For her adult life, Francesca has been intrigued with wise governance which serves the common good. How do we as a community invest our resources for maximum benefit? How do we mobilize the creativity, critical thinking, and goodwill of those who live and work in Davis? The Catholic nuns of her childhood instilled a value of the preciousness of each person. Naturally, as she witnessed extreme poverty, racism, war, poor education, hatred, addiction, othering… she knew something was amiss. So, she put on her boots and went out to address one problem at a time. She studied early child education to expand access to quality childcare. She learned earth-based solar construction and helped build affordable housing using local materials. She tromped in the woods with sixth-graders to instill appreciation for natural ecological systems. She brought art and drama activities to teachers and elementary students to explore what helps avert and resolve conflict. Each activity was rich, but begged for a more systemic approach. What are the patterns and policies that enhance well-being? How are the policies conceived and established and then improved? Under the tutelage of senior organizers from communities of faith, she learned the power of clarity of purpose, strategic actions, and organizing for results. As staff to Witness for Peace, she led delegations into war zones of Nicaragua and coached returning delegates on how to tell their stories in local media and to their political representatives. Groups like Witness for Peace defunded a war. In 1998 she moved to Davis. At that time, as the sole provider for herself and her two young children, she was able to buy a modest home in Muir Commons Co-Housing in West Davis. She worked with a consortium of California foundations to support investments in programs that addressed the conditions children need to do well in school. With a reframing from the teaching process to the learning process, suddenly issues of parental support, safety, nutrition, shelter, and health care became the focus. The jurisdictional lines blurred, and collaborative community-based approaches were obvious solutions. Francesca facilitated and trained local school, city and county leaders on a results-based approach for program development and evaluation. Her fascination with how local governing bodies navigate social and service improvements drew her to earn a master’s degree in public administration from University of Southern California at their Sacramento campus. There she was part of a team that facilitated leadership training for those in public service and she was exposed to some of the most dynamic trainers in the field. After her work with the Foundation Consortium, she launched an independent consultancy. Her clients have included: the Agriculture Sustainability Institute at UC Davis; the California Center for Child Abuse Prevention; the California Department of Education; the California Institute for Mental Health; California State University at Chico; Cities Counties Schools Partnership; California Latino Caucus Institute; Community Alliance for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services; First 5 Butte, First 5 Solano; First 5 Yolo; First Five Yuba; Kiely Group; Local Government Commission; Institute for Local Government; Prevent Child Abuse California; San Mateo County Office of Education; Social Entrepreneurs, Inc.; The Children’s Partnership; UC Davis Arab Region Consortium; WestEd; Yolo Crisis Nursery; Yolo County Children’s Alliance. Locally, she is a co-founder and coordinator with Yolo People. As such, has been a leader advocating for the model of a civilian Police Accountability Commission combined with an Independent Police Auditor. Her leadership was instrumental in the passage of the city’s surveillance ordinance and the creation of the new Department of Housing and Social Services. Some of her other volunteer services have included: Chair of the Holmes Junior High Site Council; leading a Girls Scout Troop; Board Member and Chair of Threshold Choir, an international service organization; participant in Women in Leadership Davis; and facilitator to various local groups. In 2021 she received the City of Davis 2021 Thong Hy Huynh Memorial Award in Civil Rights Advocacy. She is married to Lee Bartholomew, a gentle soul and retired real estate appraiser. You can often find them with their dog Habibi walking the arboretum. Her amazing children Ayala and Caleb are out making the world a better place.