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Member Biographies

Teresa Proaño, Chair

Teresa Proaño was born in San Francisco and has lived in Daly City all her life where she and her husband have raised their family. She currently works as the assistant to the president for Duggan’s Serra Mortuary, the largest family-owned funeral home in Northern California. As an employee with Duggan’s, she has been active in various outreach programs, generously supporting the community.

A graduate with honors from Skyline College in 1999, two of her three children also attended Skyline College. Her daughter, Melissa, transferred to UC Davis and is currently completing her studies at SF State; her son, Esteban transferred to UCLA, class of 2009. Her oldest son Nick is a graduate of UC Berkeley, class of 2003.  She has served three years as chair of  Skyline College President's Council and and three years as a co-chair of the Breakfast Committee.

Teresa currently participates as a member on the following boards and commissions: commissioner on the Daly City Planning Commission; past chair and vice-chair of the Daly City Recreation Commission; committee member on Seton Medical Center Foundation; Daly City Host Lions Club; vice-president, Hillside Homeowners Association; and vice president on the North Peninsula Food Pantry and Dining Center of Daly City. She has also served a number of years as a board member of the Daly City-Colma Chamber of Commerce.

Eloisa Briones

Eloisa Briones retired from SMCCCD as Skyline College's VP Administrative Services in December 2021. Ms. Briones continues to support some college programs as a volunteer and advisor.

Eloisa Briones has been a resident of San Bruno since 1980. She and her husband Paul are CPAs and have 3 children (Christina, Paolo & Emma).

Eloisa began working for the District in 1994 and transferred to Skyline College in 1997. She has seen the transformation and growth of the college under different leaderships. Prior to her employment at SMCCCD, she served in various roles in the profit and non-profit sectors, including the United Way of the Bay Area as their Accounting Manager.

She has been an active member of the Women's Ministries at Church of the Highlands and the International Christian Center.

Eloisa earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration & Accountancy degree from the University of the Philippines. She is a Certified Public Accountant in California & the Philippines.

Over her tenure at Skyline College, Eloisa has served as the college's chief finance & operations officer under 7 College Presidents (2 of them Interim). She is very knowledgeable about the College's and District's policies and procedures, and knows a lot of the history since the inception of the President's Council, including the college programs and activities that the President's Council funded through the President's Innovation Funds.

Eloisa has demonstrated a passion to support the students, faculty, staff and community. She continues to support the college's programs through participation in various activities and events.

Eloisa served as a member of the Daly City Public Library Associates for 2 terms.

Denise Brown

Denise Brown has worked for the City of Daly City in Recreation Services for the past 33 years. She started with the City in May of 1990 as a part-time employee and in 1996 she became full-time and worked her way up into her current position as the Recreation Services Manager. She has worked in all aspects of Recreation and loves to serve the Daly City community!

Denise received a degree in Human Movement with an emphasis in Physical Education from San Francisco State University in May of 1990. She put her schooling to work for her at both her Recreation positions and with the Jefferson Elementary School District as a Physical Education aide up through June of 1999.

When Denise is not working for her community, she loves to "just chill" and hang out with her family and friends. She loves making a difference in the lives of others and loves to make people smile and laugh. She grew up in the Daly City community and attended Junipero Serra Elementary School, Southwood Junior High and El Camino High School. She is a blanket award winner at El Camino and believes that this is what started her passion to serve her community.

She loves her family and friends and enjoys every day to the fullest, knowing that nothing should ever be taken for granted!

Denise has worked with youth through seniors her entire career and it is her passion. She loves to be a part of growing the young people into the next leaders of tomorrow. The impact she makes is ever present in her day-to-day life and she hopes that she can continue to make a difference in her Daly City community.

In the past Denise has served on different committees within the Daly City community: Daly City Partnership past board member, Daly City Youth Health Center past Advisory Council member

David Canepa

David Canepa is a proud fourth-generation San Mateo County resident and lives in Daly City with his wife Ana and young son Piero. His extensive experience in public service includes serving two terms on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and as mayor and councilmember on the Daly City Council.

David serves on several regional boards and commissions tasked with improving traffic congestion and its impacts on the environment including the Metropolitan Transportation Commission & SamTrans.

He also serves on the San Mateo Medical Center and Health Plan of San Mateo boards with a mission to improve health outcomes for all county residents.

