HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-01 Jennifer Torai ATHENA Award
Jennifer Torai – ATHENA Emerging Professional Leadership Award 2024
WHEREAS, Jennifer Torai is being honored with a 2024 ATHENA Emerging Professional Leadership Award, which recognizes exceptional women leaders who demonstrate the highest levels of professional excellence, give back to their communities and, most importantly, assist other women in realizing their full leadership potential. The Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce annually bestows the award to the change-makers and trailblazers who open doors of leadership and opportunity for women in communities across the globe; and WHEREAS, Jennifer’s dedication to racial and health equity for marginalized communities started at a young age and has been prominent throughout both her education and professional career. Jennifer is the co-founder of non-profit Asian Women Empowered, and has been involved with numerous organizations including the National Association of Social Workers, Asian Pacific Islander Social Work Council of Northern California, and the State Council on Developmental
Disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Jennifer completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a master’s degree in urban planning from San Jose State University. Jennifer subsequently became a social worker and
counselor at Future Families, a non-profit organization serving youth who have faced substantial challenges. Jennifer then returned to San Jose State University to complete her a second master’s degree in social work; and
WHEREAS, after completing this master’s degree, Jennifer continued her career in social work, working for the
Regional Center of the East Bay as a case manager and autism spectrum disorders coordinator for six years. During her time there, Jennifer became increasingly interested in the impact of government policies. Jennifer pursued this growing interest throughout her career, serving as Community Programs Manager at Stanford Health, Adjunct Professor of Social Work at San Jose State University, and Director of Learning and Member Engagement at Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits over the years; and
WHEREAS, in her current role as the Director of Local Government Affairs at Stanford Health Care, Jennifer engages directly with government policies by focusing on the organization’s initiatives at the local government level and building relationships with local government leaders, non-profits and community stakeholders through Stanford Health Care’s service area; and WHEREAS, Jennifer’s dedication to professional excellence, leadership, and community empowerment is clear through her professional achievements.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Greer Stone, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, on behalf of the entire City Council, do hereby commend Jennifer Torai for her exceptional leadership and congratulate her as a 2024 ATHENA Award honoree.
Presented: October 1, 2024
______________________________ Greer Stone Mayor
Proclamation