Board of Directors
The Foster City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is comprised of business leaders who are dedicated to driving a vibrant local economy and supporting our city’s diverse communities
Dr Joan Rosas
Educator
Term expires:
March 31, 2024
Joan Rosas
Dr. Joan Rosas has dedicated over 30 years to students, parents and staff in the field of education.  She has served as a bilingual elementary school teacher, middle school teacher and an administrator.  In 1993 Dr. Rosas opened Fiesta Gardens International School, a K-5 magnet program, in the San Mateo – Foster City School District.  In 2011, Dr. Rosas joined the San Mateo County Office of Education as the Associate Superintendent of Student Services and in 2015 she became the Superintendent of the San Mateo - Foster City School. While having retired last July, Joan continues with her mission to support all students in reaching their academic and personal goals.
Dr. Rosas earned her doctorate from the University of San Francisco in Organizational Leadership.  She served on the Association of California School Administrators Boards both locally and at the state level. She is a Rotarian and will be seated on the Board for the San Mateo Club in July. She has received the Latino Community Education Award, Pupil Personnel Administrator of the Year from the Association of California School Administrators and PTA Founders Day Awards.  She was recognized by Josh Becker and Kevin Mullin at her retirement. Â
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Phillip Pierce
Zoox
Term expires:
March 31, 2024
Phil Pierce
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Phillip Pierce is a Senior Public Policy Manager at Zoox, where he leads city policy strategy for the all-electric, autonomous vehicle company. Prior to joining Zoox, he managed public affairs and government relations for the SFMTA, working on many of San Francisco's largest transportation planning and construction projects. He is a passionate urbanist and environmentalist, having run multiple political campaigns and worked with advocacy organizations focused on making cities more sustainable and equitable. On weekends, you will find him taking long bike rides and exploring the Bay Area.
Ben Yu
SteelWave
Term expires:
March 31, 2024
Ben Yu
SteelWave is an owner developer of properties which has had operations in Foster City for 30 years. Ben is responsible for Northern California acquisitions and development activities for SteelWave. Prior to joining SteelWave in 2018, Ben was Vice President of Acquisitions & Development at the Irvine Company, the largest property owner developer in California. In that capacity, he was responsible for acquisitions and development of office and residential projects in Northern California with over $3.6 billion in project cost, including the 3.8 million square foot Santa Clara Square mixed-use project and the 1.5 million square foot Pathline office project in Sunnyvale. Ben also worked at Forest City, where he was responsible for the entitlement, planning and development of the 5M and Pier 70 projects in San Francisco with a total of over 5 million SF of mixed-use development.
Ben’s experience also includes 12 years in the venture capital and investment banking industries where he was an investor in early-stage technology and clean technology companies. Ben previously served on the Boards of the Yerba Buena Community Benefits District, South of Market Early Education Center, SF 5th & Mission Garage.
Ben has an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern California.
Constantinos Vorrises
Century 21
Term expires:
March 31, 2023
Constantinos Vorrises
As a long time Foster City resident, Costa has been involved with the community in many different aspects. As a real estate professional with Century 21 Real Estate Alliance for 14 years, selling/leasing both residential and commercial has afforded him the opportunity to connect with many local business owners. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Adolescent Development from San Francisco State University, Costa also worked at Brewer Island Elementary School for 17 years as a tutor and has a strong connection to the school district and families in the community. As an entrepreneur, with a strong passion for creating artwork and t-shirts, Costa knows the commitment and time it takes to pursue your goals. Being a realtor and an artist has presented opportunities with many people from different backgrounds and cultures. Driven by the concept of creating more opportunities to assist local business owners, make more connections, and develop new relationships in the local community, Costa is a long time member of the Foster City Chamber of Commerce. With the current economic environment brought on by the pandemic, Costa is committed to becoming more involved with the FC Chamber and enhancing the quality of life for all in Foster City and the surrounding area.
Sonja Tappan
San Mateo Foster City Education Foundation
Term expires:
March 31, 2023
Sonja Tappan
Sonja Tappan is a Foster City native who currently lives and works in San Mateo. After leaving Foster City to attend U.C.L.A. (B.A History) she traveled extensively before living in the Netherlands for 5 years. In the Netherlands she worked in the family business where she learned business acumen and to speak Dutch. Upon her return to the U.S, she worked at Genentech, Inc holding various leadership positions in the pharmaceutical manufacturing department during her 8 year tenure. Her time in manufacturing ignited her passion for improving processes and systems.
After Genentech, Inc., Sonja took the lead role in a local non-profit as their Director of Administration. Her passion for helping others, developing processes, and improving systems that lead to sustainable solutions flourished when many local nonprofit and for-profit partnerships were realized. As a Business Operations Manager for a local startup specializing in high end connected home devices, she was instrumental in ensuring the company had the essential systems, equipment, people and processes to run effectively and scale the business. She fondly reminisces of her time as a founding employee and the dedication and hard work it takes to build a successful company.
Sonja Tappan is currently the Operations Manager at Bould Design and Executive Director for the San Mateo-Foster City Education Foundation. As a board member Sonja is excited serve the community by enhancing the relationships between the city, community members, and its businesses with a focus on young adults.
Staff
Crystal Conway
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Crystal is passionate about advancement and continuous improvement. She thrives on learning any time the opportunity presents itself and enjoys challenges. Crystal is a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, a Certified Kaizen Facilitator, and a Notary Public.
Crystal has several decades of experience in business ownership and as a General Manager. Originally from the Midwest, Crystal is a recent transplant, arriving in the Bay Area in late 2021. Having a history of being heavily involved in the community, she jumped right in as soon as she was settled.
With serving in her nature, she is the board secretary for the Sunday Friends Foundation. Crystal also serves on several committees such as Telling Asian American Stories as well as the Santa Clara Parade of Champions. She volunteers with PARTI Program and various other organizations in her free time.
Crystal's interests include crafting horrifying outdoor Halloween decorations, Star Trek, creating digital art, football, tinkering with motors, building things, reading, and concerts. Her wonderful partner in crime and children keep her busy and fill her life with joy.