Dr. Rod Daus-Magbual

Dr. Rod Daus-Magbual is an educator, father, husband, and Council Member for Daly City where he served as Mayor in 2022. He is the Executive Director of an award-winning Ethnic Studies program called Pin@y (Pinay/Pinoy) Educational Partnerships (PEP) where he has mentored hundreds of upper division undergraduate and graduate students who have become teachers, counselors, and leaders throughout California. He has also taught at various colleges and universities in northern California and has been at Skyline College since 2004. He helped established the Ethnic Studies program and was hired as a tenured track Ethnic Studies Professor in the fall of 2022.

Joanne del Rosario

Joanne del Rosario was born in New York City and lived in Yonkers until the age of 12. She then resided in Manila until 1974. Educated in the United States and the Philippines. She moved to California in 1978 and settled down in Colma in 2001 with her husband, Rene Malimban. She has one son, Reginald, from a previous marriage.

Currently Mayor of Colma, Del Rosario has been a 5-time Mayor has served four terms on the City Council of Colma. She was first elected in 2006 and became the first Filipina American woman to be elected to the town council of Colma and continued to break another barrier in 2008 by being the first Filipina to become a Mayor in all of the nine Bay Area counties.

She is the first Filipina American elected official to speak publicly about her own experience with domestic violence. In 2009, she was named one of the “100 Most Influential Filipinas in the United States” by Filipinas Women’s Network. That same year she joined ALLICE in 2009, became president in 2010.

ALLICE is the acronym for Alliance for Community Empowerment, a nonprofit, nonpolitical, nonpartisan team of volunteers formed in 2003 to engage individuals and groups to share resources toward educating the public about healthy relationships.

Ron Derenzi

Ron Derenzi was born and raised in Excelsior District of San Francisco, and is a graduate of Balboa High School, class of 1959. Ron received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance from San Jose State University in 1964. He met his future wife, Marie, while attending San Jose State University. Marie has a Teaching degree from SJSU. Ron and Marie have lived in South City for over 50 years, and recently celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary

Ron received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Navy Reserve in 1970. Ron completed a 42-year management career in retail banking. He held positions as a Branch Manager for some 25 years and Regional Officer for some 9 years before retiring in December 2006. Ron continues to volunteer his time serving on six non-profit boards and four associations.

In his retirement, Ron enjoys history, sports, vacations, lunch with friends, and supporting St. Veronica Church in South San Francisco. Ron and Marie have two married daughters and three granddaughters.

Monica Devincenzi

Monica Devincenzi has been in the solid waste industry for over 20 years, focusing on community relations and public education and outreach. She joined Allied Waste/Republic Services in Daly City in July 2015 as the Municipal Relationship Manager, working closely with the community, businesses and residents to sustainably divert as much material from the landfill as possible. Most recently, she served as the Recycling and Outreach Sustainability Manager for RethinkWaste (South Bayside Waste Management Authority). Prior to joining RethinkWaste, Monica worked for Waste Management for over 11 years.

She has been involved in various community groups and organizations throughout San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties over the years. In addition to the President’s Council, Monica is a current Board Member of the North Peninsula Food Pantry & Dining Center of Daly City and is actively involved in the Daly City/Colma Chamber of Commerce. In addition to her public education and community relations experience, Monica has a journalism background. She is also currently serving a second term as a member of the Board of Directors for the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA), California’s statewide recycling association.

Jim Diaz

James R. Diaz arrived in San Francisco in 1968 and joined the small architectural firm of Kaplan-McLaughlin where he retired after 49 years. The practice has grown in size to become internationally recognized for design excellence and innovation. Jim has been the leader of the firm's healthcare group, designed hospitals all over the world, became a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Healthcare Architects.

Jim's daughter, Lari María is also a principal in the firm and served as the programmer and planner for the Social Science and Creative Arts expansion at Skyline College. Jim's spouse and extended family live in San Francisco and Pacifica. Since 1983, Jim has dedicated great time and effort as an officer of the Union Española de California and the Patio Espanol Restaurant on Alemany Boulevard, which play hosts to many social and cultural events for residents and organizations in San Francisco and the Northern Peninsula.

