Hello! My name is Jane Natoli, this site has a bit more about my civic and volunteer engagement here in San Francisco and beyond (and maybe a link or two to a good cocktail recipe)

About Jane

San Francisco is always a place I wanted to live. As a transgender woman, it resonated with me due to its reputation as a bastion for LGBTQ+ people. When I moved here a decade ago and settled in Inner Richmond, I found the reality of living here and being trans to be somewhat more complicated than that reputation. Those complications were my original catalyst for getting involved in my community. I've been fortunate, other LGBTQ folks should have the same kinds of opportunities I've had. I started volunteering at the SF LGBT Center, where I later joined the board in 2017, serving until 2022.

In addition to serving at the Center, I’m also passionate about safe streets and the need for more housing of all types for all Californians. That’s why I joined the board of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and YIMBY Action in 2018. I rolled off of the Bike Coalition board in 2020 and left the YIMBY Action board in 2023, joining the organization in a new role as the San Francisco Organizing Director.

Change is possible when people organize and show up for what they believe in. Whether it’s speaking on behalf of adding more homes in the city or adding a protected bike lane so that more folks feel comfortable riding here or truly making San Francisco the most welcoming LGBTQ+ city in the world, I’ve come to realize the value in showing up and speaking up, especially for those who cannot easily engage in our political process.

I continue to serve additional boards since then, becoming more involved in politics locally and throughout the state, including the Alice B Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, and Equality California.

As a result of my community engagement, I previously served as a Mayoral appointee on the Citizens' General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee from 2019 to 2021. I was also nominated for San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors, and while that nomination did not work out, I’m proud to serve on the Airport Commission.

Professionally, I previously worked at Lithic as a Compliance Governance Lead before switching careers and joining YIMBY Action. Prior to that, I worked at Stripe for 4.5 years as a Financial Crimes Analyst specializing in anti-money laundering and complex fraud work, and Wells Fargo in a similar capacity, which is what originally brought me to the Bay Area. I was born and raised in Virginia, went to college at Iowa State, and spent a decade in Minnesota prior to moving to California.
 

For some lighthearted fun and write ups of the drinks I make, join me over at Trader Jane’s, a Substack about drinks and whatever else is on my mind! Or find me on social (links below)