Leaders from government and civic organizations participate in the Government Ethics Advisory Council to share ideas and brainstorm solutions to some of the most pressing ethical dilemmas in the area of government, elections, voting, and civic responsibility, led by Davina Hurt, director of government ethics.
Current Members
Shannon Bushey, Retired Registrar of Voters, Santa Clara County
Vanessa Carr is a Principal at Hilltop Public Solutions, who specializes in managing high-level candidates and campaigns like Kamala Harris for President, Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Katie Porter for Senate, Yes on Prop 1 (March 2024), No on 33 (Nov 2024), and Yes on 34 (Nov 2024). Her deep understanding of the political landscape and building out coalitions makes her an invaluable asset to any team. Vanessa is a graduate of Santa Clara University and lives in Los Angeles.
David Casas is a trusted adviser to C-level leadership, senior management teams, and client groups. David has significant experience in strategy, finance, sales, leadership, and project management. Formally involved in local and regional governmental bodies.
Jay Chittooran works on public affairs and corporate strategy at Samsung Electronics, where he focuses on a range of semiconductor policy issues, including trade, export controls, and investment.
Cathy Cobb, a graduate of Santa Clara University, worked for a technology subsidiary of Citibank, managing the development and deployment of ATM systems and home banking programs for Citibank in Europe and Latin America as well as the U.S. After leaving Citibank in 1997 she worked as a volunteer CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) in the Los Angeles Juvenile Court System. CASA's are trained volunteers who advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect, to ensure that they have the services and support they need, particularly in the areas of stable homes, education and healthcare. Cathy also serves as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles and on the Louisville High School Board of Directors.
Neil Datar, Attorney - Kirkland and Ellis
Rod Diridon, received his BS, and MSBA, (recently an honorary Doctorate from the CSU via SJSU and a honorary JD from Lincoln Law School of San Jose) before serving two combat tours in Vietnam as a Naval Office. He returned to found the Decision Research Institute, served four years as on the Saratoga City Council as Vice Mayor, and 20 years on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, six times as chair, and chaired over 100 regional, national and international transportation and environmental organizations. The regional San Jose Diridon Station was rededicated in his name when he retired because of term limits in 1995. He wrote the legislation and founded the Mineta Transportation Institute, retiring as Emertus Executive Director in 2016 to become a full time crusader against climate change. He now chairs the US High Speed Rail Coalition in Washington DC among other environmental leadership activities.
Will DuVal ('15) is a Military Intelligence Officer serving with U.S. Special Operations with over 10 years of experience in the public and private sector. Will has held various leadership and operational roles in the military focusing on counterterrorism in Africa and the Middle East, as well as strengthening partnerships in Europe and Asia. Will also led a team of experts at a leading AI/ML company harnessing critical open-source data for national security.
Eric Flores, Legislative Affairs - California Cradle-to-Career Data Systems
Melvin E. Gaines is a dynamic public sector leader dedicated to building strong, thriving communities. As City Manager of East Palo Alto and General Manager of the East Palo Alto Sanitary District, he oversees critical operations, strategic planning, and fiscal management. With leadership experience in Portola Valley and Mountain View, Melvin has spearheaded initiatives in public safety, community development, and employee engagement. He holds master’s degrees in Public Policy and Urban Planning from the University of Michigan, along with bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Environmental Studies from Santa Clara University. Passionate about ethical leadership and effective governance, Melvin is committed to driving positive change in local government.
Joe Goethals is the father of three daughters. He and his wife, Sharon, have four degrees from Santa Clara University, among many others in his extended family. Joe was President of the Santa Clara University Alumni Association before serving as a Deputy District Attorney in Alameda County for 10 years and San Mateo County for 5 years. Joe's experience as a trial lawyer includes over 50 jury trials to verdict, including civil and criminal trials. Joe coaches his daughter's softball and basketball teams. He was on the San Mateo City Council for 9 years, including serving as the mayor of San Mateo in 2016 and 2020. As mayor, his proudest accomplishments were a billion dollar investment in infrastructure including the San Mateo Clean Water Program and founding Peninsula Clean Energy, the peninsula's community choice aggregator providing cheaper, cleaner, and renewable electricity for San Mateo County. Joe founded Goethals & Stone, PC, a law firm dedicated to civil rights and justice for victims. Joe and his partner Charles utilize their decades of trial experience to achieve the best results for their civil rights and personal injury clients.
Garrett Jensen, BSc '14 Accounting, is the Managing Director of Friends of the University of California and was formerly Legislative Director for an Assemblymember and Consultant for a Bay Area State Senator. Originally from Portland, OR, he now lives in Sacramento with his partner and German Shepherd.
Joe Montes graduated from Santa Clara in 1990 with a major in Communications, and is married to Sarah (Robinson) Montes, also class of 1990. He is the City Attorney for the cities of Alhambra, San Marino and Santa Clarita and a partner with the law firm of Burke, Williams & Sorensen LLP.
Maryam Mujica, Head of Public Policy, Americas - BookingHoldings
Ann Ravel was County Counsel in Santa Clara County providing legal advice to the Board of Supervisors and about ethics in government. She was subsequently appointed as the Chair of the California Fair Political Practices Commission to asure public officials complied with ethics laws. She then served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General at the US Department of Justice in the Obama Administration, also advising on ethics in government. President Obama then appointed Ann as Chair of the Federal Election Commission who had oversight over ethics of campaign contributions to public officials.
Kimberly Rodriguez, Policy Director, California State Senate President pro Tempore
Sherri Sager, Retired, Chief Government Relations - Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
Claudia Silva, County Counsel, County of San Diego
Joe Simitian, Former County Supervisor, County of Santa Clara
Phillip Warren is Senior Counsel at the Covington & Burling law firm, specializing in global antitrust and competition law practice. Before joining Covington, Phillip served in the U.S. Justice Department’s Antitrust Division for more than 30 years. He was Chief of the San Francisco Office from 2002 to 2013.