San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed today announced that she has appointed the longstanding President of the Recreation and Park Commission, Mark Buell, to the Airport Commission. She also announced the appointments of Carey Wintroub and Breanna Zwart to the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission.
Mark Buell to Airport Commission
Mark Buell was most recently a member of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission, where he has served as President since 2010. Since that time, the San Francisco parks system has become one of the highest-ranking park systems in the nation. Under his leadership, the Recreation and Park department has raised more than $200 million in philanthropic donations, expanded the City’s network of ballfields, recreation centers and pools, and instituted a nationally recognized gardener apprentice program, among many other accomplishments.
Mark is a native San Franciscan, a graduate of the University of San Francisco and a decorated Vietnam veteran. He spent 35 years in both public and private real estate development. Mark has also served on the Boards of various non-profit organizations.
Mark is assuming the seat formerly held by Eleanor Johns who passed away this past spring.
“Mark Buell has been an incredible champion for our parks and is leaving an unparalleled legacy of expanding and supporting open space all across San Francisco,” said Mayor London Breed. “Our park system is stronger, more equitable, and more vibrant thanks to the decades of leadership Mark delivered on this Commission. I’m so proud that he will continue to serve San Francisco in his new role on the Airport Commission.”
“It has been an enormous honor to serve on the Recreation and Park Commission, and I am proud of what we have done to expand San Franciscans’ access to outdoor spaces,” said Mark Buell. “I look forward to undertaking my new responsibilities as a commissioner for San Francisco’s award-winning airport.”
The Airport Commission consists of five members appointed by the Mayor to four-year terms. Originally part of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the Airport Commission was established by City Charter in 1970 and is primarily a policy-making body, establishing the policies by which the San Francisco airport operates.
Carey Wintroub and Breanna Zwart to the Recreation and Park Commission
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 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. In 2002 Carey 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 is assuming the seat formerly held by Mark Buell, who has been appointed by Mayor Breed to the Airport Commission.
Breanna Zwart 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.
Breanna 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 is assuming the seat formerly held by Larry Griffin who passed away this past summer.
“Both Carey and Breanna have dedicated themselves to serving this City and San Francisco is lucky they are bringing their experience to serve the critical mission of expanding open space and supporting recreation in our communities,” said Mayor London Breed. “I’m especially appreciative that they are taking on this role at this critical time when we all are working so hard to lift up all that our city has to offer, including our park system that serves residents and visitors from all over the world.”
“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.
“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. “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.”
The Recreation and Park 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.
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