Women are changing the political world in ever increasing numbers, from the local to national scale. Join our conversation with four influential women who are helping to shape our communities, our businesses, and our lives.

NAWBO-SV Member & Guests of Member:  $55
General & Non-member:  $70

• Full buffet dinner will be served.
• No host cash bar will be available
• Due to breathing disability present, no animals will be allowed in the event.
• Parking is free after 5:30 pm with validation from Silicon Valley Capital Club

Guest Speakers:

Pam Foley, San Jose City Council Member, District 9
Pam Foley is a San José Council member representing Council District 9. In addition to owning a small business, she formerly served on the San José Unified School District Board for 14 years, including 3 terms as president. In her role on the San José City Council, Council member Foley is committed to advocating for a community that is affordable, safe, and vibrant for all residents.

https://www.facebook.com/CouncilmemberPamFoley/

Madison Nguyen, Executive Vice President, The Silicon Valley Organization
Madison Nguyen, former San Jose Vice Mayor, is now the Executive Vice President of The Silicon Valley Organization, formerly the San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce. She is responsible for driving the organization’s public policy, advocacy, political action, economic and community development strategies and tactics.
Madison obtained both undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of California, Santa Cruz; and the University of Chicago. She published her first book, “Vietnam to America: My Journey of Dreams” in 2012.

In 2002, Madison ran for and won a seat on the Franklin-McKinley Board of Education and became the first Vietnamese American woman elected to public office in California.

In 2005, Madison was elected to the San Jose City Council, and made history as the city’s first Vietnamese American council member. Madison served as Vice Mayor of San Jose from 2011 to 2014.

https://www.thesvo.com

Cindy Chavez, Santa Clara County Supervisor
Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez is the vice president of the board of supervisors and represents more than a half million people in East, Central and South San Jose. She serves on numerous Bay Area boards including the Caltrain Board of Directors, as incoming chair of the Valley Transportation Authority, the Association of Bay Area Governments and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

• Her visionary policies include everything from affordable housing, making Santa Clara County the first in the state to expedite the processing of rape kits to 30 days, bail reform, improved services for foster children, health care for all children and an extensive women’s agenda and policies surrounding sexual assault, human trafficking, domestic violence that has put Santa Clara County on the map. She is also leading a year-long campaign for the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote focusing on voter registration and accurate Census 2020 numbers.

In one of the nation’s most expensive housing markets, Supervisor Chavez was the primary architect and campaign leader for the successful $950-million dollar Santa Clara County housing bond passed by voters in November 2016. In our first year-and-a-half the county is already at 30 percent of our goal in six cities. There are already hundreds of units of new housing under construction which will house and support people who are homeless, mentally ill, disabled, seniors and veterans. In addition, a new first-time home buyer program was launched in early Fall 2018 to help get more people their own house.

• Since land to build affordable housing is so scarce, Supervisor Chavez has proposed a creative, new partnership with area school districts and community colleges to explore ways to build affordable homes on their land.
• Under Chavez’s leadership, the county developed the nation’s third LGBTQ-focused homeless shelter in San Jose for youth, many of whom have been kicked out of their homes. It is equipped with beds, showers and meals for LGBTQ youth and adults.

http://www.sccgov.org/sites/d2

Maya Esparza, San Jose City Council

Maya grew up in San José and has made a lifetime commitment to fighting for the community and solving problems. The daughter of teachers in San José, her family instilled in her the importance of education, hard work, and community service, and she has many memories of attending public meetings and helping with her parents’ community organizing. She spent her youth volunteering for nonprofits and helping build community in San José. After graduating from Mills College with a B.A. in Anthropology, Maya continued her education at San José State University, earning her Master’s in Public Administration. She later returned to SJSU to teach in the same program.

Passionate about community empowerment, Maya’s has experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Prior to her election to the City Council, Maya launched and led the All The Way Home campaign to end veteran homelessness in Santa Clara County at local nonprofit Destination: Home.  In 2012, Maya was elected as a trustee on the Franklin-McKinley School District Board, and is also a former Commissioner on the Community Development Block Grant Commission at the City of San José, was the founding Board President for Latinas Contra Cancer, and on the boards of the Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County and Operation: Care and Comfort, a local nonprofit serving military, veterans, and their families.

Maya’s previous government experience includes several years working for Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and as a Chief of Staff to a City Council member fighting for safe neighborhoods, helping residents resolve issues and supporting our businesses. She continues her role as a tireless advocate for her community and problem solver as District 7’s San José City Council member.​