From Intern to Civic Leader: A Reflection on Growth and Opportunity
A speech by Rafael Mandelman delivered to a crowd of 208 people at Enterprise for Youth’s annual dinner celebration, Heroes at Work, on April 16th, 2026.
Rafael Mandelman, a president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, representing District 8, and an Enterprise for Youth Alumni at Heroes at Work- April 16, 2026
“The future of work is unclear, but we do know that our young people need to be prepared for the jobs of the future. They need to be prepared for the workforce, and so the work of Enterprise is so very important”
I'm Rafael Mandelman. I'm the Supervisor for District 8. If you live in Castro Valley, Glen Park, or Diamond Heights, I represent you. I feel like you're overrepresented in this audience, and that makes me proud.
I'm also President of the Board of Supervisors, and I never miss an opportunity to come celebrate Enterprise. Carlo told you all that I was an Enterprise kid myself. Sometimes I reflect on that with Sam McAnus, who was also an Enterprise kid.
I remember when it was actually in a house building, and we'd go and look through the little card catalogs that listed the jobs that might be available. Those were some of my very first jobs when I was in high school over the summers.
Rafael Mandelman speaking on stage at Heroes at Work 2026 at Terra Gallery in San Francisco, CA
“Of course, you learn so much. You learn how to do a job. You learn how to show up. You learn how to be a responsible adult at some point.”
Of course, you learn so much. You learn how to do a job. You learn how to show up. You learn how to be a responsible adult at some point. And that was a different Enterprise in some ways. You all are so much more professional now, and you're doing so much more youth development. I think there's a much more strategic approach to preparing young people for the workforce, which in these times is incredibly important.
The future of work is unclear, but we do know that our young people need to be prepared for the jobs of the future. They need to be prepared for the workforce, and so the work of Enterprise is so very important.
I always enjoy the opportunity and this is my last year on the Board of Supervisors to come by and thank Enterprise, the amazing staff, the board leadership, all the volunteers, and all of you who have supported, are supporting, or will support.
If you have already given a little bit, give a little bit more or a lot more. They need your help, they need your support. These kids need your love and support as well.
