Lauren Smith | Member

Lauren Claire Smith (she/her) has spent the past 15 years building startups from the ground up, and brings to the Board expertise in strategy, operations, and finance. She is currently the COO of Aqua Theon, a seaweed food tech company. Lauren holds a B.A. in International Relations from Claremont McKenna College and a Masters in International Business from Tufts University, and lives with her partner, Sierra, dogs, cats, and chickens in Pacifica.

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Margarita Saucedo | Member

Margarita has more than 10 years of experience in healthcare operations, project management, and information systems and technology. In her current role, she collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to optimize processes and implement innovative solutions. She is committed to the health and well-being of her community and to supporting CoastPride’s mission to create a kind and welcoming coastside.

Margarita lives on the border of Daly City and Pacifica with her wife, young child, and two cats. She holds a BS in biology and primatology and maintains a passion for the natural sciences. She also enjoys reading, hiking along the coast, and seeing her child’s silly and caring personality develop.

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Brandon Ferrell | Treasurer

As a Founder of CoastPride and a licensed California tax preparer with nearly two decades of experience, I am honored to support our mission of creating safe and welcoming spaces for everyone.

My journey to this work has been deeply personal. Since childhood, I have navigated a world of confusion and isolation, including being shunned for religious reasons. Loneliness was a familiar companion throughout my youth, shaping my understanding of how much belonging matters.

In adulthood, I came to understand that I am on the autism spectrum—an insight that helped me make sense of the ways I communicate and perceive the world. I realized that much of my early confusion could have been eased by the right guidance from someone who could teach, support, and help me find clarity.

Today, drawing on nearly 20 years of professional experience in fostering understanding and connection, I am committed to creating spaces where others can feel safe to explore their experiences, be accepted for who they are, and grow. I believe that by building understanding and equipping people with tools to navigate life’s challenges, we can create stronger, more compassionate communities for all.

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Dana TherActivist Johnson | Member

Dana TherActivist Johnson, MSW, is a transgender non-binary community activist, author, documentary filmmaker, DEI&B consultant and professional-development trainer. Dana received a master’s degree in social work, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and has a variety of professional certifications. Dana’s an author and filmmaker of the memoir, TherActivist: They/ Them/ Theirs, a narrative embracing Identity, Intersectionality, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The TherActivist embodies a “therapeutic activism” approach, while servicing and empowering BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Dana serves as a LGBTQ Commissioner and PRIDE Initiative co-chair for the County of San Mateo. They’re a peer-support worker for the Q-Corner, a LGBTQ+ peer wellness center of County of Santa Clara. Dana has 17 years’ experience counseling and working with justice-involved youth. They have co-coordinated the San Mateo County Pride Celebration since 2016 and has been on the coordinating committee since its existence in 2012. They’re the emcee of San Mateo County Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) program. Dana’s also a Fellow of Equality of California Institute Leadership Academy, and inaugural member of San Mateo County Leadership CORPS Council.

Dana’s motivated in assisting in the implementation of inclusive policies and protocols; and passionate about providing LGBTQIA+ equity services, social justice services, and activism to marginalized communities. When Dana’s not busy servicing the community they spend time engaging in self-care modalities.

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Zoe Pantera | Member

Zoe Pantera is an elementary educator and coach dedicated to building community through meaningful learning experiences. She has been an educator for the past four years and currently teaches 4th and 5th grade in a rural coastal community. Zoe holds an M.A. in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction and is passionate about place-based learning that celebrates the coastside. Zoe hopes to continue using her role to create opportunities for youth to see themselves as leaders and changemakers, working toward a just and sustainable future for generations to come.

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Beth Pielert | Member

Beth Basa Pielert’s career spans 26 years in the film and gaming industry as a writer/producer/director and editor. Pielert’s first film, Kiss My Cleats, premiered at the Frameline Film Festival 23 and she has been an active juror of documentary submissions ever since.

Pielert formed Good Film Works in 2001 while writing and directing Out of the Poison Tree for PBS, a documentary that explores truth and reconciliation for survivors of the Cambodian Genocide. Some of her credits include award-winning films such as The Corporation, winner of 24 international Awards, including the Sundance Audience Award, and Claiming the Title: Gay Olympics on Trial, winner of the Alternative Spirit Award and Best Documentary at the Palm Springs ShortFest.

For five years Pielert was the Video Director at EA|Visceral Games, directing behind-the-scenes documentaries and marketing trailers for Dead Space 2 and 3, Army of Two and Battlefield Hardline.

Pielert is currently co-directing and producing Echoes of Our Past: A Salmon Story with the indigenous-led Children of the Setting Sun Productions. Echoes is a collaboration with Vision Maker Media and will air on PBS in 2024.

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Marie President | Member

Marie President, MD, is a highly accomplished and experienced physician and medical director with a strong background in internal medicine, leadership, and healthcare consulting. With specialty training at Stanford University Medical Center, a medical degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and a career spanning over two decades, Dr. President has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care, quality improvement, and innovative healthcare solutions.

