Jennifer Cullenbine - 

Co-founder of the Family Giving Tree, today Jennifer serves as Chief Executive Officer and is known by many long-term supporters and volunteers as the Queen Elf. Jennifer earned her Masters degree in Business Administration from San Jose State University, where the very idea for the Family Giving Tree was born. Jennifer is affiliated with many organizations, including the Entrepreneurs Organization, The Milpitas Chamber of Commerce, and the Rotary Club of Milpitas where she recently served as President. 

Andrea Borch - 

Helping out with the 2007 Holiday Wish Drive showed Andrea and her family the important role Family Giving Tree plays in local communities. The Borch family has been part of the effort ever since, with Andrea volunteering as a Drive Leader for the backpack and holiday drives. Andrea also serves on the Board of Managers for the Southwest YMCA and the Board of Directors for Humane Society Silicon Valley. Other interests include reading, walking the family’s two dogs, and traveling. Andrea has a BS and MS in journalism from Northwestern University.

Captain Neil Valenzuela has over 20 years of law enforcement experience. He worked patrol and as a detective, investigating high-tech crimes, identity theft and burglary. As a Sergeant, Valenzuela worked as the Investigator for the County Counsel’s Office. On his promotion to Lieutenant, he was the head the Internal Affairs Unit for 4 years and Assistant Division Commander for West Valley Patrol. In 2022 he was promoted to Captain and assigned at Stanford University. 

Captain Valenzuela is a US Army veteran, with an Honorable Discharge, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social and Criminal Justice and an Associate in Arts in Administration of Justice.

Dr. Marshall is the Executive Director of Alive & Free and serves on the Executive and Strategic Directions Committees.  He is a social entrepreneur recognized for his pioneering work redefining youth violence as a disease and developing the successful Alive & Free prescription violence prevention methodology.  Before co-founding the organization in 1987, he was a math teacher and administrator with the San Francisco Unified School District.  

Dr. Joseph E. Marshall, Jr. is an author, lecturer, radio talk show host, and community activist. He is the founder of Alive & Free, an international violence prevention organization headquartered in San Francisco, the creator of the Alive & Free Movement and president of the Alive & Free Consortium-an organization dedicated to eliminating violence worldwide. Founded in 1987 as Omega Boys Club, Alive & Free has transformed the lives of thousands young people and produced 230 college graduates, all supported by the organization’s scholarship fund. Another 40 members are currently enrolled in college, and over 70 have gone on to earn graduate degrees.

Dr. Marshall is the author of the 1996 best-selling book, Street Soldier: One Man’s Struggle to Save a Generation, One Life at a Time and the subject of the PBS documentary Street Soldiers. His innovation has earned him the MacArthur Genius Award, the California Prize for Service and the Common Good, the Children’s Defense Fund Leadership Award, the Essence Award, and the Use Your Life Award from Oprah Winfrey. He is a trustee emeritus of the University of San Francisco, a contributing writer to the Huffington Post and past president of the San Francisco Police Commission.

Gina Cali has worked for the Santa Clara County Fire Department since 2002. She currently holds the position as Sr. Community Risk Specialist. Gina holds two Bachelor of Arts Degrees and two Masters of Arts degrees, one in Education and one in Teaching. Gina helps oversee the department's community education program, including the development and implementation of fire and injury prevention programs to children, adults, and seniors.  Gina and her staff also act as a referral source to assist residents in locating health & wellness community-based resources and services.

Meeting to discuss new members and to plan the February Mardi Gras TGIF

Bill W. Sanderson joined LGSUHSD as the new Superintendent, on July 5, 2022. 

He has worked in public education for three decades in Charleston, SC, and San Francisco , beginning as a middle school science teacher in Summerville, SC, and then as Assistant Principal and Principal in Charleston, SC.

In 2003, Bill moved to San Francisco where he worked as a high school Biology teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Executive Director.  He then served as Assistant Superintendent of San Francisco Unified for the past eight years and oversaw an increase in graduation rates for all students and implemented an Ethnic Studies program.

Growing up in rural Loris, SC, just after desegregation, Mr. Sanderson saw firsthand the isolation of underserved populations and the life-changing opportunities that education can offer. While neither of his parents graduated from high school, they instilled in him the core values of education and hard work.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Charleston Southern University, a Master's in Educational Leadership from The Citadel in 1994 and an Education Specialist degree from The Citadel in 2000.

As founder, Lisa has been the guiding force and visionary of The Grateful Garment Project.  Her unique combination of experience in nonprofit, customer service, law and management produce the leadership required to bring her mission to the State of California and beyond.  Lisa holds an AS in Business, a BS in Human Services and a Masters in Nonprofit Administration.  It is her vision that no victim of sexual assault ever experience further suffering due to lack of resources.  

Tentative Date