Susan Davis, Chair

Susan Davis is a former U.S. Congresswoman, who represented the City of San Diego in the House of Representatives for 20 years. Prior to her service in Congress, she served as a member of the California State Assembly and a member of the San Diego Unified Board of Education. Throughout her public service career, Ms. Davis has been a champion for education, veterans and womens rights. She earned her B.A. from the University of California Berkeley and a masters degree in social work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ms. Davis is a resident of Kensington. She will be serving a two-year term ending April 5, 2023.

Wendy Urushima-Conn, Vice Chair

Wendy Urushima-Conn is president and chief executive officer of the Epilepsy Foundation. She has more than 25 years of experience in community outreach, fundraising and marketing. Previously, she served as president and CEO of the Asian Business Association and associate executive director of the Center for Community Solutions, where she was the chief fundraising and marketing officer focusing on sexual assault/domestic violence intervention and prevention. Ms. Urushima-Conn also worked for over a decade at KGTV/10News as a community affairs manager, promotion manager, and a weather and traffic reporter. Ms. Urushima-Conn is a resident of Rancho Bernando. She will be serving a two-year term ending April 5, 2024.

Marlyn Carrillo

Marlyn Carrillo is the Communications Director at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. Before holding this position, she served as a Press Secretary in the U.S. House of Representatives, News and Social Media Director at KTDO Telemundo, and News Editor and Social Media Director at KRUX 91.5 FM. She brings extensive experience as a press and digital media specialist and has also founded a women's art collective with members in over 30 cities. Ms. Carrillo earned a B.A. in Mass Communications and a B.A. in Spanish from New Mexico State University. She also holds an M.P.A from San Diego State University. Ms. Carrillo is a resident of Normal Heights. She will be serving a two-year term ending April 5, 2024.

Dr. Lakeya Cherry

Dr. Lakeya Cherry is an executive leadership coach who has dedicated her career to the growth and development of individuals and the organizations they serve. Dr. Cherry is a Partner at Evolution, Silicon Valley's premier coaching, consulting, and investment firm for start-ups & high-growth companies to drive long-term, holistic success, and CEO of Lakeya Cherry LLC, an executive coaching and consulting business. Previously, she was the Chief Executive Officer of The Network for Social Work Management an international organization dedicated to strengthening and mobilizing diverse social impact leaders through education, leadership development, networking, and community building for nine years. Dr. Cherry earned a Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Southern California, an M.S. in Social Work from Columbia University, and a B.A. in Psychology and Legal Studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz. Dr. Cherry is a resident of North Park. She will be serving a two-year term ending April 5, 2023.

Gail Friedt

Gail Friedt has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry with leadership experience in pharmaceutical drug development from early development through commercialization. Her areas of expertise include nephrology, critical care, solid organ transplant, hepatology and rare diseases. She has maintained certifications as a Critical Care Registered Nurse and Certified Research Associate. Ms. Friedt is also a retired Captain in the United States Navy Reserves. She earned her B.S.N. from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, and her masters from the University of California, Dominguez Hills. Ms. Friedt is a resident of Hillcrest. She will be serving a two-year term ending April 5, 2024.

Sophie Tarazi

Sophie Tarazi is an attorney and San Diego native with experience in civil litigation and human rights research and advocacy. She earned her law degree with academic honors from Columbia Law School, where she served on the editorial board of the Columbia Journal of Race and Law and conducted research on fair trials for the Clooney Foundation through Columbias Human Rights Clinic. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis in Political Science and Anthropology. She previously worked for the International Rescue Committee in San Diego as an AmeriCorps VISTA member. Ms. Tarazi is a resident of Tierrasanta. She will be serving a two-year term ending April 5, 2023.

Dana Toppel

Dana Toppel is the Chief Operating Officer for Jewish Family Service of San Diego. She has over two decades of experience as a nonprofit executive and leader. Prior to her time at Jewish Family Service, she was the Director of Programs and Services at the San Diego LGBT Community Center. Ms. Toppel is the current chair of San Diego for Every Child, a Commissioner for the California Commission on Aging, and a Community Advisory Board member for the San Diego Union-Tribune. She holds a bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin, a masters degree in social work and a masters degree in business administration from San Diego State University. Ms. Toppel is a resident of Del Cerro. She will be serving a two-year term ending April 5, 2024.

Natasha Wong

Natasha Wong is an international law attorney who began her career in San Diego as the Executive Director of the Chinese Service Center. She is the co-founder of San Diegos first fully licensed Chinese bilingual preschool and is the current Superintendent and former Principal of the Chinese School of San Diego. She holds law licenses in the State of California, the District of Columbia and is also on the Roll of Solicitors for the Supreme Court of England and Wales. Ms. Wong was also appointed by the County Board of Supervisors to serve as a trustee of the San Diego County Employees Retirement Association. She holds a bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of California at Berkeley and a Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School, and a Master of Law in International Law from the University of San Diego, School of Law. She will be serving a two-year term ending April 5, 2023.