Jenny Walter | Vice Chair

Jennifer Walter assists tribes, courts, local governments, and organizations on social reform issues. She brings over three decades of experience and expertise in strategic planning and communications, community outreach, project management, organizational development and collaboration to promote social justice change.

She has a passion and commitment to strengthening tribal/county/state/federal relations and elevating LGBTQ issues through a race and equity lens.

Ms. Walter’s experience includes over twenty-year career as a lawyer for the California Judicial Council where she led a statewide tribal needs assessment, obtained funding for and launched a unit focused on tribal/state relations, initiated and consulted on the documentary, Tribal Justice, served as lead counsel to the California Tribal Court-State Court Forum, and developed statewide policies relating to children, youth, families and concurrent jurisdiction of tribal and state courts. She serves as a tribal appellate judge for the Northern California Tribal Court Coalition. She was the first cochair of the San Mateo County LGBTQ Commission and served on the commission for 5 years.

She lives with her wife and their 16-year old daughter in Half Moon Bay, California.

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Jeanne Vargas | Chair

Jeanne is the founder of CoastPride. A coastal resident since 1989, she enjoys the seaside life with her family, wife, and grandkids. She has had a Massage Therapy practice in Half Moon Bay since 1999. Being an advocate for our LGBTQ community is one of her true passions.

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Kassi Talbot | Member at-large

Kassi Talbot (she/her/hers) is a doctoral candidate for Educational Leadership at San Francisco State University. She has been a co-learner/educator for the past six years. She teaches Middle School Social Studies and High School Spanish in Pescadero. Kassandra holds a M.A. in Education, Equity and Social Justice; concentration in antiracist teaching and transformative practices in the rural context. Her ultimate goals include using her position in the community to catalyze transformations in the current school system into one that serves all students equitably. She hopes community members and former students will come back to the coastside community to continue the fight, lead and support future generations. Kassandra is a Red Cross First Aid Instructor, Trauma Informed Instructor and local radio host for KPDO 89.3.

When she is not working on projects for the youth, Kassandra enjoys spending the day with her partner and dogs, cooking, watching a good anime series and surfing.

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Les Shinozawa | Treasurer

Les Shinozawa has been a resident of Montara, California for over 30 years. Born and raised in Hawaii, Les was recently widowed to the man with whom he shared almost forty years of his life. Holding senior executive positions in Finance, Les was notably the CFO for CellularOne, a large wireless carrier serving the greater SF Bay Area, as well as the CFO for tech start-up BusinessBots, Inc. While ceasing recreational travel during the Covid pandemic, Les plans on resuming travel to far-flung destinations, again, soon. He shares his home life with two dogs and two cats.

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Cathy Hauer | Volunteers

Cathy Hauer is a therapist in private practice, a grassroots organizer for social change, and loves living at the Coast! She was previously on the Empowerment Committee of Outlet (supporting queer youth), and served on the Boards of Coastside Jewish Community and the San Mateo/Santa Clara Valley therapist’s organization, SCV-CAMFT. Currently, Cathy is a Co-Chair of the San Mateo County Pride Center's Community Advisory Board, as well as helping launch CoastPride. Twenty years ago, she and her friend Ronda co-founded Coastside Rainbow Women, an on-going social group for lesbians and bisexual women. Cathy and her spouse Nancy enjoy walking the Coastal Trail, wonderful friends, travel, and the best two cats in the world.

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Patricia Bodas | Secretary

I am a creative at heart. I find joy in helping others realize their unique sense of self. I do this through my work as an interior home designer and as a pediatric occupational therapist. I love being a positive influence in my community and sharing my love. What lights me up? Creativity, discovery, connection, volunteering, design, fashion, running, riding my cruiser bike and reading. I’m a married mother of three teens, a dog and a cat. Proud coastsider since 2001.

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Kelly Kramer | Member at-large

Kelly Kramer has had a successful career in information technology for over 30 years. Starting as an IT leader in major law firms, the majority of her career has been at the global consulting firm McKinsey and Company, advancing to Director in Technology and Digital Services Leadership and Excellence.

Kelly is also a licensed Resource Parent in San Mateo County, California. As a child advocate, she has provided emergency care for children suddenly brought into protective custody, working with county agencies and the family court system. She has extensive knowledge and experience in childhood trauma, attachment disorders and medically fragile infants.

She lives with her Covid companion, Brody, a rescued 5-year-old German Shephard, and is a hot yoga enthusiast who enjoys biking and hiking the coastal trails.

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Sonya Matthysse | Member

I love living in Half Moon Bay. My husband and I moved here in 2012 and I feel it is the most beautiful place we have ever lived. I hold a bachelor’s degree in business from San Jose State University and my professional experience includes over 20 years in corporate finance. I currently work in my own practice as a Nutrition Coach and Consultant. It gives me great satisfaction and joy to have the privilege to serve in our community and on the board of CoastPride. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of something so powerful and grounded in human kindness!

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David Oliphant | Member

David and his husband have lived at the coast for almost 10 years. David owns Ocean Blue Real Estate and teaches yoga; his husband Christopher teaches dance at FIT Studios and Shelly Pack Dancers as well as plus choreographing shows around the world.

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