APPROVED MINUTES

California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls – Full Commission Business Meeting

January 12, 2026, at 12:00 pm

Item 2 – Roll Call

STAFF PRESENT

Darcy Totten

Max Macedo

Morgan Beatty

Christine Foord

Katherine Squire

Cherilyn Otubuah

Yating Campbell

Alex Zucco

Enrica Bertoldo

Item 7 – Executive Director Updates

1. Personnel

Executive Director Darcy Totten (DT) assumed speaking responsibilities. Briefly shared updates on Commission committees and shared more details should materialize soon. DT shared personnel updates – including two (2) new fulltime personnel hires this week in Enrica Bertoldo and Brenda Lusk, briefly discussed the remaining vacancies.

2. Introduction of Enrica Bertoldo

DT introduced Enrica Bertoldo (EB), Director of Grants, Partnerships, and Programs. EB assumed speaking responsibilities and shared a brief biography with expressed pleasure of joining the Commission and thanking Commissioners for the opportunity. Turned the floor back to DT.

3. Strategic Planning

DT provided updates on ongoing strategic planning training and retreat. Shared that a new Doodle Poll was distributed by the Executive Administrator and requested Commissioners or their staff take a moment to reply to it. DT shared updates on needing to change the dates of the 2-day in-person event due to Commissioner availability and a brief update that related procurements are ongoing. DT discussed the potential distribution of a new Commissioner Handbook and outlined a plan to onboard all Commissioners this calendar year, beginning with new Commissioners.

Item 8 – Operations Updates

1. 60th Anniversary Follow Up Meeting

Commission Chair requested updates on operations. Executive Director Darcy Totten (DT) quickly provided updates to follow up meetings in support of the recent 60^th Anniversary Convening. Commission Chair requested all Commissioners be invited or re-invited to all planned meetings to which DT acknowledged. DT introduced and turned the floor over to Maxwell Macedo (MM), Director of Fiscal and Administration.

2. Budget Updates

MM assumed speaking responsibilities and provided updates on the Commission’s current fiscal health, sharing the budget has been fully reconciled through November 2025, that the projected fund health is positive with beginning of fiscal year projections meeting current expenditures and procurements. MM shared ongoing plan for remaining budget and ongoing procurements related to Commission operations. DT provided brief update regarding the Commissions Budget Change Proposal, noting that other than continued meetings with the Department of Finance, there are no other updates to provide.

3. Personnel

MM shared the graduation of two (2) past interns in December, proceeded to introduce and discuss new student interns (some present and some virtual). Commission Chair requested all present student interns to briefly introduce themselves, noting which school they are attending, what their major is, and anything else. Three (3) interns present introduced themselves and provided background information. Commission Chair thanked and applauded the student interns. 

Item 9 – Communications and Events

1. Gender Responsive Budgeting

Commission Chair requested updates from communications team (and external affairs) be provided, to which the floor was turned over to Yating Campbell (YC). YC shared updates on the planned rollout of the Gender Responsive Budgeting research report.

2. Partners and Events

YC briefly shared updates on partnerships and events, discussing the upcoming Youth in Technology event, California Women Lead Winter Reception, Screening the Class, and past events. Provided updates on the Commissions involvement in Habitat for Humanity’s First Annual Jingle Build, where the Commission received an award and recognition for their playhouse construction.

3. News & Review

YC provided brief updates on media related to the Commission and Commissioners in the press.

Item 10 – Additional Items

1. 10,000 Mentors

Commission Chair offered the floor to Alex Zucco (AZ) to provide updates on 10,000 mentors. AZ shared findings from the recent meeting with Josh Friday, with discussions ongoing.

2. Archive Project

Commission Chair requested update on archive project. Executive Director Darcy Totten (DT) turned the floor over the Maxwell Macedo (MM) to provide archive project updates. MM thanked DT and briefly discussed updates – sharing that Morgan Beatty (MB) has made achievements in scanning and archiving both at the office and the archive center. MM shared that he and MB are continuing to discuss potential of a Google Arts webpage with the State Library, sharing a possible full to partial rollout by March of 2026 remaining a possibility. MM shared that the Commission has reduced long-term office storage of documents, thoroughly cleaned up the office, and project completion is imminent.

3. First Partners Office

Commission Chair introduced Maggie Arsala (MA), from the First Partners Office, who assumed responsibility for speaking and presenting. MA discussed the intention of several projects and programs at the First Partners Office being turned over to the Commission for longevity prior to the First Partners duties being concluded.

Commissioner Lisa Greer (LG) questioned MA on what the First Partners Office wishes to see from the Commission, to which MA replied they are seeking to better understand if the Commission is interested in the proposal(s) and the ability to proceed. LG and Commission Chair turned the floor over to Executive Director Darcy Totten (DT).

DT shared the desire of the Commission to be involved – noting that with current staffing and resources the Commission is in a position to assume responsibility for these projects and programs. First Partners Office shared the intention being to begin involving the Commission in ongoing meetings.

Commission Chair requested the First Partners Office to also make introductions, share network, in order to establish early success in support of this. Noted that recent First Partners Office events were highly successful and had many key stakeholders that were involved due to the First Partners relationships. Commissioner Chair thanked MA for her time and presentation.

Item 11 – Public Comment

Commission Chair called for public comments, no public comments were made.

Item 12 – Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 2:15 p.m.