Author: Alfredo Casuso

media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

May 29^th BuildIT California Founders Day Conference & Awards Brings Record Attendance to InterContinental Los Angeles

Phillip A. Washington Receives the “Built Community Impact Award” for his lifetime of service as the Chief Executive Officer of 
Denver International Airport, former CEO of LA Metro, former CEO of Denver’s Regional Transportation District, and 24-Year U.S. Army Active Duty Service Career

12 June 2025 – Los Angeles, CA  BuildIT(https://www.build-it.world) the world’s largest industry association dedicated to the sustainable development of LGBT/Allied businesses, professionals, tradespeople in construction, architecture, engineering and large-scale real estate development honored Phillip A. Washington, and others, at their Founders Day Conference and Gala Dinner & Awards event held on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at the InterContinental Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The event was attended by nearly 1,100 individuals, construction industry leaders, public agency representatives and thought leaders from around the world.

Phil Washington received the Built Community Impact award for his lifetime of service as the Chief Executive Officer of multiple large transportation infrastructure organizations, including Denver International Airport, as well as his role in founding the Equity in Infrastructure Project which is a national organization dedicated to increasing the generational wealth of Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs) through public contracting in infrastructure. 

“Phil Washington is one of the most transformativeleaders within the design and construction industry throughout the United States, and beyond,” stated BuildIT’s President Paul Pendergast. “For decades, his thought leadership has developed innovative programs that create meaningful opportunities that build businesses and change lives for the better. Consistently, Phil has taken on the challenges that other infrastructure development leaders have bypassed.”  

“I am deeply honored to receive the 2025 Built Community Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Phil Washington, CEO of Denver International Airport. “Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by two core passions: advancing transportation infrastructure and opening doors for Historically Underutilized Businesses in this industry. Empowering these businesses with the training, relationships, and expertise they need to compete—and succeed—on major projects is not just a professional goal, it’s a personal mission. This work matters, and I am proud to continue championing it every day.”

Phil Washington became CEO of Denver International Airport in July 2021. DEN is the world’s 6th busiest airport with an annual economic impact of $47.2B. He also oversees 40,000+ badged employees with 27 air carriers and over 200 concessions. In 2023,Washington broke ground on a first-of-its kind Center of Equity & Excellence in Aviation that is intended to create a pipeline of talent for Denver and the aviation industry more broadly, with a concentration on under-served communities, historically underutilized businesses, military veterans and women.   

Washington is also the Co-Founder of the Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP) which is a national non-profit organization which exists to improve public contracting practices by creating more opportunities for HUBs to build generational wealth and reduce the racial wealth gap by creating more prime, joint venture and contracting opportunities for these firms.

“Since the opening days of BuildIT, Phil has been an advocate for the inclusion of our LGBT businesses in Design/Construction/Material Supply firms and a champion of our workforce development efforts,” said BuildIT founder and President Paul Pendergast. “He is both the definition of an ally, and a consummate professional.” 

About BuildIT:
BuildIT is the world’s largest LGBTQ Industry Association dedicated to the sustainable growth of LGBTQ/Allied owned and certified businesses, professionals, tradespeople, thought leaders and stakeholders, in the fields of Architecture, Engineering, Construction Services, Program/Construction Management, Material Suppliers, Large Scale-Real Estate Development, and Related Industries.

​BuildIT welcomes participation from all individuals based on merit, achievement, and commitment to excellence. BuildIT recognizes the value that different perspectives bring to their mission of excellence in the Built Environment and they are committed to maintaining an ecosystem where all members associated with the Built Community have access to opportunity. Membership and opportunities within BuildIT are available to anyone who meets our established professional criteria and standards.

Media Contacts:
David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 
Lauren Macmadu / (415) 350-1884 / lmacmadu@ybca.org

YBCA ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS FROM
CITY HALL, PUBLIC ART FUND, AND THE NONPROFIT SECTOR  

Bay Area contemporary arts center poised to advance its impact and cultural mission expands its leadership team.

June 11, 2025 – San Francisco, CA: The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) today announced the expansion of its executive leadership team, welcoming three dynamic leaders from across the public, cultural, and nonprofit sectors. Under the leadership of CEO Mari Robles, YBCA is positioning itself to elevate artistic innovation, deepen its civic impact, and expand its role as a vital community anchor in downtown San Francisco.

A trusted civic leader and lifelong arts supporter, Matthew Goudeau joins as Chief Development Officer, where he will oversee fundraising, grants, and donor engagement. Goudeau brings more than two decades of experience in philanthropy, arts advocacy, and public service. Most recently, Goudeau served as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of Mayor Daniel Lurie, after working on both the Mayor’s campaign and transition. Matthew’s prior roles in city government include Director of Grants for the Arts in the City and County of San Francisco, Director of Philanthropy for the city’s Give2SF COVID-19 Fund, and Deputy Chief of Protocol within the Mayor’s office for more than a decade. Goudeau will begin on July 14, 2025.

