North Beach has always been my spiritual home since discovering it after moving from Greenwich Village. This is a true village where you run into folks you know on the street or in a caffe or restaurant. For me, it's the heart of the City. I've been serving on the Board of THD for 3 years and love how our Social activities have increased in frequency, variety and new membership. When I moved to Telegraph Hill, the first thing I wanted to do was get involved in neighborhood activities. As a new member I was thrilled to meet so many like-minded people whose energy was directed toward preserving the authenticity of our neighborhood. I was honored to be elected to the Board where I felt I could contribute my creativity and marketing skills developing programs of interest.

I moved to the neighborhood at the end of 2024, driven by a desire to be part of a community that truly values inclusivity. One of my favorite things about living here is the simple joy of walking down the street, being known by name, and sharing a friendly hello with neighbors. Having lived all over the city, I eventually found my family within the community in North Beach, and I’m eager to bring that same spirit of deep connection and belonging here.

I’m a 46 year old Queer Latina with a career that sits at the intersection of creativity and organizing. My roots are in graphic design, a passion that shaped how I approach the world with a creative eye and today I balance a role in tech with a unique side hustle as a Caviar Concierge.

While my professional life is a mix of tech and high end hospitality, my heart is in meeting new people and building spaces where everyone feels seen. I am excited to join the panel and help make an impact and expand our community by creating inclusive, memorable experiences where every neighbor feels welcome.

Jack is a lifelong San Franciscan and decades-long admirer of North Beach. While he grew up in sleepy Diamond Heights, it was love at first sight  when he walked down Grant Avenue for the first time with his little brother at 14 years old. Now, Jack owns (rents) a small piece of paradise on Telegraph Hill, where he is honored to receive daily updates  from neighbors via group chat about the latest parking debacle.

At work, Jack raises funds for a San Francisco hospital. In his free time, he loves to organize his neighbors for the betterment of the community! He is also an avid reader of books and news, a talker about all things  political, and an aspiring swimmer in the cold bay waters.

Jack  is hopeful that with the help of strong local organizations and connected neighborhoods, San Francisco can build a diverse, economically accessible future for all people who seek the privilege of enjoying  this special city.

Howard Wong is an architect, transit advocate and native of North Beach. He has been a past THD Vice-President, board member, committee chair and originator of the Pioneer Park Project. He is a founding member of SaveMuni, and serves on the State Interagency Equity Advisory Committee. Past transit affiliations include the MTC Policy Advisory Council, TJPA CAC, Muni CAC and Sierra Club’s SF Executive Committee. He is active in civic and community organizations, like the District 3 Democratic Club, NEXT Village, North Beach Neighborhood Court, SF Tomorrow and Southern Waterfront Advisory Group--focusing on architecture, urban design, transportation and neighborhoods. Past board memberships include the Chinese Historical Society of America, Civil Grand Jury, Neighborhood Parks Council, SF Heritage and SPUR. Howard stays active with THD because it’s one of the most effective neighborhood organizations---a steady incubator of ideas, leaders and policies.

Fran has lived on the quiet backside of Telegraph Hill since 1976 looking out at the Bay Bridge, the historical warehouse district, and the famous parrots in greenery across Vallejo Street. She immediately joined THD, and now, having retired, is able to pursue her interest in preserving our historic neighborhood.

Fran also is on the Board of the Working America Education Fund, a nonprofit. WA, with over 5 million members across the country, is the community affiliate of the AFL-CIO, uniting working people who don’t have a union on the job. From its start in 2003, it has fought nationally and at state and local levels for good jobs, a fair economy, and a democracy that represents all of us.

She is a retired attorney who provided pro bono services to workers and unions focusing on worker health and safety. As well she has and continues to work on elections, canvassing around the country with Working America. She began her election work in 1948 when her mom cast a ballot in the 1948 Presidential election having handed off Fran to the poll workers (photo proof in an old Cincinnati Enquirer!).

Her daughter Rachael and son-in-law Blake and her two darling grandchildren Rose and Renzo live close by in SF.

Amber Ortiz is a mom, architect-urbanist, real estate project manager, and founder of ONE Cultural Reviews & gypsysungallery, where she strives to plant cultural seeds for relationships and projects to grow organically.

She attends and organizes many cultural and social events in San Francisco. She did this during college in Miami, in the first part of her career in NYC, and now as a mom and Telegraph Hill Dweller in San Francisco. She has discovered that connection is a solution to the postmodern condition.

She believes in the power of conversation and circulation. And what better way to find out what other people are thinking about - to connect - than to meet up at gatherings?

Stan has been a resident of Telegraph Hill since 1995. Along with his wife, Monica, he lives just off the Filbert Steps, amidst the flowers, trees, and parrots of the neighboring Grace Marchant Garden. 

A former 16-year planning commissioner in a town in Marin County, he is particularly interested in planning and land use. He has served multiple terms as Co-Chair of THD’s Planning & Zoning Committee, and he has represented THD on planning issues before such bodies as San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, the Historic Preservation Commission, and the Board of Appeals. He is a member of the SF Port’s Northern Advisory Committee. He was a member and former chair of the scientific advisory council of the Bay Area’s air pollution control agency. 

Formerly a principal of a large global environmental consulting firm, he is now retired.

David first moved to San Francisco in 2009, only to head east shortly after to pursue a PhD in English literature at Rutgers University. He returned in the spring of 2018 and has lived on Telegraph Hill since 2020. He’s a devoted steward of the Vallejo Steps Garden, and holds a special interest in restaoring native, pollinator-friendly habitats to our neighborhood. When he’s not in the garden, you’ll find him sailing on the Bay with his partner, Tricia, in a 25-foot sloop named Josephine.

North Beach has been home for nearly 30 years, aside from my two short stints living in downtown and Marin. And I always come back. I’ve been a longtime THD member, serving variously as a Board director, committee chair, and volunteer. Even when I have disagreed with the Board, I’ve valued THD’s clarity and strong reasoning on San Francisco’s and our neighborhood’s most spirited debates. I currently chair the THD Waterfront Committee, following developments along our neighborhood’s shoreline.