Giuliana M. Halasz

Giuliana M. Halasz, MSW, is the publisher of California's Children News Service, Inc., an independent nonprofit news aggregate for professionals, advocates, legislators and volunteers who serve the fields of juvenile justice, education, health, immigration reform, and welfare. For over 40 years, Giuliana has developed and administered programs dedicated to improving the quality of life for California's children, assisting families to achieve permanency and self-sufficiency. Fluent in Italian, Spanish, and English, she has published numerous articles, and given speeches at conferences and workshops. She has taught college courses, consulted on mental health and community development (including leadership development in the Latino community), and children's services, and was a counselor and coordinator for the special needs community in Los Angeles.

Volunteering internationally, she is a foster grandparent at Casa Hogar Santa Julia Home for Girls in San Miguel Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico.. Giuliana holds a BS in Sociology from Universidad Catolica Andres Bello, Caracas, Venezuela, and a Masters in Social Work from San Diego State University. An active advocate for children and families, she served as California State Leader and a member of the Western Region Steering Committee for the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), along with other service to CWLA.

Michelle Jester

A native Californian, Michelle has spent her career in Marketing/Sales helping businesses find their potential customers while staying up-to-date with market trends and technologies. Her passion is to see a business celebrate their success. She is excited to bring this knowledge to the President’s Council and work with the dynamic team to impact the future.

Spare time is spent with non-profit organizations as diverse as Lion Clubs International and Gay Games: Team San Francisco, reading and enjoying athletic pursuits.

Juslyn Manalo

Juslyn Manalo has an innate passion to help others. This was realized when she worked as a Community Service Worker early in her career providing direct service to the Filipino World War II Veterans. Alongside this role, she helped in pushing legislation for equity for the "Veteranos" within a national campaign. Juslyn also managed the Bill Sorro Housing Program (BiSHoP), a program that linked affordable housing opportunities to low-moderate income individuals and families.

Currently, Juslyn serves as Vice Mayor of Daily City. She is also a Community Engagement Associate for the 5M project of Forest City, a mixed use development in South of Market, San Francisco. She knows the community development opportunities that will bring real tangible affordable housing, jobs and youth development in the neighborhood her mother immigrated to in 1973. She is passionate to create meaningful partnerships with the private sector and nonprofits for positive changes and support for community endeavors.

Juslyn currently volunteers for the SamTrans Citizen Advisory Committee as Chairwoman, Senior & Disability Action as a board member, South of Market Business Association board member and actively involved with the Filipino American Democratic Club of San Mateo.

Steve Martinez

Steve Martinez has over 20 years of experience in the field of Human Resources. He has worked in corporate, government, non-profit, and private consulting settings and has volunteered or worked at non-profit organizations that include the San Francisco Conservation Corps, United Way of the Bay Area, La Raza Information Center, Center for New Citizens, College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University, and the Friends of the San Francisco Library.

He seeks to assist organizations with the delivery of services to limited English speaking communities and promote the use of learning institutions in order to better one’s life thereby benefiting one self, one’s family, and the community where one lives and works.

Tom Nuris

Tom Nuris was elected to the SMCCCD Board of Trustees in November 2018 and served as Board President in 2021 before joining the President's Council. Tom resides in Daly City with his wife and three sons. He attended public schools in Daly City where he grew up, followed by receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from the University of San Francisco in 1975. Continuing on to the University of California-Hastings College of the Law, he received his Juris Doctorate in 1978, being admitted to the State Bar later that same year. Tom thereafter established law offices in Daly City, where he presently continues a general civil practice of the law.

Areas of past community service include having been a Member of the Daly City Coastal Zone Committee; Member and Past President of the Daly City Exchange Club; Member and Past President of the Board of Directors of the Daly City - Colma Chamber of Commerce; and Trustee of the Jefferson Union High School District for 33 years having served 9 terms as President of the Board. Current community service includes: Chairman of the City of Daly City Personnel Board, having been first appointed in 1986; President of the Board of Directors of the Daly City Public Library Associates, which is a nonprofit foundation that raises money for the public libraries in Daly City; Member of the Jefferson Elementary School District Community Bond Oversight Committee; Chairman of the Board of Directors of Seton Medical Center and Seton Coastside.

Tom has enjoyed working in the past with the youth of our community as a public recreation leader, basketball referee, Boy Scout Leader, Parish Youth Group and Summer Camp Counselor and continues to coach his Parish Boys High School Basketball Team.

