Bay Area Host Committee Announces Inaugural Advisory Board to Advocate for Committee’s Mission to Unite the Bay Area Through Sport
Representing sport, government and professional leadership, advisors to engage on
behalf of BAHC priorities and Bay Area’s diverse communities
Santa Clara, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2024) – The Bay Area Host Committee (BAHC) today announced its inaugural advisory board representing a cross-section of sport, government and professional leadership from across the region. Working in partnership with the BAHC president and CEO, and board of directors, these foremost Bay Area-based advocates are uniquely positioned to support the BAHC mission of uniting the region through sport by promoting the Committee’s priorities and providing counsel on BAHC operations and initiatives.
“Each member of our advisory board has earned incredible admiration for their positive influence on their professions and on our region,” said Zaileen Janmohamed, president and CEO of the BAHC. “Through their valued expertise and deep roots in our communities, these advisors will be instrumental in our efforts to build a lasting legacy for the entire Bay Area.”
The BAHC advisory board is comprised of 12 members including Daniel Acosta, Brandi Chastain, Scott Dadich, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Festus Ezeli, Hydra Mendoza, Zaza Pachulia, Hunter Pence, Bob Powers, Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, Chris Wondolowski, and Steve Young. Going forward, membership will expand to reflect priorities of the evolving slate of BAHC events and programming.
“We have a powerful opportunity to bring together our diverse perspectives, professional expertise and dedication to our communities in service of the BAHC focus on betterment of the Bay Area through events across sports,” said Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, president of San Jose State University and BAHC advisory board member. “I’m honored to have an opportunity to advocate for our region through purpose-led engagement that prioritizes resident involvement and contributes to our region’s positive momentum.”
The Bay Area Host Committee (BAHC) is a 501c6 non-profit corporation focused on bringing world-class events to the Bay Area. Since Janmohamed's appointment as president and CEO of the BAHC in 2023, the Bay Area has secured the NBA All-Star Game in 2025, and Super Bowl LX and the FIFA World Cup in 2026 - making the region the first destination to host these two globally recognized events in a single year and setting the stage for an incredible 18-month run in Bay Area sports.
More About the Bay Area Host Committee Advisory Board:
Daniel Acosta, Managing Director & Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group
Danny is head of the West System for Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a leading management consulting firm with a global presence in over 50 countries and 30,000 employees. In this role, he steers BCG’s presence in California, including its social impact initiatives and its consulting operations across various sectors such as technology and healthcare. With a background as a Foreign Service Officer and a fervent advocate for public service, Danny has significantly contributed to diversity and inclusion efforts at BCG, fostering key partnerships aimed at benefiting local communities and economies. Additionally, he holds board positions at LAist/Southern California Public Radio and the Latino Donor Collaborative. He earned his Juris Doctorate and Master’s in Business Administration, both with honors, from Georgetown University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science, with honors, at Yale.
Fred Blackwell, CEO, The San Francisco Foundation
Fred Blackwell is the CEO of the San Francisco Foundation, one of the largest community foundations in the country. Since joining the foundation in 2014, Blackwell has led it in a renewed commitment to social justice through an equity agenda focused on racial and economic inclusion. Blackwell, an Oakland native, is a nationally recognized community leader with a longstanding career in the Bay Area. Prior to joining the foundation, he served as interim city administrator for the city of Oakland, where he previously served as the assistant city administrator. He was also the executive director of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency and director of the Mayor’s Office of Community Development in San Francisco. Blackwell serves on the board of the Independent Sector, the Bridgespan Group, the dean’s advisory council for UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design, and the community advisory council of the San Francisco Federal Reserve. He is a visiting professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at UC Berkeley. He holds a master’s degree in city planning from UC Berkeley and a bachelor’s degree in urban studies from Morehouse College.
Brandi Chastain, Co-founder, Bay FC
Born and raised in San Jose, Brandi Chastain is a retired soccer player, celebrated internationally for her achievements. She helped bring women’s soccer to the masses during the 1999 Women’s World Cup finals when she scored a legendary penalty-kick goal and then struck her now infamous pose. She has won two FIFA Women’s World Cups, two Olympic Golds, one Olympic Silver and the WUSA Championship. Chastain played at Santa Clara University, winning the Honda Sports Award as the nation’s top female soccer player. Over the past 30 years, she has held various coaching positions across the Bay Area at both the youth and collegiate levels and holds a U.S. Soccer A License. In 2004, she became a commentator and analyst for NBC during the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. Chastain founded Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative, a nonprofit helping underserved girls learn leadership skills through sports. She lives in the Bay Area with her husband.
Scott Dadich, CEO & Founder, Godfrey Dadich Partners
Scott Dadich is an award-winning designer, editor, and filmmaker. He is the CEO of Godfrey Dadich Partners, a communications design and storytelling firm he co-founded in 2017. In recognition of his innovation and impact, Dadich was awarded the 2020 National Design Award for Communication Design, the industry’s highest honor, given by Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Dadich spent 11 years at Condé Nast, where he was the editor-in-chief of WIRED until 2017, earning four National Magazine Awards for design. As vice president of editorial platforms, he conceived and led the development of digital magazine editions at Condé Nast, the first example of a major publisher re-imagining the print experience for tablets. He created and executive-produced Netflix’s Abstract: The Art of Design, the iconic anthology series about the visionary designers shaping the world around us. Abstract has been nominated for three Emmy Awards and received the IDA award for Best Episodic Series of 2019. Dadich is a graduate of Texas Tech University where he and his wife Amy established an endowed scholarship to support students who further the inclusion, diversity and equity initiatives of the School of Art.
Mike Dunleavy Jr., General Manager, Golden State Warriors
Mike Dunleavy Jr. is a basketball professional who has spent over 20 years in the NBA as both a player and executive. He graduated from Duke University, where he won a national championship in 2001. Following his career as a player, Dunleavy joined the Warriors' front office in 2018 as a pro scout. From there, he served as the Vice President of Basketball Operations, Assistant General Manager, and most recently, as General Manager. His promotion in June came after two-time executive of the year Bob Meyers stepped down. Dunleavy won his first NBA championship in 2022 after the Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.
Festus Ezeli, Sports Analyst for NBA Sports Bay Area & California
Festus Ezeli is a former professional basketball player selected by the Golden State Warriors with the 30th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft first round. During his time with the Warriors, Ezeli played a crucial role as a rim protector and provided valuable minutes at the Center position. He was an integral part of the Warriors team that won an NBA Championship during the 2014-2015 season. His shot-blocking prowess and physical presence in the paint contributed to the team's success. Beyond basketball, Ezeli has been involved in philanthropic endeavors, using his platform to give back to his community and promote positive change. This is especially true for young fans in his home country of Nigeria. After his NBA career, Ezeli also ventured into various business and entrepreneurial pursuits, with the most recent being a Sports Analyst role with NBC Sports.
Hydra Mendoza, Vice President, Chief of Strategic Relationships in the Office of the Chair & CEO, Salesforce
A distinguished education and public service leader, Hydra Mendoza currently serves as the VP, Chief of Strategic Relationships in the Office of the Chair and CEO at Salesforce. Previously, she served as Sr. Advisor on Education to former Mayor Gavin Newsom, Deputy Chief of Staff on Education and Equity to the late Mayor Edwin Lee, and Deputy Chancellor of Community Empowerment, Partnerships, and Communications for NYC Public Schools with Mayor Bill de Blasio and Chancellor Richard Carranza. Mendoza was the first and only Filipina ever elected to office in San Francisco and served on the SFUSD Board of Education for 12 years. It was in that role and with Mayor Lee and Marc Benioff that she helped co-architect the original educational investments made by Salesforce. Mendoza is originally from San Francisco and is committed to improving her local community, serving the most vulnerable, and being impactful with resource consumption. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Glide Foundation, the Bay Area Council, the California Academy of Sciences, and as an Advisor to the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good at USF.
Zaza Pachulia, Liaison for Business & Basketball, Golden State Warriors
A retired professional basketball player, Zaza Pachulia spent five years in Istanbul and 16 years in the NBA. One of the highlights of Pachulia's career came during his tenure with the Golden State Warriors, where he played a crucial role in the team's success during their championship runs in 2017 and 2018. Known for his toughness and ability to contribute on both ends of the floor, Pachulia earned the respect of teammates and fans alike. Off the court, Pachulia has been involved in various business and philanthropic efforts, particularly in his home country of Georgia. He has supported initiatives aimed at improving education and healthcare in the region, showcasing his commitment to making a positive impact beyond basketball. Pachulia has also established himself as a successful entrepreneur and investor, with experience in hospitality, fitness, fashion, and real estate. Currently, he advises the Warriors on a variety of topics.
Hunter Pence, Analyst, MLB Network
Hunter Pence is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder and current sports broadcaster who won two World Series championships with the San Francisco Giants. Over a 14-season career, he also played for the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers. Pence's journey began at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he showcased his potential and was eventually drafted by the Astros in 2004. Throughout his career, Pence was celebrated for his relentless work ethic and coveted inspirational speeches, becoming a four-time All-Star and beloved figure among fans. Following his retirement, Pence transitioned into broadcasting, offering insights as an analyst for the San Francisco Giants, NBC Sports, and MLB Network. He also engages with the community through his nonprofit, the Healthy Planet Project, and has become an established speaker. Residing in San Francisco with his wife, Lexi, Pence remains an influential figure in the Bay Area, inspiring future generations with his commitment to serving the community.
Robert (Bob) Powers, General Manager, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART)
As the General Manager of BART, Bob Powers leads the largest public transit agency serving the Bay Area and is responsible for providing safe, clean, and reliable rail service throughout five counties and 26 cities. During his 12-year tenure at BART, he has held a variety of positions, including Assistant General Manager of Planning, Development & Construction and Deputy General Manager. In 2019, Powers was unanimously appointed General Manager by the BART Board of Directors. He is a licensed Professional Engineer with more than 20 years of experience in the public transportation industry overseeing major infrastructure projects and transportation programs. Powers holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in Structural Engineering, both from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is currently on the Board of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Executive Board of the Bay Area Council and serves as Chair of the Clipper Executive Board (CEB) and Chair of the Regional Network Management (RNM) Council. Recently, he was appointed by the California Secretary of Transportation to the state’s Transit Transformation Task Force.
Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President, San José State University
Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson serves as the 31st president of San José State University. An internationally recognized Latina leader, President Teniente-Matson is a champion of student success initiatives; diversity, equity and inclusion; civic engagement; and experiential learning. She has an active presence on campus and is involved in the community, serving on the boards of various local organizations including the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Bay Area Council and Joint Venture Silicon Valley. Dr. Teniente-Matson is also a former board member of several national organizations, including the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the American Council on Education (ACE). Her career spans more than 30 years in higher education. Prior to SJSU, President Teniente-Matson led Texas A&M University-San Antonio from 2015 to 2023 as the second president in the university’s history. President Teniente-Matson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Management from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks; a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alaska, Anchorage; and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from California State University, Fresno.
Chris Wondolowski, Soccer Operations, San Jose Earthquakes
Chris Wondolowski, born in Danville, California, is a retired American professional soccer player renowned for his outstanding goal-scoring prowess. He started his collegiate soccer career at Chico State University before joining Major League Soccer (MLS) with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2005. Wondolowski briefly played for the Houston Dynamo, where he was part of the team that won two MLS Cups in 2006 and 2007. He returned to the Earthquakes in 2009, marking the beginning of his rise as a top goal scorer in the league. In 2010, he won the MLS Golden Boot, and in 2012, he was honored with the MLS Most Valuable Player Award. Wondolowski was also a key player for the United States men's national team, making a notable appearance in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He retired in 2020 as the all-time leading goal scorer in MLS history, cementing his status as a legend in American soccer. Post-retirement, Wondolowski has been involved in various soccer-related activities, including coaching and community engagement.
Steve Young, Chairman & Co-Founder at HGGC
A Hall of Fame NFL quarterback, Steve Young dedicated over 15 years to professional football, predominantly with the San Francisco 49ers. He earned numerous accolades, including being named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XXIX, securing the titles of Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated and Sporting News from 1992 to 1994, and receiving the NFL's Most Valuable Player award for 1992 and 1994. Upon retirement, he held the record for the highest quarterback rating in NFL history and remains the only quarterback to clinch four consecutive NFL passing titles. Following his football career, Young transitioned into a former ESPN analyst and a best-selling author while entering the world of private equity, establishing himself as a notable leader. He co-founded HGGC, a private equity firm managing over $6.9B in capital commitments. Additionally, Young has held the position of Chairman of the Board for HGGC portfolio companies: IDERA, Integrity, and DealerFX. Young founded and currently chairs the Forever Young Foundation, an organization deeply involved in supporting children's charities globally. He also has taken on a significant role in advancing the national women’s flag football initiative and is a former International Spokesperson for the Children's Miracle Network, a philanthropy that has successfully raised over a billion dollars to aid children's hospitals worldwide.