Mayor Lee nominated Sonia Melara to the Police Commission, Gwyneth Borden to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Board of Directors, Christine Johnson to the Planning Commission and re-nominated Rodney Fong for another term on the Planning Commission.

"These four worthy nominees not only have a history of public service and hands on experience that will benefit our City, but they also reflect the great diversity of San Francisco," said Mayor Lee. "I’m proud to nominate Sonia Melara to the Police Commission to work with Chief Suhr and the SFPD to make sure San Francisco remains one of the safest big cities in America. Gwyneth Borden’s experience will be invaluable at the SFMTA Board as we invest in transportation infrastructure that will serve a growing San Francisco and a transportation system that is safe, reliable and affordable for everyone.I’ve been impressed with Christine Johnson’s financial leadership skills and experience in building sustainable communities, and I’m glad that she has agreed to serve on the Planning Commission as we make critical smart growth decisions and build more housing. Rodney Fong’s leadership and work on behalf of the Planning Commission has helped San Francisco grow smartly and develop responsibly for our residents, and I’m grateful that he has agreed to serve another term."

Sonia E. Melara, MSW, is currently the Vice-President of the Health Commission and the Executive Director of Rally Family Visitation Services of Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, a place that strives to provide a safe and protective environment to families experiencing separation, divorce and domestic violence while fostering and maintaining health relationships under the supervision of highly trained mental health professionals. She serves as part-time faculty at San Francisco State University’s School of Social Work and Gerontology. Melara has a long history of community service. She served as a Presidential Appointee on the National Advisory Commission of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and she has also served on the Parking and Traffic Commission, the Immigrant Rights Commission, and the Redistricting Task Force. Melara currently serves on the Board of On Lok Senior Services. Melara is co-founder of both domestic violence support organization La Casa De Las Madres, and business incubator for low-income minority food entrepreneurs La Cocina. Melara has served as Executive Director of the San Francisco City and County Department on the Status of Women and under Melara’s leadership, San Francisco became the first City in the world to adopt a local ordinance reflecting the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Melara holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from San Francisco State University and a Bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University.

Gwyneth J. Borden is currently a Commissioner on the Planning Commission, having served since 2008. In 2013, Gwyneth served on the Mayor’s 2030 Transportation Taskforce. Borden is the Executive Director of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association (GGRA), leading promotion of the Bay Area’s thriving restaurant industry and small businesses. Prior to joining GGRA, Borden spent 10 years at IBM as the Manager of Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs for several states in the Western United States, managing IBM’s corporate citizenship, government relations and philanthropic activities focused on education, sustainability, workforce and economic development. Borden was also the Director of Government Relations for the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, Legislative Aide to then Supervisor Gavin Newsom and Staff Assistant to U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer. Borden is a recognized leader in business and the community, and has been involved in a number of community and philanthropic organizations including the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR) Board of Directors and Bayview Hunter’s Point YMCA. Borden holds a Bachelor’s degree in Policy Studies from Dickinson College in Pennsylvania.

Christine D. Johnson is currently Chair of the Commission on Community Investment and Infrastructure, one of two governing bodies for the Successor Agency to the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency and exercises land use, development and design approval authority for the Major Approved Development Projects including Mission Bay, Hunters Point Shipyard/Candlestick Point and Transbay. Johnson is also Principal at Berry Main, LLC, an economic development consultancy dedicated to working with community-based organizations and private and public sectors on smart policies to maximize urban economic growth and promote sustainable communities. Johnson was Senior Product Manager at BNY Mellon Corporate Trust, specializing in local, state and federal public financial markets and Senior Product Manager at Emphasys, leading development of public finance instruments and debt management software solution for local governments. Johnson also serves as President of the Advisory Board of the San Francisco Community Investment Fund (SFCIF) which was created by the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency to successfully apply for federal New Market Tax Credits and allocated approximately $80 million in tax credits over two funding cycles for projects including SF Jazz, College Track, American Conservatory Theater’s Strand Theater and the Renoir Hotel. Johnson currently serves as Treasurer of the San Francisco Housing Development Corporation, a nonprofit devoted to fostering financial stability in distressed minority communities by developing of affordable housing and providing financial education. Johnson has also served on the Board of the Bayview Opera House and served on the Mayor’s Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the San Francisco Hunter’s Point Shipyard Redevelopment. Johnson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Science from Smith College in Maine.

Rodney A. Fong is currently Vice President of the Planning Commission and is being re-nominated by Mayor Lee for another four-year term. Fong served on the Port Commission prior to his appointment to the Planning Commission. Fong is a native San Franciscan and a third generation operator and owner of the world famous Wax Museum at Fisherman’s Wharf, where he served as President. He is also the President of Fong Real Estate Co., overseeing leasing and tenant concerns for the family properties, such as the 100,000 square foot Wax Museum building in the heart of historic Fisherman’s Wharf. Fong has been active and held office in several tourism and travel related organizations including the San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl 50 Host Committee, San Francisco Travel Association, Fisherman’s Wharf Merchant’s Association, Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District, Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation and California Travel Industry Association. Fong is also the Director of the Fong Family Foundation, which is a philanthropic organization that benefits many worthwhile social services programs in the community.