Kirsten Pinochi

Kirsten Pinochi is the General Manager for Recology San Bruno. Recology San Bruno provides garbage, recycling and organics services to the residents and commercial businesses in San Bruno. Kirsten received her AA from Skyline College and from there graduated from San Francisco State University with her BS in Business Administration with a focus in Management. She has worked in a management capacity with large corporations, like Citibank and Oracle. She has served on the Board of Directors with the San Bruno Chamber of Commerce and is past president and a current member of the San Bruno Rotary Club. Kirsten was born and raised in San Bruno. Her children attended school in the San Bruno Park School District and will be graduating college in 2023. She enjoys being outdoors with her dogs, and spending time with her husband and friends in the beautiful wine country.

Mary Prem

Mary Prem is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the nonprofit sector. Appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce by the Board of Directors in June 2023, Mary brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her role.

Before taking the helm at the Chamber, Mary founded and led the Housing Equality Law Project (HELP), a fair housing organization situated in South San Francisco. Under her guidance, HELP managed close to 500 cases annually and successfully secured over $3 million in settlements for victims of discrimination.

Earlier in her career, Mary served as the Director of Fair Housing and Enforcement at Project Sentinel, where she supervised a team of investigators across five Bay Area counties. This role further solidified her commitment to promoting fair housing and enforcing related legislation.

Mary holds a degree from San Jose State University and a Master's in Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco.

Beyond her professional commitments, Mary is passionate about travel, culinary adventures, and comedy shows. She cherishes quality time with her family and her beloved rescue dog, Jerry.

Felicia Leong

Felicia Leong, Daly City Colma Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer, is a facilitator for people, resources and business development. She consistently drives positive outcomes through her unique blend of analytical thinking, proactive innovation and infectious enthusiasm. With an unwavering commitment to bridging the gap between community, government, and local business needs, she excels in budget planning, administration, grant writing, fundraising and project management. Her core values center around clear communication, prioritizing service, fostering community engagement, preserving history and supporting education.

Felicia has over 20 years of experience in major gift fundraising, event planning and working daily in the community, and her passion for making a difference is evident in every endeavor she undertakes.

Present day, her strategic successful achievement is in the re-birth of leveraging existing resources and a team with the insolvent former Daly City Colma Chamber of Commerce. Revitalizing an established DCCCC 2.0 into a deep rooted important community trademark is her personal mission.

Felicia’s personal passion is traveling the world, cooking, eating and making a difference in her community. She is a single mom and a proud mother of two recent university graduates who are entering the work force as young women professionals and future leaders.

Her motto is: Never give up !

Marie Villarosa

Marie Villarosa is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in Marketing, Retail, and Real Estate. As the current Marketing Manager for several Regency Center properties, Marie excels in event planning, building business relationships, community outreach, and advertising. Her exceptional leadership has spurred success and growth in these centers, creating a welcoming atmosphere for shoppers.

Beyond her professional role, Marie is deeply engaged in her community. She holds pivotal positions in various organizations, including Executive Board Secretary for the Daly City Colma Chamber of Commerce, Marketing representative for the Daly City Host Lions Club, and Board Member of the Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center. She has also served as a Board member and Past President of the Daly City Public Library Associates and the North Peninsula Food Pantry. Marie's dedication to both her professional and community work reflects her strong work ethic, leadership skills, and genuine desire to make a positive impact in people’s lives.

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In Memorium - Carolyn Livengood

With great sadness and deepest condolences to family and friends, we share the news that Carolyn Livengood, a founding member of the President's Council passed away on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 peacefully in her home surrounded by family. Carolyn was a longtime supporter of so many organizations throughout the region, including Skyline College, where she has made a lasting impact. She served on the first bond oversight committee when the college was built in 1969 and she was part of the first graduating class. As an alumni, she was a proud charter member of the President’s Council, providing 18 years of dedicated service. Carolyn was particularly committed to serving Veterans and was a regular supporter of the Skyline College Veteran’s Resource Center.

Carolyn was journalist, writing the “Livengood” column for the San Mateo County Times in print, and then online. We can take comfort in the fact that so many lives in this county, including our students’ lives, are better because of her passion, volunteerism and talents she so willingly and consistently gave.

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