“YBCA has always been one of the most inspiring places in San Francisco for me, a space where art brings people together and sparks new ways of thinking,” said Goudeau. “I’m thrilled to step into this role at a moment when creativity is playing such an important role in how we rebuild and reconnect as a city. I look forward to helping grow YBCA’s impact and supporting the artists and communities that make this city so vibrant.” 

YBCA also welcomes the return of Dorothy Dávila in a new role as Chief of Curatorial Initiatives. A seasoned cultural producer, Dávila will lead program strategy which includes exhibitions, education, and community partnerships, and will work closely with a forthcoming visual arts curator to produce YBCA’s gallery and public art program. She most recently served as Director of Creative Partnerships at the Public Art Fund, where she worked to showcase international artists to create public art at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s new Terminal 6. In addition to YBCA, she has previously held roles at Headlands Center for the Arts and Harvard Art Museums. Dávila begins in August 2025.

“What drew me back here was YBCA’s rich history of presenting the art of our time, showcasing local and global artists across disciplines to engage with the Bay Area and beyond,” said Dávila. “I am thrilled to bring the experience I have gained at Public Art Fund and Headlands Center for the Arts back to an institution I am deeply committed to, and I look forward to reimagining a dynamic artistic program rooted in YBCA’s core mission and values.”

Along with Goudeau and Dávila, YBCA recently welcomed Valrie Nozipho Sanders as Chief Financial Officer. A seasoned nonprofit finance leader with over two decades of experience, Sanders has advanced financial sustainability and operational excellence across the Bay Area’s mission-driven organizations. She has held senior roles at organizations focused on social justice, education, and community empowerment, most recently as Chief Financial & Operations Officer at Hamilton Families and previously as Director of Finance at the Glide Foundation. 

“Throughout my career, I’ve been drawn to organizations that center social justice, education, and community empowerment,” said Sanders. “At YBCA, I’m excited to bring that same commitment—building the financial and administrative systems that will support the long-term health of the organization, and ensure artists and communities continue to thrive together.”

Goudeau, Dávila, and Sanders will work closely with the existing members of the leadership team, which includes Chris Griffin and Lauren Macmadu. Promoted last year to General Manager, Griffin boasts nearly a decade of experience at YBCA, where he has overseen event operations, production, and performance partnerships. As Chief External Relations Officer, Macmadu leads the organization’s communications, marketing, and visitor experience, bringing more than 20 years of strategic leadership in nonprofit, corporate, and cultural sectors. 

“This moment demands visionary leadership, and I’m incredibly proud and grateful for the outstanding new hires that are joining the team,” said Mari Robles, CEO of YBCA. “Each of these leaders brings a unique blend of experience, creativity, and a deep-rooted commitment to building community through the arts. Together, we’re shaping a YBCA that is not only a cultural anchor in San Francisco, but also strives to be a vital force for connection, and bold new ideas—right when our city and our communities need it most.” 

The expansion of YBCA’s executive team comes ahead of a bold fall season of both visual arts exhibitions, as well as a lineup of performances at the Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA, which will be announced in the coming weeks.

YBCA programs are made possible in part by Blue Shield of California, the City and County of San Francisco, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, James R. Lilienthal Trust, California Arts Council, Yerba Buena Partnership, Meridee Moore, Beard Family Foundation, Schwab Charitable Fund, Gaia Fund, David and Carla Crane Foundation, Andrew Skillman and Lydia Choy Charitable Fund, Amy and Hannah Eliot, Maria Kim, Tides Foundation, Wayee Chu and Ethan Beard, Amanda Minami, Klau Family Fund, Peter Rigano and Cody Hicks, Harvey and Leslie Wagner Foundation, Robert and Junko Kenmotsu, The San Francisco Foundation, and YBCA Members.

For more information visit www.ybca.org.

About YBCA:
Opened to the public in 1993, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) was founded as the cultural anchor of San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens neighborhood. Our work spans the realms of contemporary art, performance, film, civic engagement, and public life. By centering artists as essential to social and cultural movement, YBCA is reimagining the role an arts institution can play in the communities it serves. For more information, visit ybca.org.

YBCA is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00am to 5:00pm. General admission is $10, and $5 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased in person or reserved in advance at ybca.org. Admission is free every Wednesday and on the second Sunday of each month. 

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1968 Redux

by David Eugene Perry

We live in two different countries. Here is the truth of it: this is a moral and philosophical Civil War. Trump supporters see a country of lawlessness. Anti-Trumpers (including yours truly) see an administration of authoritarianism.  Both sides agree that a crisis of historic political proportions is upon us.

I ache for the peaceful protesters opposing Trump’s haphazard and draconian immigration raids and policies.

I ache for the members of the Los Angeles Police Department, California National Guard, California Highway Patrol and United States Marines — and their families and loved ones — who have been forced into an emotional and confusing situation made worse by the actions of a president who never had the honor of wearing a uniform.

I ache for the small businesses, homes and families being cruelly attacked by vandals, thugs and anarchists. Everyone listed above should agree on that. Setting Waymos on fire, spewing hateful rhetoric and attacking our first responders is a crime and should in no way be defended or rationalized.

1968 has time-travelled to us.