Dr. President’s impressive career includes significant roles such as Bay Area Regional Medical Director at Dignity Medical Group and Physician/Medical Director at One Medical Group, where she played a pivotal role in optimizing outpatient care, enhancing quality standards, and implementing operational efficiencies. Her expertise extends to population health, preventive medicine strategies, and the professional development of healthcare providers.

As the founder of Bay Area Medical Consultants, Dr. President also provides expert advice to the healthcare industry, contributing to scientific content, medical editing, and strategic growth. She is deeply committed to community engagement, serving on the Board of Directors for Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, CA and the community service organization Outdoor Afro, dedicated to communities across the country. Dr. President’s dedication has been recognized through numerous honors, including the Guardian Angel Award from Dignity Health.

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. President is a San Francisco Bay Area native and an avid outdoor enthusiast, enjoying skiing, cycling, hiking, surfing, martial arts, yoga, and reading with her family.

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Aimee Shapiro | Member

Aimee Shapiro is the Executive Director of the San Mateo County Office of Arts and Culture. In her role she supports the strong network of nonprofit arts organizations across the County, increasing access to the arts for all residents. Her background is in arts management, museum education, public programming, and equitable access to the arts.

Originally from Queens, Aimee has called the Bay Area home for almost 20 years, living on the Coast for over 10. She lives with her family in Montara where she enjoys hiking, surfing, dogs, and being a parent to a middle-schooler.

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Jeanne Vargas | Member Emeritus

Jeanne Vargas is a founding member and former board president of CoastPride. Her dedication to community service and advocacy shines through her work with CoastPride and her long-standing commitment to various volunteer initiatives. Her background in massage therapy not only highlights her professional skills but also her nurturing spirit. Living on the coast with her family, including her wife Kelly, their son, and grandchildren, showcases her deep connection to the community and her love for family.

Through her endeavors, Jeanne embodies the spirit of service, not just professionally but personally, actively contributing to the well-being of the LGBTQ community and fostering inclusivity. With her interest in animals, like her dogs and horses, it’s clear that Jeanne finds joy in both her work and her personal life, making her a well-rounded and inspiring figure in her community.

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Jenny Walter | Member Emeritus

Jenny Walter is a founding member and former board president of CoastPride, serving Pescadero through Pacifica. She was the first co-chair of the San Mateo County LGBTQ Commission and during her five-year service, the Commission conducted a county-wide needs assessment of LGBTQ+ residents and promoted the establishment of the San Mateo County Pride Center. As CoastPride Board Emeritus, she is actively working to bring allcove, an integrated mental health model for young people, ages 12–25, to the coastside. She served as a task force member on the Coastside Recovery Initiative and community stakeholder on the Half Moon Bay Streetscape Master Plan. She served as counsel to the California Tribal Court-State Court Forum at the Judicial Council. Before that she was directing attorney of Legal Advocates for Children and Youth in San Jose and staff attorney at Legal Services for Children in San Francisco. She presently serves as a tribal appellate judge for the Northern California Tribal Court Coalition and law partner at Hedger & Walter, LLP, which is committed to helping tribal courts and nonprofits achieve their vision to serve their communities. Jenny graduated with a degree in linguistics from UC Berkeley in 1982 and a J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law. She was inducted into the San Mateo County Women’s Hall of Fame in 2024. She lives with her wife in Half Moon Bay, California, where they raised their daughter, and have two dogs, one chicken, one canary, and one mini-pig.

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Ricky Juan-Ramos | allcove Project Manager

Ricky is the project manager overseeing CoastPride’s initiative to build the allcove center in Half Moon Bay. Born and raised in Salinas CA, Ricky is a central coast native and has long been involved in coastside development efforts aimed at supporting underrepresented populations within his community. With over five years of professional experience in curriculum development, disability activism, and social services, Ricky brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion. His work and interest in mental health has profoundly shaped his passion for the allcove model, which aligns with his dedication to fostering inclusivity and social equity for young people. Ricky holds a BA in Cognitive Science from Dartmouth College and is driven by a strong belief in the power of community-centered solutions. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, running on the beach, spending time with family around the Bay Area, and continuously learning new things.

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Rodolfo Reyes | allcove Community Outreach Specialist Manager

Rodolfo has over five years of experience in the education sector and non-profit organizations dedicated to promoting youth leadership and well-being. As a human rights activist, he has been involved in key initiatives, including serving as amicus curiae in the Inter-American Court of Human Rights’ advisory opinion on gender identity, equality, and non-discrimination for same-sex couples.

Committed to youth mental health, Rodolfo aligns with the allcove model, supporting its focus on prevention and access to comprehensive well-being resources. His experience as a migrant has given him a big perspective on diversity and resilience, further strengthening his dedication to creating a positive social impact.

In his free time, he enjoys cooking, hiking, cycling, and exploring new places.

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