San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed today held a ceremonial swearing-in event for recently appointed Commissioners Carey Wintroub and Breanna Zwart Matthews to the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission at the historic McLaren Lodge in Golden Gate Park. Both Wintroub and Zwart were officially appointed by the Mayor in September 2023.
“I am proud to swear-in and welcome two extremely dedicated women who have dedicated themselves to serving this City,” said Mayor London Breed. “San Francisco is a lucky beneficiary of the robust experience Carey Wintroub and Breanna Zwart Matthews will bring and incorporate into our mission of expanding open spaces and supporting recreation across all San Francisco communities. I am especially appreciative that they are taking on this role at a critical moment when we all are working so hard to lift up all that San Francisco has to offer, including our parks system that serves residents and visitors from all over the world.”
The Recreation and Park Department is governed by a seven-member Commission appointed by the Mayor to four-year terms. Establishing the policies by which the Recreation and Park Department operates, the Commission is responsible for the over 220 parks, playgrounds, and open spaces throughout San Francisco and two outside the City limits.
“Despite their short tenure so far, Commissioners Zwart and Wintroub have already contributed so much to the Recreation and Park Commission under the competent and caring leadership of Commission President Kat Anderson and Vice President Joe Hallisy. Both new commissioners are raising children in San Francisco and have a passion for nature, environmental stewardship and outdoor fun,” said Phil Ginsburg, San Francisco Rec and Park General Manager. “Most importantly, they believe deeply that parks are for all. Given the City’s difficult budget climate, we are facing some choppy seas and the Department is grateful to our Commission for its diverse perspectives and steady hand on the tiller.”
Carey Wintroub
Carey Wintroub assumes the seat formerly held by Mark Buell, who was appointed by Mayor Breed to the Airport Commission.
In 2002, she launched Girls on the Run of the Bay Area, an independent 501(c)(3) that has provided more than 30,000 girls in the Bay Area with curriculum-based running programs that build confidence and inspire healthy, active lives. She has also served in leadership roles at several local schools and Jewish organizations.
Carey Wintroub grew up in the Adirondacks Mountains in Upstate New York and made San Francisco her home more than 25 years ago. She received her BA degree from Northwestern University and her MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. After spending six years in financial services, she chose to dedicate her time to building community with a focus on youth development and excellence in education.
“My family and I treasure San Francisco’s wooded trails, playgrounds, and athletic fields, and I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners and Recreation and Park staff to ensure that all San Franciscans continue to have access to high quality parks and open spaces,” Carey Wintroub said.
Breanna Zwart Matthews
Breanna assumes the seat formerly held by Larry Griffin who passed away this past summer.
She currently leads strategy at Microsoft Cloud for Industry, overseeing operations and AI business strategy deployment for a global 1,200-person team. Breanna has over 15 years of global strategy and operations leadership across the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Africa. She holds a Master of Science degree in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University, where she also earned her Bachelor of Humanities and Arts degree in International Relations, Drama, and Hispanic Studies.
Breanna Zwart Matthews is a global business leader with expertise in navigating change, building brands, and cultures with purpose. She was recently a member of the City’s Commission on the Status of Women. During her tenure, the Commission’s portfolio of service areas expanded, and its staff added skilled professionals focused on research and data, financial empowerment, reproductive rights, and mental health.
“I am so proud of our work on the Commission on the Status of Women, where we have prioritized improving the whole lives of women, girls and nonbinary people,” said Breanna Zwart Matthews. “I am honored that Mayor Breed has entrusted me with the new challenge of helping to guide the City’s renowned parks department and I look forward to continuing the tradition of world-class parks for all.”
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