Honey Mahogany: Equity, Culture & Pride

Honey Mahogany: Equity, Culture & Pride

In this episode of I Left My Podcast in San Francisco, we sit down with Honey Mahogany, Director of the San Francisco Office of Transgender Initiatives (OTI)—an activist, artist, entrepreneur, and public servant.  From growing up in the Outer Sunset and performing in musical theater and drag to practicing social work and shaping city policy, Honey shares a powerful journey rooted in service, community, and equity. We talk about her San Francisco roots, her early social work at the Rainbow Community Center, co‑owning The Stud to preserve queer culture, and co‑founding the Transgender Cultural District.  She reflects on the surge in anti‑trans legislation nationwide and the resulting migration to refuge cities, updates to SF’s Fair Chance Ordinance to protect people criminalized for gender‑affirming or reproductive care and for performing drag, and the importance of representation inside City Hall.  https://sf.gov/transcitysf

Dennis Herrera: Public Service, Infrastructure, and San Francisco

In this episode of I Left My Podcast in San Francisco, we sit down with Dennis Herrera, General Manager of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). From his early days serving on city commissions to nearly two decades as San Francisco City Attorney and his leadership at the SFPUC, Dennis shares stories from a career dedicated to public service. He reflects on landmark legal battles that helped shape California and the nation, including the fight for marriage equality, protecting immigrant communities, defending access to health care, and holding corporations accountable. We talk about his transition to leading the SFPUC during a pivotal moment for the agency, the progress made on public power, environmental stewardship, and major infrastructure investments that will serve generations to come. Dennis also reflects on leadership, public service, and the values that have guided his work on behalf of San Franciscans. https://www.sfpuc.gov

Sherrice Dorsey-Smith: The Heart of SF’s Youth Programs

In this episode of I Left My Podcast in San Francisco, we sit down with Sherrice Dorsey‑Smith, Executive Director of the Department of Children, Youth & Their Families (DCYF). From her early days in AmeriCorps to leading one of SF’s most impactful departments, Sherrice shares an inspiring journey rooted in service, equity, and commitment to young people. We talk about her first experiences in San Francisco, the mission of DCYF and the 249 programs they fund, and the massive pivots her team made during the pandemic, including building Community Hubs that served more than 6,000 children. Sherrice also reflects on the importance of mental health and supporting the “whole child,” the department’s work in youth violence prevention, community needs, and family summits, as well as her Women’s History Month recognition and her vision for the future of San Francisco.https://dcyf.org

Carol Isen: Merit, Equity, and the Modern City Workforce

In this episode of I Left My Podcast in San Francisco, we sit down with Carol Isen, Director of Human Resources for the City and County of San Francisco. Carol traces her journey from Detroit activist roots to becoming one of SF’s leading voices on workforce development, labor relations, equity, and public service.She shares stories from her early days as a union organizer, what it was like being on the Bay Bridge during the 1989 earthquake, how her department navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, and the massive modernization efforts underway to improve hiring and support city workers. We also dive into her love of music, LGBTQ history in SF, and the essential people who keep this city running. sf.gov/DHR

Jorge Rivas: How SF Supports Immigrant Families

In this episode of I Left My Podcast in San Francisco, we sit down with Jorge Rivas, Executive Director of the Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA). Jorge shares his powerful story as the son of immigrants, his mission to remove barriers for newcomers, and how San Francisco became the first city in the nation to earn a 5‑star Welcoming America certification. From Pride Month to his favorite Sunset breakfast spot, this episode dives into culture, community, and what it takes to make San Francisco the most welcoming city in the world. Learn more about OCEIA’s programs, community ambassadors, language access, citizenship pathways, and the June 8th City Hall celebration. https://sf.gov/oceia