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The Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits' (SVCN) candidate fora provide an opportunity for the nonprofit community to learn about the ideas, visions, and priorities of local candidates. We will center our discussion on policies and programs that directly impact nonprofits as partners, government contractors, community-based service providers, and advocates.
In this space, we also focus on key policy areas such as health equity, affordable housing, children and youth services, civic engagement, and violence prevention and intervention.
The public is welcome to attend our nonprofit candidate forum. However, please be advised that we will be prioritizing questions from nonprofit members and leaders. Please be aware that campaigning and distributing campaign materials will not be allowed at the forum.
This forum is organized in partnership with the African American Community Service Agency (AACSA) and Choose Children, an initiative of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Free childcare will be available on-site for children ages 0-8!
See below for information on the candidates.
Gabriela “Gabby” Chavez-Lopez (she/her/ella) is a trusted civic and nonprofit leader with over 20 years of experience advancing racial equity, economic justice, and systems change in San José’s District 3—where she lives, works, and raises her family. Deeply rooted in the cultural heart of the city, Gabby has spent her career championing inclusive policies and programs that center the leadership and lived experiences of communities of color, especially Latinas. As the inaugural Executive Director of the Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley, Gabby has transformed the organization into a regional force for equity. Under her leadership, LCSV has grown tenfold, driving civic leadership, economic mobility, and policy advocacy that challenge systemic disparities and build pathways for collective advancement. Gabby is known for building bridges across sectors and working with urgency, authenticity, and deep care. She has secured critical investments for affordable housing, small business growth, and community-centered development, always rooted in what matters most to San Jose residents: safe streets, clean neighborhoods, and access to opportunity. Her leadership has been recognized by the Silicon Valley Business Journal, which named her one of the “10 Latinx Business Leaders Making a Lasting Impact,” and honored as an Influential Woman of Silicon Valley. Gabby serves on advisory boards for San Jose Downtown Association, United Way Bay Area, and local colleges, advancing equity across systems. She holds a B.S. in Political Science from Santa Clara University and has completed executive education at Harvard, Stanford, and USC.
Anthony Tordillos is running for City Council to be a councilmember District 3 residents can count on to work toward solutions on housing, homelessness, and crime. Anthony grew up in a working-class, low-income family with a disabled dad; his family relied on Disability Insurance to get by. Thanks to the power of public schools and good government, he made it to Yale and became an engineering manager, helping build YouTube. Anthony brought the problem-solving approach he learned at YouTube to the San José Planning Commission, where he’s worked to make it faster and cheaper to build affordable housing. His accomplishments include streamlining emergency shelter beds for the homeless and supporting the construction of over 500 new, affordable homes. After just a single year on the commission, Anthony was nominated and elected by his fellow commissioners to serve as Chair for the 2024-2025 term. In addition to his Planning Commission service, Anthony serves as president of the South University Neighborhood Association (SUN). As SUN president, he’s brought people together to clean up our streets, fund public art, and foster community. Anthony holds a BS in Computer Science from Yale and lives in the SUN neighborhood with his husband, Gio.
SVCN is committed to ensuring our in-person event is as safe as possible for our participants. If you are sick, please stay home.
SVCN strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request accommodation, interpretation, and translation services, and/or for inquiries about accessibility, please email Marvah Gorlorwulu at [email protected]. Requests for interpretation and/or translation services need to be submitted no later than Monday, May 12.
Use the form below to register for this candidate forum.
You will receive a confirmation email with the in-person logistics.
By registering, you consent to SVCN’s use of photos or videos taken during the event, which may include your image, in both print and digital materials.
Select this option only if you or your organization is a current SVCN member for FY25
Select this option if you or your organization is not a current SVCN member for FY25
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Requests for interpretation and/or translation services need to be submitted no later than Monday, May 12.
Nonprofit Candidate Forum – City Council District 3 Special Election is free to register. Your voluntary donation supports SVCN and its work supporting our community of nonprofits!Do not click on the buttons if you do not wish to donate.
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