FreedomTech
Advisory Committee Members

Saya Miyoshi Muniz Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights - Department of Rehabilitation

Saya is originally from Tokyo, Japan. Currently she is working as a Statewide Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator at the Department of Rehabilitation. Prior to this, she worked in the Human Resources/EEO field both with private companies and the state for over 10 years.

She loves animals and volunteered at Sacramento SPCA (SSPCA) before becoming disabled. She now makes regular donations regularly to SSPCA, Hope for PAWS, and Best Friends Animal Society. “My service dog Brandy is from SSPCA and I appreciate what these nonprofit organizations do.”

Saya learned how inaccessible and uneducated people are about accessibility in Sacramento when she became disabled herself. She also saw how uneducated and ignorant she was previously. Saya joined the freedomtech advisory committee to share her experience and what she has learned with as many people as possible.

Thomas Foley Deputy Director / Access to Assets Program Director, World Institute on Disability

Trained as a tax lawyer and financial planner, Tom leads WID’s business consulting, financial inclusion, and information technology access practice. After more than 30 years of experience in the disability community, Tom authored EQUITY, the first asset building book for people with disabilities. He also serves on the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Board and has been recognized by numerous organizations, including the Center for Economic Development (CFED), National Disability Institute (NDI), and Center for Financial Independence and Innovation (CFII) for his financial inclusion work.

Tom is a member of the American Red Cross National Diversity Advisory Council and works closely with national and local disaster and first responders to ensure disability inclusion in America’s emergency preparation, response, and recovery efforts.

Tom is a competitive tri-athlete and ever-hopeful Chicago Cubs fan. His love of travel and golden retrievers (and his necessary pursuit of the ultimate vacuum) compete for his spare time.

Aaron Malardino Vice President, City National Bank’s Private Banking

Aaron Malardino is a Vice President and Private Banker with City National Bank’s Private Banking team based in the San Diego Regional Center. He advises high-net-worth clients on such diverse matters as investment management, business succession, estate and charitable planning as well as custom lending.

Mr. Malardino has more than 10 years of experience in investment consulting, financial planning and enhanced lending practices. Prior to joining City National, he was a Vice President Private Banker for Union Bank and an Assistant Vice President Regional Private Banker for Wells Fargo Bank. Prior to going into banking he was a Real Estate agent for Coldwell Banker.

Mr. Malardino attended San Diego State University where he studied Economics. He also holds several securities licenses, including series 6, 7, 63, 65 and Life Insurance Licenses. Mr. Malardino is also very active in the community serving as a volunteer for a number of nonprofit organizations, including the Marin Center for Independent Living, the Boys and Girls Club and Junior Achievement.

Yomi Wrong Manager Disability Access Compliance, Sutter Health Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Yomi S. Wrong manages the ADA compliance program for Sutter Health’s Peninsula Coastal Region, a wide territory in the Bay Area that encompasses three hospitals and a large medical foundation. She oversees the removal of physical barriers at all care sites, and also trains clinicians and support staff on Sutter’s ADA policies to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to high quality health care and services. Prior to joining Sutter Health, Yomi served as Executive Director of the Center for Independent Living Inc., headquartered in Berkeley. During her time at CIL, Yomi focused on developing a 21st Century framework for direct services, organizing CIL’s staffing, programs and advocacy work to reflect the needs and passions of today’s consumers.

She serves on the Board of Directors for Homebridge, a provider of in-home support to residents in San Francisco, the ACLU of Northern California, and W.O.R.L.D., an Oakland-based provider of service, support and advocacy to women living with HIV.

Elsa Quezada Executive Director, Central Coast Center for Independent Living

Since 1993, Elsa Quezada has served as Executive Director of the Central Coast Center for Independent Living (CCCIL) located in Salinas, California on the beautiful Central Coast. Before becoming CCCIL’s Executive Director, she was the Executive Director of the Independent Living Center (ILC) in East Los Angeles. She has over 30 years of experience in the independent living movement. As a dedicated community servant, Elsa has brought her vast experience to numerous local, state, and national advisory committees with a special interest in developing independent living services for Latinos with disabilities.

Because of her expertise in multi-cultural outreach, she is a sought-after advocate on both stateside and national levels. She has also served on a number of state committees: the State Independent Living Council (SILC), the California Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, and the Olmstead Committee. She is past Chair of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, a statewide membership organization of independent living centers. Currently, Elsa is serving a third term on the Santa Cruz/Monterey County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission.

Throughout her years of community service, Elsa has worked on numerous disability rights issues. These include housing and community integration for people with disabilities, with emphasis on the needs of the most unserved/underserved members of our communities including people with brain injuries and veterans with disabilities.