Marin Economic Forum Announces New Board of Directors

Marin Economic Forum

San Rafael, CA (February 23, 2018) – Marin Economic Forum Chief Executive Officer Robin Sternberg announced today a slate of new directors for the economic advocacy organization’s non-executive board.

New Board Directors are:

  • Karah Parschauer, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Ultragenyx
  • Steve Fox, Chief Financial Officer of EO Products
  • Kevin Kearney, Real Estate Consultant, Vanguard Properties
  • Sherie Hickman, Administrator at Novato Community Hospital
  • Christian Thwaites, Chief Strategist at Brouwer & Janachowski

Marin employers agitate for Novato Narrows completion

Marin Independent Journal
Transportation planners need more funds to complete the Novato Narrows widening project on Highway 101 between northern Marin and Petaluma. (IJ photo/Alan Dep)


Transportation planners need more funds to complete the Novato Narrows widening project on Highway 101 between northern Marin and Petaluma. (IJ photo/Alan Dep)

Marin business leaders say completing the Novato Narrows widening is crucial for the economy of the North Bay and they hope new funding sources can see the project through.

Sources of cash from a state gas tax increase and possible bridge toll increase made getting $250 million to finish the work a possibility.

And Marin transportation officials are speeding up the design of Novato Narrows widening to make sure they are ready to go to construction if money becomes available. 

Marin Economic Forum Hires New CEO

Marin Independent Journal
By Adrian Rodriguez

A local expert on economic development and job growth strategies has been selected to lead the Marin Economic Forum as its fourth chief executive officer since 2011.

Robin SternbergRobin Sternberg, a 54-year-old Kentfield resident, has been named CEO of the San Rafael nonprofit, a public-private partnership created in 2010 to foster economic growth in the county while also enhancing social equity and protecting the environment.

Sternberg replaces Michael Kadel, who has served as interim CEO since May after Jim Cordeiro, the forum’s third chief executive, resigned in January after serving less than a year in the position. Sternberg will earn $125,000 annually.

Picked from four candidates, Sternberg stood out because “she had such a terrific background in government, politics and fundraising,” said Haden Ongaro, chairman of the 36-member board governing the forum.

Her resume includes a stint as executive director of the Governor’s Job Creation Initiative for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and another as a member of the finance committee for the Obama campaign in 2007-08. She was also elected as a state delegate for the Democratic National Convention in 2008 in Denver.