Bringing the Best of Tech & Policy to San Francisco: sf.citi Welcomes New Board Members
Less than two weeks into January and 2019 has already brought a lot of change to our city. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors inaugurated six new(ish) faces and elected Norman Yee as Board President. We’re also witnessing ongoing transformation to the city’s business and technology landscape. In the past year, data privacy became one of the top regulatory issues at the federal, state, and even city level. Autonomous vehicles are increasingly familiar sites on San Francisco streets, and are quickly expanding beyond passenger transportation. The gig economy, meanwhile, continues to grow with the rise of tech-driven home sharing, ride hailing, and delivery services.
To keep up with this momentous tide of change and ensure the best of tech and regulation for our city, sf.citi is excited to announce new leadership on our very own Board of Directors.
Each of the five new sf.citi Board Members brings a unique track record of business and political expertise at the local, state, and/or national level. We welcome their experience and insight in guiding sf.citi’s policy agenda and organizational development.
Meet the New sf.citi Board Members
VIKRUM AIYER
Vice President of Global Public Policy, Postmates
What he does at Postmates: Leads the legislative, regulatory, and policy discussions at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as oversees the company's social impact and corporate social responsibility arm, Postmates Civic Labs.
Other career highlights:
- Served as the Obama Administration's Chief of Staff for the Under Secretary of Commerce & U.S. Patent and Trademark system, and also served as senior advisor to The White House on innovation & manufacturing policy.
- Holds a leadership role on the Bay Area Council, the US Conference of Mayor's Business Council, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce New Economy Working group, and the Council on Foreign Relations.
"The City of San Francisco is uniquely poised to be both pro-technology and pro-worker. While this town is rooted in extraordinary innovation, each platform, each company, and each entrepreneur has a responsibility to also invest in the kind of R&D that offers inclusive and equitable economic outcomes for anyone who calls these seven miles home. With a new year, a new Administration, and new class of public servants, Postmates is proud to join the sf.citi Board of Directors and be a working partner to advance public policy that not only empowers technologists, but also serves the City's most vulnerable."
DILLON AUYOUNG
Director of Government Affairs, Comcast
What he does at Comcast: Oversees regulatory, franchising, political, and public policy matters.
Other Career Highlights:
- Served the past five years as the Local Government Affairs Manager for the City and County of San Francisco
- Worked as the Director of Government Relations at the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
CAMMY BLACKSTONE
Director of External Affairs in San Francisco, AT&T
What she does at AT&T: Manages AT&T's legislative and community affairs activities by working closely with community leaders, legislators, and other policy makers.
Other career highlights:
- Worked for the City and County of San Francisco, first as a legislative aide to Supervisors Tang, Chu, Alioto-Pier and Elsbernd, and then as Deputy Director of the Entertainment Commission
- Led a 25-year career in San Francisco radio and television, working on the air at KNBR, KFRC, KTVU and FoxSports
“Having sat on the sidelines and watched the action for the last few years, I am thrilled to be joining the board at sf.citi. I look forward to collaborating with the member organizations on policy issues, legislative matters, and innovative ways to work with all communities in San Francisco.”
ROB GRANT
Vice President of Government Affairs, Cruise Automation
What he does at Cruise: Spearheads Cruise’s legislative and policy priorities throughout the U.S and abroad.
Other Career Highlights:
- Led global policy efforts for self-driving startup Aurora Innovations and for the ridesharing company Lyft
- Worked at the United States Senate for over a decade
“sf.citi and its member companies have an unparalleled track record of driving innovation and collaboration to create meaningful change around pressing issues affecting the San Francisco community. From transportation policy, to housing and homelessness, sf.citi member companies work alongside San Francisco's leading decision-makers on solutions that move San Francisco forward. Cruise Automation is excited and honored to serve as a new member on the sf.citi's Board of Directors and to work alongside its members to serve the needs of all San Franciscans.”
REBECCA PROZAN
Chief of Public Affairs in California, Google
What she does at Google: Serves as the senior liaison to all local government and community entities throughout seven Google offices in the Golden State.
Other career highlights:
- Spent seven years prosecuting hundreds of misdemeanor and felony cases as an Assistant District Attorney
- Worked as Special Assistant to Mayor Willie Brown, securing funding for nonprofits, advocating for diversity on commissions, and organizing the Mayor's Summit for Women
“I'm incredibly excited to join the sf citi board. Along with other key leaders in the tech community, I'm hoping to be able to do even more to push sensible physical and virtual growth policies as well as develop partnerships to address pressing issues such as growth, opportunity, and education.”