The Community Advisory Board (CAB) is a dedicated group of individuals who come together to share ideas and enhance LGBTQ+ affirming services provided by the San Mateo County Pride Center. Their goal is to support the needs of Pride Center staff, promote Pride Center programs and services, and expand visibility across San Mateo County and beyond.

CAB members are passionate about collaborating with others who share a commitment to the Pride Center’s mission, assisting with special projects and events, and fostering a strong sense of community.

Some of the beautiful projects that CAB member have supported and collaborated with include San Mateo County Pride Celebration, 5-year anniversary of the Pride Center, and many more!

Smiling bride holding calla lily bouquet.

Anissa Silva

she/her

CAB Member

Anissa has been supporting the Pride Center’s Community Advisory Board (CAB) for just over a year. As a queer, Latina woman, she is passionate about using her intersecting identities and experiences to uplift others and inspire them to embrace their authentic selves.

Growing up in San Mateo County, Anissa often wished she had access to a resource like the Pride Center and the support it provides. As a pansexual woman married to another woman, she has sometimes struggled with feeling “not queer enough.” However, being part of the CAB community has helped her find a sense of belonging and has strengthened her confidence as a queer-identifying woman.

Jason Murray

he/him

CAB Member

Prior to joining the Pride Center’s Community Advisory Board, Jason worked extensively in higher education, with a focus on access and support for first generation college students. He is an avid reader and enjoys performing with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus.

Jason lives in Belmont with his husband, their two kids, and an ever-evolving cast of canine friends.

Smiling woman with brown hair in green dress.

Ellen Hohbach Scheetz

she/they

CAB Member

Ellen is a consultant and activist focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB); a certified life coach; and children’s picture book creator. Ellen is thrilled to be on the Community Advisory Board (CAB) as she wants to help create a world where equal rights and personal safety are commonplace for all residents of San Mateo County and beyond. Ellen enjoys participating, with inclusive-minded people, in basketball, swing dancing, improv games, hiking, activism, and board games.

Lura Milner

she/her

CAB Member

Lura Milner (she/her) is a dedicated advocate for inclusivity and community empowerment, bringing over 20 years of educational and technology experience to our Community Advisory Board (CAB). As a volunteer, Lura was drawn to the SMPC ideal of creating environments where every voice is heard and valued. Now, as the CAB team lead, she designs collaboration sessions to build on that ideal, allowing the knowledge and expertise of each and every CAB volunteer to have an impact. Lura wants to thank the entire team for their recent hard work and enthusiasm. It hasn’t gone unnoticed!

Francisco "Frankie" Sapp

he/him

Pride Center Director

Frankie has been entrenched in social justice programing and advocacy for over 25 years. Working both in the US and Canada, his career fields span across mental health, harm reduction, HIV/HCV, and LGBTQ+ issues.

Amongst his previous roles, he’s worked as a Capacity Building Assistance (CBA) Specialist, partnering with Native communities across the United States. In this role, he provided skills-building trainings, resources, and additional assistance needed to help them better address HIV prevention. Later in Canada, he managed an Ontario-wide LGBTQ+ youth mental health phone/chat support line.

Person with long curly hair and glasses is wearing a dark colored jacket outside a blue shirt.

Lowellyn "Low" Sunga

she/they

Community Engagement & Volunteer Specialist

Low (she/they) is excited about starting her new role as the Community Engagement and Volunteer Specialist. Since 2017, Low has been part of the San Mateo County Pride Center and has learned a lot from the LGBTQ+ community.

As a founding member, she has grown and gained insight into the LGBTQ+ community’s needs. Low looks forward to using this experience to connect with the community, promote inclusivity, and organize volunteer efforts that make a positive impact. Her time at the Pride Center has fed her passion for community engagement, and she is eager to contribute to making a difference in San Mateo County and beyond.

Interested in joining the CAB!?

Please reach out to Low Sunga (she/they) at [email protected] for more information!

CAB Members

Anissa Silva

Jason Murray

Ellen Hohbach Scheetz

Lura Milner

Francisco "Frankie" Sapp

Lowellyn "Low" Sunga

Interested in joining the CAB!?