About RWCPAF
The Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation, established in 2012, is a 501(c)3 public charity. The Foundation's mission is to advocate, advance, and develop support for parks, recreational programming, community services, cultural activities, and the arts in Redwood City and surrounding unincorporated areas. The board works closely with the City of Redwood City’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services and provides technical, volunteer and financial support for entertainment and community events which enhance our quality of life.
Foundation Goals
Provide support to the Redwood City Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department
Raise community awareness and support for parks, recreation, and the arts
Leverage and expand available financial resources to enhance and increase parks, recreation and the arts
Focus on priority projects and high-impact programs that meet community needs
Partner and collaborate with other organizations to access unique resources to provide more programs for our community
The Board is happy to share the Foundation's IRS 501(c)3 Determination Letter and Form 990's upon request. Email us at info@rwcpaf.org.
In memory of Corinne Centeno
Corinne Centeno was the Director of the Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department from 1999 through 2009 at which time she retired. She began her public service career in 1976 at the Fair Oaks Community Center, and advanced to become Manager of that Center serving with great compassion and respect for the people most in need throughout our community, providing shelter, food, clothing, and other basic human services. She was later appointed as the first Assistant to the City Manager where for nearly four years her renowned skills in facilitation, diplomacy, and civic engagement served the community. Corinne’s devotion to creating great places and programs as a means of ensuring a better quality of life for residents brought her back to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department where she served as Superintendent, and then for an extraordinary ten years as Director. Many charitable organizations also benefited from her work as a volunteer or board member.
Corinne called Redwood City home for 45 years. She established deep roots in the community through her many friendships and her public service career. She combined a depth of caring, with her wonderful sense of humor, and brought joy and laughter to all that she did. She was adventurous and enjoyed frequent travels,
Corinne passed away on June 13, 2012, following a brave battle with cancer. Her devotion to ensuring a better quality of life for the people of Redwood City inspired her to make a generous bequest to help launch the Foundation. We remember her with deep affection and gratitude.
Our Team
PAMELA ESTES
Board Member & President
Pamela moved to Redwood City with her family in 2002, is a founding member of the board, and our fearless leader. She has been instrumental in growing the organization and loves being involved in the community. She says she's basically nosey at heart and we are all grateful for this quality because it means she knows a lot about everything Redwood City. She is inspired and motivated by active, hands-on involvement in projects that contribute to making our community a better place to live, work and play. Her dedication to the Foundation inspires us all.
SHEILA CEPERO
Board Member & Vice President
Sheila grew up on the northwest side of Chicago, in Cubs territory, and moved to California for college when her parents couldn't handle the cold Chicago winters any longer. Sheila says that she grew up in Chicago but became a grown up in Berkeley. Sheila left the corporate world at the end of 2015 and is focused on working for nonprofit organizations whose cause she believes in. Sheila has raised her family in Redwood City and wants to work to make it an even better community with more fun, more art and more parks for all to enjoy. Her dream is to have a community arts center in downtown Redwood City.
PAM BEARD
Board Member & Secretary
Pam is a transplant from New Jersey, arriving in San Francisco in 1977 later setting in Redwood City in 1994, where she raised her two children. She started her career in developing programs serving children, youth, and families in San Mateo County, and currently works as a Global Onboarding Manager. She has been actively involved in our community serving for 8 years on the Arts Commission and later becoming a foundation board member in 2015. She is also an advocate for bringing awareness about Human Trafficking to the Bay Area through her involvement with the Bay Area Anti-Trafficking Coalition. She enjoys photography, cooking, getting together with family and friends, and exploring the great outdoors. She's passionate about bringing our community together and will continue to work to make Redwood City a place where everyone can enjoy and experience the cultural diversity and beauty of our community.
LORI HART
Board Member & Co-Manager of Programming at the Magical Bridge Playground
Lori is a lifelong resident of Redwood City and a retired healthcare administrator from Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. Her strong connection to the community stems from the fond memories shared with her husband, Greg, and their three sons who grew up playing in local parks, participating in sports teams, and creating cherished friendships. Lori is committed to giving back to the community and is grateful to be part of the RWCPAF that values inclusivity, diversity, art, and play. She is particularly passionate and the Magical Bridge Playground and was honored to serve as on of the first Kindness Ambassadors when it opened in 2020. In her free time, Lori enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones, especially her four grandchildren. Additionally, she is a practitioner of yoga, a sports enthusiast, and is always eager to learn new things.
COURTNEY RAPPOPORT
Board Member
Courtney is a long-time resident and huge fan of Redwood City. Her time here harkens back to the good-ole days of Marine World Africa, USA theme park in Redwood Shores circa the 1980's. Ever the curious participant, you will often find her serving your favorite craft brews at Pub in the Park or dancing the evening away as a regular at the Concerts on the Square and Concerts in the Park! Through Redwood City's vibrant Parks and Arts program, she feels honored to support and promote inclusion, diversity, culture and acceptance through the arts. With her husband by her side, and a teenager at Sequoia High School, she strives to give back to the community that has given so much to enrich her family.
MARIA SANCHEZ
Board Member
Maria Sanchez was born in El Salvador, and is an artist, curator and art collector, based in Redwood City. She has been creating art for over 25 years and is an advocate for art as therapy. She loves folk art, vibrant color and is inspired by nature and community.
LISA SCHOFIELD
Board Member, Manager of the Kindness Ambassador Program, & Co-Manager of Programming at the Magical Bridge Playground
Lisa Marzotto Schofield is a retired financial advisor who has lived in Redwood City most of her life. A Woodside High School alumnae, Lisa earned her BS at University of California at Davis, and her MBA at Santa Clara University. She has volunteered with the Junior League of Palo Alto-Mid Peninsula, the board of METAvivor, and various community and church activities. Lisa and her husband Dennis spent 13 year cruising on their Crealock 37 sailboat. They enjoy renovation projects, sailing, and connecting with their community. Lisa is passionate about our parks and is thrilled to serve on the RWCPAF board.
CHRIS BETH
City Liaison
Chris Beth is the Director of the Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department who oversees 70 full-time and 150 casual staff with an operating budget of just over $18M a year. Chris lives in Redwood City, has served in the municipal park and recreation profession for nearly 30 years, and is so thankful to have worked for the City of Redwood City for the past 21. A SJSU and Cal State Hayward alum, Chris holds a Bachelor of Science Recreation and Leisure Studies degree and a Master of Public Administration. Chris served on the state board of the California Park and Recreation Society (CPRS) for 6 years, and was President in 2009-2010. Chris was also inducted as a Fellow for the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA). Finally, Chris serves on the Police Activities League Board of Directors.
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CHERYL MARELICH
Administrative Assistant
Cheryl blends her love of volunteering with supporting a great local non-profit, RWCPAF. She has volunteered for the Foundation for many years in several capacities at various fun events. Born and raised in Redwood City, she has participated in many events over the years involving the Redwood City Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department. Her love of the outdoors while working with great Foundation board members and community members make for a great partnership.
LISA DUNCAN
Chalk Full of Fun Coordinator
Lisa combines her love of art and her project management skills to head up Chalk Full of Fun, our annual chalk festival, held on July 3 and 4 when we host over 100 chalk artists who work in and around Courthouse Square. Lisa and her husband have lived in Redwood City for 35 years and raised their two daughters here. Lisa is also involved in STEM education for youth through the Society of Women Engineers and writes finance books.