Leadership Circle Spring Reception Brings City and Schools Together

BCE’s spring reception offers a rare opportunity for donors to engage directly with city and school leaders shaping our community.

On the evening of April 29, members of the Burlingame Community for Education Foundation (BCE) Leadership Circle gathered at the Burlingame Woman’s Club for a special spring reception that brought together donors, city leaders, and school district leadership for an evening of meaningful conversation and connection. In an intimate setting designed to encourage dialogue, guests enjoyed light bites, drinks, and the opportunity to engage directly with those shaping the future of Burlingame.

The reception is one of two annual gatherings hosted exclusively for BCE’s Leadership Circle, a group of donors who contribute $10,000 or more each year to support Burlingame public schools. These events are designed to foster deeper understanding, strengthen relationships, and offer a unique window into the broader context in which our schools operate. By bringing together community members and local leaders, BCE helps create space for thoughtful discussion about the issues that impact students, families, and the community as a whole.

The evening’s panel discussion highlighted the deep connection between Burlingame’s schools, city leadership, and long-term community vitality. Mayor Michael Brownrigg, City Councilmember Donna Colson, BSD Board President Doug Brown, and moderator Meredith Dunn discussed how thoughtful city planning, housing, economic development, and investment in public spaces all contribute to maintaining strong public schools and a thriving community. Panelists emphasized that Burlingame’s willingness to “lean in” to housing and community growth has helped stabilize school enrollment at a time when many districts across California are facing declining student populations and school closures.

Throughout the conversation, speakers returned to the idea that Burlingame’s strength comes from collaboration and shared investment in the community. Brownrigg reflected on the importance of organizations like BCE in bringing people together, sharing, “The strongest communities are ones that are weavers, which weave us all together no matter what our backgrounds are.” The panel also explored how projects like Town Square, Bayfront development, and investments in parks and public infrastructure are designed not only to support economic vitality, but also to create a city where families want to live, gather, and stay connected. 

Doug Brown also spoke about the importance of stable enrollment and community support for maintaining the high-quality educational experience Burlingame families value, noting the critical role BCE funding plays in supporting teachers, smaller class sizes, music, and enrichment programs.“It’s the BCE gifts that allow us to do the things that make this a great school system,” he explained. “More students help us, but it’s your support that allows us to provide the programs that make Burlingame schools special.”

Guests were invited to ask questions and participate in an open dialogue, creating a dynamic and engaging exchange of ideas. The format allowed for candid insights and a deeper understanding of the partnership between the city and the school district. “We aspire to a community that is vital and vibrant. That’s really been the North Star behind almost all of our policies over the last decade,” shared Brownrigg. He later added, “If you believe in the American Dream, the only way that happens is if kids have a good education, especially a good public education.”

Attendees appreciated the opportunity to hear directly from local leaders in a setting that encouraged conversation rather than presentation. “The panel discussion provided a great opportunity for me to learn about many important issues the city leaders were working on, like the road work on El Camino, our commitment to affordable housing through new residential developments, and how BCE and our school district collaborate to ensure funding and support for schools, with ever changing needs, demographics and regulations,” said Lincoln Parent Amit Bandlish. “The discussion was informative and interactive, with questions and follow ups from an engaged audience. I look forward to the next one!” 

The reception was a nice opportunity to connect with other BCE parents outside of the McKinley community, and I especially appreciated hearing directly from both community and district leaders. It’s always interesting to get a broader perspective on what’s happening in the city and how they’re working together to support what’s best for the kids. - McKinley Parent Odessa Villanueva

Adding to the evening’s atmosphere was a special musical performance by Burlingame resident Yuri Liberzon, an internationally acclaimed classical guitarist and Lincoln parent. His performance provided a memorable and meaningful reminder of the role that arts and community play in bringing people together.

Events like the Leadership Circle Reception reflect BCE’s commitment not only to fundraising, but also to building a strong, informed, and connected community of supporters. By creating opportunities for donors to engage directly with leaders and one another, BCE helps deepen the shared sense of purpose that drives its work. “What I love most about these events is bringing together supporters who are so invested in our public schools. The room was filled with long-time BCE supporters, endowment donors, business sponsors and new BCE families all of whom are invested in helping our Burlingame schools and community be the best they can be,” said BCE Executive Director Meredith Dunn. “I left the evening feeling so grateful and proud to live in Burlingame."

We are so grateful to the members of the Burlingame Woman’s Club for hosting this spring’s Leadership Circle Reception and for their longstanding support of our schools and community. Their beautiful space provided the perfect setting for an evening centered on collaboration and shared commitment to Burlingame students. As Brown reflected during the conversation, “Public education is really the foundation of a strong community.” The evening was a meaningful reminder of the many ways community partners like the Woman’s Club help build that foundation for every student. A special thank you to Sapore Italian Restaurant for generously partnering with us to cater the event. Their delicious food and warm hospitality helped create a welcoming atmosphere that encouraged conversation and connection.

Join the Leadership Circle

If you are interested in becoming a Leadership Circle donor or learning more about BCE’s work, we invite you to connect with us at info@bcefoundation.org, or make a donation. Leadership Circle donors receive invitations to exclusive events like this spring reception, offering unique opportunities to connect with district leadership, community partners, and fellow supporters. They also receive recognition in BCE publications and enjoy all the benefits of Scholars Circle membership. Most importantly, Leadership Circle members lead by example. Their generosity helps ensure that programs like music, performing arts, PE, world languages, and academic support continue to thrive in every Burlingame school.