)’s Alva Carrasco, and SAMCEDA’s Rosanne Foust ]


[ San Mateo County Transit District’s Empowering Women in Transit Employee Resource Group (EWIT ERG) alongside the speakers ]

(Photos provided by San Mateo County Transit District)

San Mateo Small Business Development Center’s 
Capital & Growth Summit: Scaling Women’s Ventures with Capital & Community

Business owners and entrepreneurs gathered at the San Mateo Public Library for the San Mateo Small Business Development Center (SBDC)’s Capital & Growth Summit: Scaling Women’s Ventures with Capital & Community. 

The event provided an exciting opportunity for networking, knowledge-sharing, and empowering women entrepreneurs to expand their ventures with the support of capital and community resources.


[ SAMCEDA’s Rosanne Foust was the keynote speaker for the event ]


[ During the Q&A session, small business owners and entrepreneurs had the valuable opportunity to engage with lenders, asking insightful questions and gaining expert advice from: (left to right) TMC Community Capitals' Christian Magallon, Marble Bridge Funding Group's Andrew Krone, BMO's Moises Valencia, U.S. Small Business Administration's Chris Horton, Working Solutions CDFI's Anita Russell, City National Bank's Nina Lang, and CDC Small Business Finance's Mike Dang ]


[ The event was catered by Chef Maritza Hurtado’s Batea Colombian Cuisine & Catering, with desserts provided by Pastry Chef Eva Zermeño of Rustic Postres ]


[ After the program, attendees had the opportunity to connect with various lenders and learn more about the support available for small businesses ]

Hillsdale Reimagined’s Community Open House

Hillsdale Shopping Center has been a central hub for shopping, dining, and community gatherings for decades. As the retail landscape evolves, a new opportunity is emerging to better meet the changing needs of the community through the initiative, Hillsdale Reimagined.

For the last few years, Hillsdale Reimagined has engaged with over 8,200 people to gather valuable input to help shape its vision.

The public was invited to hear the latest project updates on the future of the mall through a Community Open House held at Pinstripes in San Mateo. Community members received an overview of the future plan and connected with the Hillsdale Reimagine team. 


[ The signage outside Pinstripes made it easy for anyone 
to engage and be part of the conversation ]


[ Reimagining Hilldale’s engagement process, community feedback, project vision, and more were thoughtfully showcased, offering a comprehensive view of the exciting changes ahead ]


[ San Mateo’s planning and policies were highlighted,
emphasizing the key goals of related initiatives and offering a glimpse into the thoughtful strategies driving the city’s future ]


[ Community members had the chance to connect directly with the Reimagine Hillsdale team and Hillsdale Shopping Center leadership, engaging in meaningful
one-on-one conversations  ]

San Francisco Business Times’s Real Estate Deals of the Year Awards

The San Francisco Business Times holds their Real Estate Deals of the Year each year to celebrate the Bay Area’s most ambitious, groundbreaking, and creative real estate deals. 

Held at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, this year’s event honored 2024’s most significant transactions. 

The ceremony recognized Sares Regis Group of Northern California and AFL-CIO Building Investment Trust’s Celeste South San Francisco development, along with SamTrans’ lease for its new headquarters at Gateway at Millbrae Station, and other notable deals. 

For a list of all the awardees, please click here.


[ Congratulations to all the Real Estate Deals of the Year honorees ]


[ San Francisco Business Times’ Publisher and Bay Area Market President,
Pete Casillas, and Editor-in-Chief, Jim Gardner, greeted guests to the ceremony ]


[ Sares Regis Group of Northern California and AFL-CIO Building Investment Trust’s multifamily complex development, Celeste South San Francisco, was an awardee  ]


[ Following the ceremony, guests mingled during the networking reception ]

Assemblymember Diane Papan’s 2nd Annual Women’s Power Breakfast

Assemblymember Diane Papan held the 2nd Annual Women’s Power Breakfast at The Farallon Building at Skyline College in San Bruno.

The event offered women a chance to connect and hear from inspiring leaders through the engaging panel discussion, "Powerful Women Leading the New Frontier," which focused on the growth and evolution of bioscience, technology, AI, and media in today's landscape, featuring:

Additionally, the City of Burlingame’s Councilmember Donna Colson was named Woman of the Year for her contributions to the community.


[ Left to right: Assemblymember Diane Papan, Interact and San Mateo Daily Journal’s Annie Tsai, Mainspring Energy’s Shannon Miller, Genentech’s Stephany Rogness, and Prozan Strategies’ Rebecca Prozan ]


[ Assemblymember Diane Papan presenting Woman of the Year
to the City of Burlingame’s Councilmember Donna Colson ]

Check out #SAMCEDAonTheMove to see past events and activities.