The built environment is undergoing a transformation. The DEI requirements are being engrained in nearly every development project, creating opportunities for everyone involved and evolving how projects are being built. Learn from our industry experts as they share their experiences, industry trends and insights, and how each perspective works together towards building a more equitable future for future generations
Moderator:
Sarah Mancuso (Moderator)
NorCal Market Director, JLL
Sarah oversees 8 JLL corporate offices throughout the entire Northern California region. Her responsibilities include bolstering the tenant rep, agency leasing, property management, and project management businesses, with industry focuses such as office, industrial, retail, hospitality and multifamily.
In her nearly 20 years in the industry, Sarah has experienced how the dynamic nature of real estate creates unique opportunities for investors and clients alike. Sarah is passionate about developing solutions and executing wins for clients and colleagues. Prior to JLL, Sarah was a director at Harvest Properties, managing property management activities, investment strategy, and overseeing construction for capital projects. Before that, she held roles with Ohana Real Estate Investors, Broadreach Capital Partners, Hines and Ernst & Young.
Sarah received her Master’s in Accounting from University of Notre Dame and a Bachelors in Finance from Marquette University. She is a board member for CREW Silicon Valley.
Speakers:
Thuy Fontelera
Founder and Principal, Element Structural Engineers
As the founding principal of woman and minority-owned, Element Structural Engineers, Inc, Thuy Fontelera is engineering the change she wants to see with a commitment to building a firm that is community and DEIB driven. She is focused on transforming what leadership looks like for not only the A/E/C industry but for other industries as a whole. For over 11 years, Thuy and her team continue to demonstrate high-caliber experience by providing structural design and engineering services for a variety of project types that include commercial, residential, healthcare, and education, throughout the Bay Area and greater Bay Area.
Thuy understands the importance and responsibility in growing our future pipeline of engineers. She volunteers her time to Mission Valley ROP's in Fremont to their high school engineering program as an Industry Advisor and recently started an engineering club at Cristo Rey De La Salle in Oakland.
Thuy continues to be motivated by the energy and enthusiasm of her team and encourages them to volunteer, continue their education, and lead with empathy. She believes that by building stronger people, one can build stronger communities, which in turn builds stronger buildings.
Company Info:
Element Structural Engineers is a full-service and Certified Woman and Minority-Owned Structural Engineering Firm providing structural consultation, analysis, and design services for a wide range of projects throughout Northern California.
Our diverse portfolio includes new custom homes and remodels, multi-unit residential and mixed-use buildings, low-rise commercial structures and seismic anchorages, retail, healthcare, and education.
Our expert team works closely with architects, developers, building owners, and contractors to provide creative and economical engineering solutions. We scale responsibly alongside our clients, and we take pride in delivering high-quality work and unparalleled customer service on every project.
Url: https://www.elementse.com/
Fatimah Aure
Director of Field Building and Capacity, The Kelsey
Fatimah is currently leading long and short-term program strategies. With a communications degree from Northwestern University and a Public Policy Masters from UC Berkeley, cultivating meaningful programs is her sweet spot. Born and raised in San Francisco, now an Oakland resident with her husband Seth and dog Duke Ellington. When she is not working, she loves to travel, bake and adhere to a strict skincare routine.
She is most proud of the combined focus of disability access and housing. Your house should be your oasis, where you feel most comfortable. That is why accessibility matters so much. Everyone, regardless of physical limitations, should feel they have access and opportunities to realistic housing options. That goal is an exciting one to strive towards.
One of her favorite things about The Kelsey is it’s commitment to spotlighting, empowering and acknowledging people, thought leaders and advocates with disabilities. Disability-forward means creating an environment where disability isn’t a hindrance or roadblock but a reality to be recognized and celebrated. The Kelsey is doing this by keeping disability at the forefront by not only spotlighting those voices but amplifying them in every way possible.
