Mayor Lurie Announces Appointment of New Fire, Human Services, and Library Commissioners

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today announced the appointment and reappointment of six commissioners who will serve San Francisco. The mayor reappointed Paula Collins to the Fire Commission and Scott Kahn to the Human Services Commission. He also appointed Matthew Kenaston and Anu Menon and reappointed Jarie Bolander and Dr. Eurania Isabel López to the Library Commission. 

“These appointees bring decades of experience in public service and community leadership,” said Mayor Lurie. “Their expertise will help us continue to support San Francisco’s kids and families and keep our city safe, and I look forward to working with them to drive San Francisco’s recovery.” 

Jarie Bolander is a technology executive, entrepreneur, and inventor with more than two decades of experience founding, scaling, and operating complex technology companies. He has served in executive leadership roles across startups and global semiconductor firms, bringing deep expertise in product development, manufacturing, operations, and cross-functional team leadership. He is the owner and principal of a San Francisco-based public relations and marketing firm, has raised significant venture funding, served on multiple boards, and authored several books focused on entrepreneurship and management. His public service includes appointment to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Citizens Advisory Council and longstanding community leadership roles in San Francisco neighborhoods. 

Paula Collins is a San Francisco civic leader and real estate executive with experience at the intersection of development, finance, and public service. She is the founder and CEO of WDG Ventures Inc. and Portfolio Real Estate Consulting, and has an extensive record of public, corporate, and nonprofit board service. She has served in senior leadership roles with national and regional AAA organizations, with major insurance and banking institutions, and as a presidential appointee to the Presidio Trust, where she later served as board chair. Collins holds a master's in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s from Mount Holyoke College, and her career has been recognized with awards for business leadership, public service, and contributions to the economic health of San Francisco. 

Scott L. Kahn is a lifelong San Franciscan and a longstanding civic leader with a history of community service. A resident of Presidio Heights, his public service began early, volunteering with the San Francisco Big Brother Association in the 1970s before joining the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, where he served as a park director across multiple city sites and worked at the Recreation Center for the Handicapped. Appointed to the San Francisco Human Services Commission in 2008, he has served as commission president since 2017. Professionally, he is the owner of Kahn Associates, a real estate firm, and previously served as vice president of Zel R. Kahn & Sons, a family-run San Francisco business with more than 90 years of history. 

Matthew Kenaston is a wealth management and fiduciary leader with nearly three decades of experience overseeing financial strategy, investment governance, and long-term stewardship of capital. Currently a partner at Cerity Partners, he advises individuals and families on portfolio construction, risk management, and tax-aware financial planning. Kenaston has a strong record of nonprofit and board service that directly aligns with the responsibilities of the Library Commission. He currently serves on the board of trustees of the San Francisco Friends School, contributing to finance, investment, and governance committees, and previously served as treasurer and finance committee chair for Friends of the San Francisco Public Library. 

Dr. Eurania Isabel López is a student services and higher education leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing access and student success across K-12, community college, and university settings. She currently serves as director of student resource services at San Francisco State University’s Graduate College of Education. Dr. López brings deep expertise in academic advising, program development, conflict resolution, and institutional leadership, supported by a Doctorate in International and Multicultural Education. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she is widely recognized for her ability to foster inclusive environments, strengthen student pipelines, and translate policy into meaningful outcomes for diverse communities. 

Anu Menon is a philanthropic, nonprofit, and public-sector leader with more than 25 years of experience building and scaling high-impact organizations. She is the founder and CEO of Sahana Fund, where she has deployed millions in trust-based philanthropic and political giving focused on women’s rights, mental health, reproductive autonomy, and economic mobility. Previously, Anu served as executive director of Oasis for Girls and in senior roles in community engagement, operations, and policy, including leadership within the City and County of San Francisco. She brings governance experience through multiple board roles, a strong understanding of public accountability, and a longstanding commitment to serving diverse communities in San Francisco.