Thank You to Our Retiring Board Members

The six outgoing members of HIP Housing’s Board of Directors have contributed so much to our agency over the years, and have done so much to push our work forward. We thank them for sharing their time, talent, knowledge, experience, and expertise with us. They have truly made a difference here in San Mateo County!

Virginia Taylor has spent her thirty-year career as an independent 401k advisor, supporting local companies to establish their retirement plans, monitor their investment line-ups, and educate participants about their plan. Virginia is passionate about helping her clients achieve financial independence, but she is most known for her skills in the kitchen – feeding and entertaining family, friends, and HIP supporters.

“I am humbled to have been part of a team of passionate individuals who work tirelessly to transform San Mateo County into a more diverse and affordable community. By empowering our residents to become stronger and more resilient, HIP Housing provides the foundation that our community members can build upon to create the life they envision.”

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve on the HIP Housing Board for the past 5 years. It has been rewarding to see the impact that HIP Housing has had and bringing hope back to its clients and help the vulnerable find a safe place to live. The staff and the board members collectively have so much depth of knowledge and passion. I am sad to retire but HIP Housing will always have a special place in my heart.”

Before joining the HIP Housing Board, Don retired after 26 years as Director of Finance and Administrative Services at the City of Daly City. Before that he spent seven years with Deloitte in their San Francisco office and is a CPA. Don is looking forward to spending more time traveling with his wife Sandy and their Golden Retriever Karma, and being closer to “fully retired”

“In the last six years, HIP Housing has had many successes and seen a lot of positive change. I’m happy to have been able to be a part of that.”

“It has been an honor being a part of the HIP Housing family for over two decades as a volunteer, an intern, and a Board member. The work that HIP’s staff and Board members do, changes the trajectory of so many lives by tackling the barriers to self-sufficiency and giving residents the boosts they need to lift themselves up and achieve the quality of life that everyone deserves.”

Diana Kayiatos
Outgoing Board Member, 2016-2021

Diana Kayiatos is a knowledgeable and experienced banker with a background in commercial banking, loans, and small business lending. She has been with First Bank for over twenty years, and currently serves as the Vice President/Senior Branch Manager of the First Bank branch in downtown San Mateo.

In the early eighties, I first learned of the Human Investment Project. When I took over the San Mateo office of First Bank, I rediscovered HIP. Since then it has been my privilege and honor to work with HIP on a number of projects, events and as a Board member. Each time I have participated with HIP, I feel that I have received a gift. Meeting the clients and getting to learn their stories and their success in the face of so much adversity has been a truly uplifting experience.

Brian Jaffe
Outgoing Board Member, 2019-2021

Brian Jaffe is an entrepreneur with a deep interest in social equity issues. His current venture is VOCA, a micropolling company focused on connecting everyday citizens with their state and local governments. Previously Brian worked at Apple and served in the United States Navy. Brian is leaving the HIP Housing Board because he recently moved back to his hometown of Portland, Oregon with his wife and two young children.

“Serving on the HIP Housing board was deeply informative and a great honor. HIP has a righteous mission, strong leadership, dedicated staff, and I am certain a very bright future.”