People make San Francisco beautiful and unique, and our Board Members are no exception. We want you to meet our newest Member of the Board, Sophia Gellen. We asked Sophia to share her thoughts about our City and joining San Francisco Beautiful; here is what she had to say.

Sophia Gellen

What makes San Francisco beautiful?
San Francisco Bay Area has a mixture of natural beauty which is breathtaking in and of itself. On top of that it has a diverse mix of architecture and civil engineering, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, the TransAmerica building, and the Victorian houses. It’s the blend of the two, of old and new, of rugged and cultured along with its topography that makes this city so breathtaking and elegant at the same time.

What drew you to San Francisco?
I came to San Francisco because I followed my heart. It said that this was where I belonged and yet I knew no one. So I manifested a job and I was able to move here. It has led to tremendous personal growth and transformation for me.

What does San Francisco mean to you?
San Francisco means freedom and courage to me. From its role in the days of the Gold Rush to the movements in the 70’s and now to a city so accommodating of diversity, both racial, gender and entrepreneurial. To me, it’s a city of the future. Where we witness great paradigms being crystallized every day from small enterprises such as innovative restaurants to technology to gender equality. It’s a city so tolerant of originality, of creativity, and inspiration for the future.

What made you want to be a part of San Francisco Beautiful?
The moment I heard the story of San Francisco Beautiful, I believed in its cause. San Francisco is a city you love and believe in because it stands for so much. It’s charm and constant evolution draw you in so that you want more out of it, you want its longevity, you want its prosperity, not because of you, but because of it – it’s that inspiring. And the work of San Francisco Beautiful enables neighborhoods and communities to move forward – just that bit of guidance and enhancement while leaving the integrity of the neighborhood intact. That’s organic growth and that’s beautiful.