Events

Matt is the co-founder and CEO of Westhill Financial Advisors, an independent advisory firm in Marin providing financial planning and investment management.

Matt is an enthusiastic student of Behavioral Finance in general, and specifically on the topic of what non-financial factors make for a happy, fulfilling, and meaningful retirement. He teaches Behavioral Finance as an instructor through UC Berkeley’s extension program.

What factors are found to drive a happy, fulfilling, and meaningful retirement?

The talk includes brief real-life case studies and explores scientific research on what factors predict happiness in retirement: The Three Pillars.

We’ll explore key life cornerstones (Identity, Structure, Social Interaction, Mastery, and Purpose) that are often lost when we leave work and discuss practical ways to replace them.

What's going on these days in San Rafael? Councilmember Maika will give us an overview

When a sudden series of manic episodes lands her in a psychiatric ward, what is an established, respected psychotherapist to do? With an otherwise firm sense of self and an openness to new insights, Berger confronts the stumbling blocks of shame and stigma. A series of close friends and mentors stand by her through challenges with abusive colleagues, conflicted relationships with men, estrangement from her mother, and confusion about what truly matters.

Marcia Naomi Berger is a psychotherapist who helps couples and individuals create fulfilling relationships. She wrote The Bipolar Therapist after decades of keeping her struggle with bipolar disorder a secret. She wants people with mental illness to know they are not alone and to make her story readily available to their family members, therapists, friends, and others.

Jane Flower is the Youth Outreach Programs Supervisor at Guide Dogs for the Blind. In her presentation, she shares her personal journey with vision loss, from her childhood diagnosis of Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis to the empowering role her three guide dogs have played in helping her live with independence, confidence, and connection. Through honest storytelling and real-life examples, Jane busts common myths about blindness, highlights the wide spectrum of vision loss, and offers practical ways we can create more inclusive communities for people with disabilities. Her message is rooted in lived experience and aims to expand understanding, shift perspectives, and celebrate the partnerships that make greater independence possible.

Before joining Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) in 2013, she spent over a decade supporting older adults with low vision in Southern California. Jane travels across the U.S. and Canada with her third guide dog, Pilaf, sharing the impact of guide dogs and advocating for inclusion and greater understanding of the spectrum of vision loss.

The key to lasting success lies in understanding the psychological drivers behind decisions. Instead of relying on outdated tactics, leaders need to harness the power of cognitive biases and emotional triggers to build trust, gain influence, and drive outcomes. Most importantly, Shira will share exactly how to implement the Perception Formula™ to create lasting relationships and achieve unprecedented business growth.

Shira Abel is a go-to-market expert who is trusted by category-leading enterprises from Siemens, Samsung, AXA, Allianz, and many more to help understand their customers. As the founder of Hunter & Bard and creator of The Perception Formula, Shira brings a unique blend of insights to her work. A Lecturer at University of California Berkeley and in-demand speaker, Shira's talks inspire and equip organizations with the tools to navigate the complexities of modern business, offering a refreshing perspective on how biases and expectations shape our success.

Cheri Sacks is a registered nurse, a certified diabetes educator, and an experienced health coach. As the founder of Chronic Health Wisdom, she is dedicated to helping busy people take control of their health so they can focus on what truly matters. Cheri's focus is on helping her clients regain their health and energy by providing support where traditional medical care may fall short. Think of her as "Your Neighbor, The Nurse."

This November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to shine the spotlight on the pancreas and its functions. Cheri will share valuable information on how we can take proactive steps to reduce the risk of pancreatic dysfunction and the importance of early detection of signs related to cancer and diabetes. As a volunteer and advocate for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), she aims to raise awareness about this often-overlooked organ and highlight this great organization.

Abby Yim is the CEO of Integrated Community Services, a cross-disability services and advocacy nonprofit based in Marin. She has a passion for connecting the sectors in her advocacy and disability services work, drawing from her experience working in investment banking and anti-poverty advocacy. 

Abby is currently working on leadership development projects that nurture the talent of under-represented emerging leaders through designing accessible, hospitable spaces that welcome and encourage creative, future focused collaboration. Abby is a Marin native, received her degree in Disability Studies and English from UC Berkeley and currently lives in Oakland within walking distance to her favorite cafes and bookstores.