Estevan Bennett Director, West Valley Water District
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, and raised in Europe during early childhood, Estevan Bennett grew up in San Bernardino, California. He attended UC Riverside and San Bernardino Valley College and has spent over 22 years working with a variety of water agencies. Currently, Bennett serves as the Executive Director of a nonprofit organization and as a Board Director for both the West Valley Water District and the City of Rialto.
Ray Bonilla Councilmember, City of Hayward
Ray Bonilla was born, raised, and educated in Hayward. Ray attended Hayward public schools from Harder Elementary through Cal State University, East Bay. Over the last two decades, Ray has dedicated his time to public service and served on various Hayward commissions making positive impacts and contributing to important initiatives. Throughout his tenure on the Hayward Youth Commission, Hayward Community Services Commission, Hayward Planning Commission, and now as an appointed member of the Hayward City Council, Ray has consistently worked in collaboration with diverse stakeholders to address the most pressing issues facing our city. Ray’s years of service to the Hayward community and his experience as a lifelong resident give him a comprehensive understanding of our city’s needs and challenges
Mario Enríquez
Councilmember, City of Stockton
Councilmember Mario Enríquez (he/him/él) proudly represents District 4 on the Stockton City Council, beginning his first term in January 2025. A San Joaquin County native, Mario began his public service at age 13 as President of the Lathrop Youth Advisory Commission, where he championed the development of the city’s first skate park. He holds a sociology degree from the University of the Pacific and a master’s in public administration from USC’s Price School of Public Policy.
Mario has advanced Latino and LGBTQ+ leadership through national roles with UnidosUS, the Victory Institute, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI). His policy experience includes work on Capitol Hill as a CHCI Post-Graduate Fellow and as a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs in Pittsburgh. He currently directs the Jacoby Center for Public Service & Civic Leadership at the University of the Pacific. On the City Council, he serves on the Water Committee and is focused on public safety, homelessness, affordable housing, infrastructure, and sustainable water management.
Victoria Garcia
Councilmember, City of San Fernando
Councilmember Victoria Garcia is a third-generation resident of San Fernando. She is now raising her own family on the same block where her grandparents settled in the 1950s. Victoria graduated with honors from John H. Francis Polytechnic High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Chicana/o Studies with a minor in Policy Studies from UCLA. While at UCLA, she founded a lasting outreach program connecting college students with local youth to support their path to higher education.
Victoria later earned her law degree from Stanford Law School, where she was recognized for her pro bono service and held leadership roles in student organizations. She also holds a master’s in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School, where she worked with the LAPD to evaluate community outreach efforts. On the San Fernando City Council, Victoria is committed to improving public safety, revitalizing infrastructure, and enhancing the downtown district. She serves on both the Downtown Master Plan and Parking ad hoc committees. She continues to advocate for a responsive, community-centered local government while raising her three children with her husband in San Fernando.
Jorge Herrera Avila
Councilmember, City of San Bernardino
Councilmember Jorge Herrera Avila (he/him/él) serves the City of San Gabriel with a focus on public safety, infrastructure, and youth empowerment. A graduate of Cal State LA with a degree in Political Science, Jorge began working at 16 and went on to spend 15 years at SoCalGas before managing municipal contracts as a waste industry executive. He has served as a City Commissioner, Community Advisory Board Member for KCET/PBS SoCal, and President of the South Bay Chinese American Association. He also founded San Gabriel for Change (SG4C), a nonprofit dedicated to youth leadership, and serves as an Honorary Community Representative for State Treasurer Fiona Ma.
Jorge’s leadership is shaped by his deep commitment to community and creativity. Outside of public service, he is a lifelong artist with a passion for poetry, painting, and filmmaking. He finds connection through culture and travel, and draws strength from his wife, Ting Xie, a former Community Services Commission Chair. In 2024, they welcomed their first child, Maple Jubilee, further inspiring Jorge’s work to create a safer, stronger, and more inclusive San Gabriel for the next generation.
Nabil Kherfan
Trustee, Central Unified School District
Nabil Kherfan was born and raised in Fresno, California, the son of a California native and an Arab immigrant. In high school, he founded a club to raise cancer awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from UC Santa Cruz in 2018.
Nabil has worked at Fresno City Hall for four years, where he has helped develop and pass policy on environmental issues, transportation, and housing, while also assisting hundreds of residents with a wide range of concerns. In 2022, he became the youngest elected Trustee in Central Unified School District history and the only Palestinian elected official in the Central Valley. He is proud to serve the same K–12 district he attended as a student and to work alongside the teachers and administrators who once educated him.
Jaime Patiño
Councilmember, City of Union City
Jaime is a lifelong Union City resident, raised in the Decoto District and now raising his daughter there. A graduate of James Logan High School, he earned degrees from Chabot College, CSU Hayward, and CSU East Bay. He has served on the Union City Council since 2018 and previously chaired the Human Relations Commission. Jaime has also been active with Centro de Servicios, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and the Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center, where he serves as Treasurer.
Regionally and nationally, Jaime has held leadership roles with Ava Community Energy, StopWaste, the League of California Cities, and the National League of Cities. He serves on the boards of NALEO and HELO, where he is Vice President. Professionally, he is a Finance Manager for a national healthcare corporation, working to expand services for Medi-Cal members and underserved communities.
Francisco X. Rivera Director, Otay Water District
Jose Rodriguez
Councilmember, City of Madera
Born in Merced and raised in the small farming community of Planada, Councilmember Jose Rodriguez is the son of immigrant parents who came to the U.S. in search of a better life. Despite early academic struggles, he graduated from Le Grand High School in 1994 and attended CSU Sacramento and Merced Junior College. Jose launched a successful career in mortgage lending, earning his real estate broker’s license and becoming a tax professional. He and his wife, Carmina, have lived in Madera since 2005, where they are raising their two children, Vincent and Vivienne.
Jose’s dedication to public service began with his election to the Madera Unified School District Board in 2010, where he championed after-school programs, nutrition initiatives, and policies to support local growth. Since 2016, he has served on the Madera City Council, currently as Mayor Pro Tem. He also holds roles on numerous boards and commissions, including the Madera County Transportation Commission, LAFCO, the San Joaquin Regional Policy Council, and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. Jose remains committed to building a thriving community with strong opportunities and a high quality of life for all Madera residents.
Olga Smith
Boardmember, Antioch Unified School District
Olga Cobos-Smith is a dedicated advocate for all children. She began her career as a Pediatric Intensive Care nurse and has worked at some of the nation’s most acclaimed children’s hospitals. After earning her master’s degree in Policy from the University of California, San Francisco, in 2020, she transitioned from hospital-based advocacy to focusing on her local community.
As an Antioch School Board Trustee, her mission is to ensure that every child in Antioch has access to a free, high-quality public education