A marginalized community has become a margin of victory.

- Mike Honda, Class I,
U.S. Congressman

From a front-page article in the San Jose Mercury News (7.8.12) on growth of Asian-American voters.

That these two boards are willing to come together -- that says a whole lot to me about this merger.

- Porcia Silverberg, Class XXIII,
Executive Director,Thrive, The Alliance of Nonprofits for San Mateo County

From an article in Palo Alto Online (7.10.12) on the merger of Innvision of Santa Clara County and Shelter Network of San Mateo.

It will take thoughtful actions from many people to move us toward a more
sustainable world.

- Carol Larson, Class XV,
President and CEO of The David and Lucile Packard Foundation

From remarks at the opening of the Packard Foundation's new headquarters at 343 Second Street in Los Altos, a Net Zero Energy building that meets the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System Platinum rating standards.

When it comes to patents granted in U.S. that fuel the innovation economy, the epicenter on earth is Silicon Valley.

- Carl Guardino, Class XII,
President & CEO, Silicon Valley Leadership Group

From an article in the San Jose Mercury News (7.2.12) on the U.S. Commerce Department's announcement that San Jose will be the site of a new U.S. Patent and Trademark office. 

State parks are out of intensive care, but still on life support.

- Joe Simitian, Class X,
California State Senator

From an article in the San Jose Mercury News (6.29.12) on the passage of California's $91 billion state budget that leaves uncertain the outcome of Simitian (D-Palo Alto) & Noreen Evans' (D-Santa Rosa) joint legislation to keep state parks slated for closure open.

These parks are precious public resources and extraordinary economic assets. They are part of our heritage as Californians. They are places that hold great meaning for all of us. While this budget proposal by no means puts an end to our effort to keep parks open, it is an encouraging start with long-term potential.

- Joe Simitian, Class X,
California State Senator

From an article in the San Jose Mercury News (6.28.12) on the passage of California's $91 billion state budget that leaves uncertain the outcome of Simitian (D-Palo Alto) & Noreen Evans' (D-Santa Rosa) joint legislation to keep state parks slated for closure open.

I don’t get involved in the weeds, I get rid of the roadblocks, so they can execute.

- Jessica Denacour, Class XXI,
Vice President & Chief Information Officer, Varian Medical Systems

From a profile, "'Velvet Hammer' transforms IT systems" in the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal (6.15.12).

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Leadership longevity in my mind comes when you put to good use what you have learned, you continue to be bold, and continue to be honest and you continue to reach for opportunities to be a good leader.

- Michael Mulcahy, Class XIII,
Managing Partner, SDS NexGen
Partners, LP

From a profile in Content Magazine 
(Spring 2012).

The merger of EF into Silicon Valley Community Foundation helps take EF’s vision to the next level. EF has always believed that any company, regardless of size or stage of maturity, should have the opportunity and means to positively impact the community. Through this merger companies will have a soup to nuts offering of strategic consulting services, funding mechanisms and leverage of a powerful network to increase their effectiveness as good corporate citizens.

- Diane Solinger, Class XVIII,
Former Executive Director, Entrepreneurs Foundation & new Manager for Employee Social Responsibility, Google

From a joint press release (6.7.12) announcing the integration of the Entrepreneurs Foundation w/Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s business services unit.

The failures in your future will teach you. They'll give you strength. They'll make you more resilient. They'll help you understand what you really value. And they'll help you to empathize with the setbacks of others. And perhaps most important, your failures will be the foundation for all your many successes
to come.

- Joe Simitian, Class X,
California State Senator

Excerpt from baccalaureate address (6.3.12) to Palo Alto High School Class of 2012.