Marcus Plutowski
Marcus Plutowski is a compiler engineer at Apple Inc., focusing on how to best utilize upcoming hardware features. Back in 2017, Marcus founded Vakyrie Robotics, a robotics team and educational nonprofit which serviced hundreds of students, fundraised more than $300,000 and ran until the end of last year.
Meg Gudgeirsson
Meg Eppel Gudgeirsson is a Lecturer of History at Santa Clara University, focusing on race, religion, and childhood in the 19th-century US history. She is interested in the role of “everyday” people - how they experienced and shaped our nation. She is inspired by those who challenge the obstacles they face and seek to better understand them. Her current research looks at the history of the abolitionist community of Berea and ultimately looking to similar patterns of the overlap of education and white supremacy throughout the United States, especially here in the West.
Dr. Gudgeirsson has previously taught at the University of California Berkeley as a visiting lecturer and at Cabrillo College.
Raja GuhaThakurta
Dr. Guhathakurta, Distinguished Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of California Santa Cruz, specializes in studying galaxy formation and evolution. Utilizing telescopes like Keck, Hubble, and James Webb, he explores various aspects such as dark matter assembly, stellar dynamics, merger history, and star formation. With over 800 scientific publications, he's renowned for his research. Additionally, he founded educational initiatives like the Science Internship Program, Shadow the Scientists, and Python and Research under CrEST, Creating Equity in STEAM at UCSC. Recognized globally, he's been honored with numerous awards and appointments, including Astronomy and Distinguished Visiting Professor at Tsinghua University and American Astronomical Society Astrophysics Fellow.
Sheila Mohan
Mayor Sheila Mohan is a longtime Cupertino resident and seasoned finance professional with extensive experience in local government. During her time as the Senior Finance Manager for Santa Clara County and Administrative Services Director for Union City, she established a proven record of developing and managing budgets, implementing complex programs, and creating a positive work environment for a diverse workforce. She was a Fine Arts Commissioner and Library Commissioner for Cupertino. She was also treasurer for the Santa Clara County Library District ballot measure, which passed with a large majority and ensured ongoing funding and expanded library hours.