Anna is an Urban Planner specializing in creative placemaking, cultural programming, and economic development. She is passionate about making cities more inclusive through the intersection of urban policy, design, and cultural programming. Her previous projects range from investigating the impact of Minneapolis’ creative economy, urban strategy for New Orleans commercial corridors, the urban design of manufacturing in San Francisco and Brooklyn, organizing a Brooklyn food co-op, and a large-scale nighttime public art event in Brooklyn. Anna holds a Masters in City Planning from MIT.

Chris Iglesias is a visionary leader who has dedicated his career to executing a social equity agenda through innovative and strategic public-private partnerships. As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Unity Council (TUC), he leads one of East Oakland’s most vital community assets—a 53-year-old social equity development organization devoted to improving the quality life for the residents of the largest Latino neighborhood in the Bay Area—Oakland’s Fruitvale District—through a place-based economic and intergenerational equity agenda.

Clair Farley is a community leader, writer, and trans advocate. She is the Director of Economic Development at the San Francisco LGBT Center. Established in 2004, the San Francisco LGBT Community Center’s Economic Development Department is the first initiative in the nation to comprehensively address the economic barriers faced by low- and moderate-income LGBT individuals and families.

Clair works across the country and internationally to advocate for increased visibility of LGBT communities. Her story is highlighted in several films showcased on Netflix and National Geographic. She was invited to White House to participate in the inaugural LGBT Innovation Summit and in 2015 was recognized as a “Soldier of Social Change” in the SF Magazine’s Annual Women in Power Issue.

Rosa hasn’t been afraid to speak her mind throughout her career. Once, while working on a California-based project from her former firm’s Pittsburgh office she boldly suggested that the client relocate the team instead of flying back and forth for meetings. Her team laughed at the idea but the client thought it was great and they moved. “That experience was an affirmation to stand up for what you believe in and don’t be afraid to speak up and ask the stupid question,” suggests Rosa. As the Founding Chair of Equity by Design, a national movement created by the American Institute of Architects San Francisco Chapter to advocate for equitable practices and pay in architecture, she has continued to speak up regarding professional issues that move her. Whether Rosa is leading the profession into new and just directions in practice or project work, she is a strong, hands-on designer and project manager with an ability to build consensus and solve complex problems for a diverse range of clients.

Tamyra has 10 years of youth development experience as an impassioned STEM educator and is fueled by an altruistic belief in equity for all who is wish to join the STEM community. Her diverse experience in education spans across classrooms in Dallas, Greece, and Oakland, and includes STEM program and curriculum development as well as teacher leadership and professional development. She is also a featured educator on a Stanford University Massive Open Online Course on formative assessment. Advocacy for tech equity has been a natural progression from being a STEM educator in schools that primarily serve African American and Latino youth. The lessons learned about the role of responsiveness and empowerment of identity when cultivating inclusive STEM-focused environments has been invaluable in her acting role as the Director of Recruitment andRetention for #YesWeCode. Tamyra holds a BA in Sociology from Howard University and a MS in Mathematics Teaching and Learning from Drexel University.

Gensler is widely recognized as the world’s leading collaborative design firm, not just the largest. The ability to work together as an integrated team is part of our DNA, and we’ve embraced it at every level, from our Co-CEOs to our studios and project teams.

Off the Grid began in June 2010 with the simple idea of grouping Street Food creators together to create an experience that allows neighbors to connect with friends, and families to reconnect with each other.

Since then, our markets have become a Bay Area icon and quintessential San Franciscan activity, known for its unique food and cultural experiences. We currently operate 50+ weekly public events throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

SFDW is an essential week-long regional festival that showcases the unique intersection of ideas, design, business & entrepreneurism that makes the Bay Area the birthplace of the future.

Now a global phenomenon, San Francisco’s international success is born from a historically free-spirited entrepreneurialism, coupled with the imaginative vision of contemporary design and state-of-the-art technology. Pioneers of new ways of looking at the world, nimble Bay Area start-ups are now among the world’s most influential design-led companies, producing products, services and experiences that profoundly influence the daily lives of billions of people globally.

Through studio tours and events, SFDW celebrates this spirit of newness by providing unique access to exhibitions and conversations with the designers who are shaping the future — from architecture to fashion, product design to digital services, and everything in between.