Company Info:
The Kelsey pioneers disability-forward housing solutions that open doors to more affordable homes and opportunities for everyone. We develop affordable, accessible, inclusive housing communities designed to scale and lead organizing and advocacy to create market conditions so inclusive housing becomes the norm. What started with Kelsey, an advocate for access and community, has become a movement towards an inclusive housing future led together by people with and without disabilities.
Url: https://thekelsey.org/
Fernanda Perdomo-Arciniegas
Equity, Access, and Inclusion Manager, City of Sunnyvale
Fernanda Perdomo-Arciniegas (she/her/ella) is the Equity, Access, and Inclusion Manager for the City of Sunnyvale. In her role, Fernanda provides leadership, strategic technical guidance, and policy direction to City departments on equity and inclusion principles and practices; she serves as staff liaison to the City’s Human Relations Commission and facilitates the Sunnyvale Employees for Equity and Diversity (SEED) Team.
Prior to working for the City of Sunnyvale, Fernanda served as Deputy Diversity Officer in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at San José State University (SJSU). She worked at SJSU for over 20 years in various roles, including Interim Director for Chicanx/Latinx Equity and Director for Campus and Community Relations.
Fernanda is a well-known diversity, equity and inclusion leader in the South Bay. She has received numerous awards and formal recognitions from the California State Assembly, the Santa Clara Board of Supervisors, the Latino Leadership Alliance Program and the APALI Civic Leadership Program. In 2015, she received the Arthur Dunklin Diversity Champion Award, given in recognition for her extensive work supporting diversity and inclusive excellence at SJSU and the community.
Fernanda currently serves on two different Boards of Directors: the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice (CCIJ) and SOMOS Mayfair; she has also served on community boards such as the Latina Coalition Silicon Valley (LCSV) and Sabor del Valle. She is currently a member of Papeles Para Todxs, a national coalition that seeks citizenship for all, as well as part of the Our Voice, Rights, and Vote (Nuestra Voz, Derechos y Voto) a movement that seeks to strengthen community engagement and sense of belonging by expanding the vote to all residents in the City of San José. Fernanda is a leader in the Colombian American Diaspora. She is part of a national coalition that advocates for the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Colombian immigrants affected by the country’s 60-year-old war. She is also part of a grassroots organization that spotlights the hardships and traumas experienced by those who are forced to migrate and advocates for their welfare.
Fernanda has a bachelor's in mathematics (statistics) and a master's in public administration from SJSU. She also studied law at the Universidad Externado de Colombia. She has specialized management training in leading transformation and change through the Management Development Program (MDP) at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education and is certified by the Intergroup Dialogue Institute at Cornell University. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership.
She is a Public Voices Fellow with the OpEd Project and has been published in the San José Mercury News. She is also a Core Coach for USAFIT San José, a national organization that helps folks train for half-marathons, marathons, and ultra-marathons.
Url: https://www.sunnyvale.ca.gov/your-government/city-initiatives/equity-access-and-inclusion
Registration:
Members Only Event
- Members who want to bring their own lunch or attend virtually, the ticket cost will be $20/ticket
- Members who would like to order lunch, the ticket cost will be $40/ticket. If this option is selected, the lunch order must be received by the day before the event (by noon) via the registration form.
Last day to register is July 24, 2023.
IN-PERSON: Networking: 11:30 a.m. | Announcements and Presentation: 11:50 a.m. to 1 p.m.
VIRTUAL: Announcements and Presentation: 11:50 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Pivot Interiors
3355 Scott Blvd #110
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Cancellations: By registering for this event, you are indicating that you will pay the required fees. If you are unable to attend, notification of cancellation is required at least three (3) business days prior to the event in order to receive a refund. If you do not attend the event, but have not provided notice of cancellation according to this policy, you will still be responsible for payment.
Photo/Recording Waiver
By registering for this event you are giving permission for CREW SV to use any photographs or videos taken during the event on its website, YouTube channel and/or other promotional materials without compensation. You confirm your understanding that CREW SV owns all photographs and videos taken during the event.
Registered: