Yerba Buena Alliance 25th Annual Gala

Join us for an amazing evening showcasing the Yerba Buena neighborhood’s best with exceptional food and drinks in this amazing venue with incredible views of the Gardens and City skyline. The event celebrates the creation of the Gardens, it’s community and our 2016 honorees: the Office of Community Investment Infrastructure (OCCI), Karen Carr, Manager of One Hawthorne Owner’s Association, and John Elberling , President of TODCO.


Proceeds from the Gala support the Alliance’s mission of neighborhood community building and promote the Yerba Buena Neighborhood recognized as a model across the country for its diversity and interweaving of uses.

Wednesday, September 28th

City View at Metreon

Sponsor Reception 5:00 - 6:00 PM

Gala & Program 6:00 - 8:00 PM


2016 Gala Award Winners

2016 Unsung Hero Award

Karen Carr

Manager of One Hawthorne Owner’s Association and a founding and continuing Board Member of the Alliance. She is also the voice for the residents of the neighborhood ensuring that Yerba Buena remains one of the most sought-after places to live in San Francisco. Karen is recognized for her work establishing the condo communities St. Regis, Museum Parc and One Hawthorne in the Yerba Buena neighborhood, building strong ties between residents and the community.

2016 Organizational Champion Award

Office of Community Investment & Infrastructure

We recognize the OCII, successor to the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, for the creation and execution of the Gardens plan, and commend them for their commitment to keeping the integrity of the Yerba Buena neighborhood throughout its transformation into a vibrant neighborhood and self-sustaining independent community.

25th Anniversary Lifetime Achievement Award

John Elberling

President of TODCO, is a long-time community advocate and staunch supporter of community engagement in the planning and development process of this neighborhood and the needs of seniors in the community, John Elberling is acknowledged for his contribution to the vision and the plan for Yerba Buena Gardens and his decades of civic engagement to make the neighborhood what it is today.

2016 Honorary Committee

Alphabetically by Organization

Supervisor Jane Kim Supervisor, D6 City & County of San Francisco
The Honorable Edwin M. Lee Mayor of San Francisco City & County of San Francisco
Mara Rosales Chairperson Commission on Community Investment and Infrastructure ("CCII")
Lori Starr Executive Director Contemporary Jewish Museum
Supervisor London Breed President, Board of Supervisors District 5 Board of Supervisors
Wade Rose Vice President External & Government Relations at Dignity Health
Juslyn Manalo Community Engagement & Community Development Forest City Enterprises
Matt Witte Managing Partner Marwit
Belva Davis Journalist Retired journalist and 2014 Unsung Hero Awardee
Joe D'Alessandro President and CEO San Francisco Travel
Maria Jenson Community Relations Public Partnerships Manager SFMOMA
Rev. Roberto Andrey Pastor St. Patrick Church
Toni Knorr General Manager St. Regis
Andy Kluger Mexican Museum Board Chair The Mexican Museum
Linda Harrison Exec Director The Museum of the African Diaspora
Nancy Pelosi Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leader. United States Congress
The Honorable Willie L. Brown Former Mayor Willie Brown Institute
Deborah Cullinan Executive Director Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Lance Burwell Board Chair Yerba Buena Community Benefit District & St. Regis Residences
Paige Scott Manager Yerba Buena Ice Skating & Bowling Center

2016 Gala Sponsors

A sincere THANK YOU to our GALA SPONSORS for their support of the Gala and the Yerba Buena Alliance!