Keesa Ocampo Joins San Mateo County Commission on the Status of Women

Keesa Ocampo, was sworn in May 18 as a member of the San Mateo County Commission on the Status of Women, which addresses issues on women and girls across 21 Bay Area cities.

The Commission on the Status of Women of San Mateo County is a nonpartisan appointed body that advises the County Board of Supervisors. It was established in 1982 to provide leadership in developing policies, programs, and legislation to address the needs of women and girls.

Ocampo is a San Mateo City resident whose organizing skills, broad network and philanthropic work has benefited the larger Bay Area community and countries across the globe. She is the government and community relations officer for Philippine international media conglomerate, ABS-CBN International.

“Sometimes, I look back at the many experiences my life has afforded me and challenged me with and I realize that I have never been more prepared to take on a responsibility. It is a great honor to be able to serve my own neighborhood and community,” said Ocampo.

Ocampo joins Christine Padilla, legislative aide to Rep. Anna Eshoo, as the two new FilAms on the board. Dr. Jei Africa, a manager with the San Mateo behavīoral Health and Recovery Services, is a current trustee. Community leader Alice Bulos retired in December and neighborhood activist Lina Susbilla was the first Filipina appointed to the commission.

Ocampo comes from a long line of public servants. Her great grandfather, Pablo de Leon Ocampo was elected as Resident Commissioner to the United States government in 1907 and immediately set sail for Washington where he served in Congress until 1909. Her family has served in the Philippine Congress, representing Manila since 1965.

Ocampo’s involvement in the community and philanthropy is rooted in the Asian American Pacific Islander community where she began as a stakeholder in organizations like the National Association for Asian-American Professionals, Asian Heritage Month Committee for the City of San Francisco, Asian Pacific Fund and San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee.

Her wide span of networks and persistent work to build bridges resulted in co-founding the progressive organization Citizen Hope, formed with a commitment to engage in community and civic service projects. In 2009, fundraising for disaster relief in the Philippines, Samoa and Haiti – efforts that were recognized for vast coverage, speed and success – prompted her to found Bay Area Benefit, champions of “guerilla philanthropy.” Since then, she has led the formation of the API Circle, an alliance of San Francisco Bay Area Asian and Pacific Islander American leaders and organizations with the mission to create meaningful relationships and collaborative efforts that are cross-generational, ideologically neutral and diversely representative.

Ocampo is the recipient of a presidential citation for her humanitarian work from former Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“I recognize the important role that so many strong men and women have played in my life. I was taught hard work, humility, simplicity, faith and integrity – the same guiding principles I go by, daily,” shares Ocampo. “And as long as there is more work to be done, more communities that need basic services and protection, and underrepresented women and girls who hope for a future where they can enjoy life, liberty and a pursuit of happiness, my commitment will remain steadfast.”

Source:   ABS-CBNI