MYLES COWHERD 

After taking a year off after high school to travel the world, including becoming a surfing and sailing instructor in Waikiki, Myles began his long and industrious business career. 

As the grandson of the founder of San Jose Blue, Myles is a 25 year veteran of the reprographic industry.  He became an owner, eventually selling it to an international public company. After the sale, Myles would become responsible for more than 500 employees and over $100 million in sales.

In 2012 Myles decided to take a year off work to spend time with his daughter before she went off to college, and in 2013 he joined the San Francisco Zen, ordained as a Soto Zen Priest, and currently holds the role of Director of Development in the organization.

 RAUL ZUNIGA

Raul Zuniga is a 30+ year professional in the telecommunications industry. As the Public Sector Sales Director at CenturyLink, he is driving digital transformational solutions for the various agencies within the State of California, including the Health and Human Services Agency. In addition, Mr. Zuniga also owned and operated various business.

He is currently owner of Mission Realty Company in Oakland. Raul has been a business consultant for the telecommunications company, Matav in Hungary.  In addition, Raul was equity partner in a private foreign investment company in Baja California. As a leader in the community, Raul was a Director for MDI International and organized various community services events, such as Project Elf, a holiday outreach project for families with children facing financial hardship in the Bay Area and the 24 Hour Relay for the Ever Forward Club.

 Raul Zuniga graduated with an MBA from Golden Gate University - San Francisco and also received a Bachelors of Science in Finance from California State University – East Bay, and is a U.S. military veteran. He currently lives in Oakland, CA. with his 4 four-legged children.

 DR. JUANCARLOS ARAUZ

Dr. JuanCarlos Arauz is one of the most sought-after speaker and facilitator, inspiring and captivating audiences internationally through his creative storytelling approach. He has mastered the art of addressing the delicate topics of 21st century education, equity, immigration, and Black/Brown male youth development. He has written academically on the intersection of Social Emotional Learning & Equity as well as personal testimonials and is featured in a documentary that focuses on contemporary civil rights activists. His fresh and compelling vision cultivates collaboration between various sectors, providing solutions to humanize the educational process for every student and educator.

Dr. Arauz received his B.A. and M.A. in Social Science Education from the University of South Florida. He received his Ed.D. in International and Multicultural Education at the University of San Francisco. His dissertation focused on the racial identity development of undocumented youth. His belief that we cannot have educational excellence without equity led him to found the nonprofit, E3: Education, Excellence & Equity, where he serves as the founder. In addition, he has been an adjunct professor at Dominican University and has served as a trustee for several independent schools and educational organizations.

 JESSICA ANTHONY

Jessica Anthony is a Sundance Creative Producing Fellow with over two decades of experience ranging from commercials to narrative and documentary films. She produced the documentary THE MASK YOU LIVE IN which premiered at Sundance in 2015. In 2016, Jessica directed and produced the New York Times Op-Doc SUPREME COURT V. THE AMERICAN VOTER which exposes the deliberate acts by some to suppress the votes of people of color. She was a producer on director Guetty Felin’s feature AYITI MON AMOUR (Toronto 2016, Oscar contender 2018) about the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Currently, Jessica is producing and co directing MISSISSIPPI RED, a documentary feature about growing up female in the heart of the Deep South. Jessica’s career began in animation and visual effects where she produced award winning ads and short films for MTV, Disney, Universal, Nickelodeon, BBC, Comedy Central and many more.

 FRANCIS COMERFORD

Francis Comerford is a multi-talented Event Technician, Audio Engineer and DJ. After having an extensive career in law enforcement and criminal justice, he decided to switch gears and pursue a new path in Music Production. He then moved on to receive his Bachelor's Degree in Sound Engineering and Interactive Audio from SAE Expression College. Francis has since then started his own production company called Still Us Productions to bring his talents to the community. He believes that music and events are the connection between us all and we should use the combination to bring positivity and light to the world.

Born in Oakland and being a Bay Area resident the exposure to music is endless. Being a kid always beatboxing and table knocking. Who you know as the Talent Coordinator, Event specialist , and DJ. Francis started as a Roadie named DJ Franchize for Club 5 Entertainment. He Shadowed his fellow Disk Jockey brothers after school. Perfecting his craft during the Hyphy movement back in 2007, after months of practice he finally earned his place in the club scene with his chance to spin with the C5boyz. This crew then grew to a new name called Ace Entertainment, where Francis then became the production manager for the new business. Francis has planned and executed over thousands of events during his Event Production career.

 His sole mission is to inspire, support and empower all acolytes to create their best work. His vision is to help the community grow and develop. In his home town, Oakland CA, he plans to coordinate and host events to build morale and camaraderie. Meanwhile, providing something exciting and inspirational for his peers to look forward to on a consistent basis.

 TANUM DAVIS BOHEN

Tanum Davis Bohen founded The Bohen Group to encourage leaders to speak truth in order to inspire radical transformation within their teams. Tanum believes in complete transparency & that leaders have an obligation to be curious about how their actions impact their people.

As an executive in the fast-paced world of advertising & biotech through its formative years, Tanum has worked within highly-matrixed organizations. As a team leader as well as an owner of various high-profile, cross-functional initiatives, Tanum has curated the power of inclusion & opportunity to achieve shared goals. It wasn’t until she decided to shed her corporate identity to embark on a journey of personal self-exploration that she realized that her unique perspective as an executive, a leader, a female, and an inclusive team member, could help to change the trajectory of leadership engagement & organizational strategy. She is on a unapologetic mission to incite change.

 ELAINE MELLIS

Elaine Mellis is based in San Francisco and is very involved with various philanthropic organizations by lending her expertise in development, event planning and strategic direction.

Professionally, she works directly with executive teams to provide strategic marketing and communications expertise to established and startup lifestyle, tech and non-profit entities.  Her work includes socially conscious brand platforms, internal communications, traditional media relations, social media strategy and brand partnership programs.