The GrowSF Team

GrowSF is a group of people who care about the future of San Francisco and want to see the city invest in growth so we can build for future generations.

We all want a bright future for San Francisco, but local politicians are divided on how we will achieve this. Our local officials in charge today are not focused on actual progress, and residents feel under-informed about local issues and elections. We want to change that.

We want our city to be inclusive, livable, sustainable, and affordable for all families. We want clean streets, healthy transit systems, great public schools, and more housing. We love San Francisco and are working hard to make it the best city it can be.

GrowSF was founded in 2020 to pursue common sense reforms and has no affiliation to a group by the same name that was active around 2016.

Danny Coyles helps GrowSF save outdoor dining
GrowSF helped recall the School Board
Tupelo shows the GrowSF Save Outdoor Dining sign
I <3 SF by GrowSF in the window of a Painted Lady
The GrowSF team at Astranis Space

Get to Know Us

The GrowSF Team

Sachin Agarwal

Sachin Agarwal

Director, Board Member

Engineer, Product Manager, Dad

Hi, my name is Sachin Agarwal. I've worked in tech for nearly 20 years as an engineer at Apple, a product manager at Twitter and Lyft, and a founder of YC backed company Posterous.

I've lived in San Francisco for 15 years and I love it. That's why I've chosen to put down my roots here with my family. My wife and I live in the Inner Sunset. She is a graphic designer at a museum. We have two girls who we want to raise in the city.

A few years ago I left my job in tech to focus on helping San Francisco be the best city it can be. Our city is divided and our leadership makes it hard to build or get anything done. But just a few votes can change things. Literally dozens.

That's why I decided to start GrowSF. I believe San Francisco has the potential to be one of the best cities in the world. I have no plans to run for office, and I'm not affiliated with any candidates or measures. This is just me, trying to help SF grow into the best city it can be.

What I love about SF
  • Botanical Garden

    Botanical Garden

  • Izakaya Sozai

    Izakaya Sozai

  • Outside Lands

    Outside Lands

Steven Buss

Steven Buss

Director

Engineer

Hi, my name is Steven Buss. I was a software engineer for over ten years at Amazon, Counsyl, and Google. I've been a community organizer and political activist in San Francisco for over five years, and formerly served on the Board of Directors of YIMBY Action and YIMBY Law. In 2020 I ran for a position on the Democratic County Central Committee.

I love San Francisco. I'm not from here, I didn't grow up in California, and I don't have any family on the West Coast — but San Francisco feels like home. I believe that anyone who wants to live here should be able to, and that means building more housing, keeping the city safe and clean, and creating the nation's best schools and transit system.

I joined GrowSF because our vision for San Francisco is vibrant, welcoming, prosperous, and growing. GrowSF rejects the politics of scarcity and fear. We will help make San Francisco into the truly open and welcoming city it is destined to be.

What I love about SF
  • Perfect weather

    Perfect weather

  • Innovation

    Innovation

  • Incredible food

    Incredible food

Carrie Barnes

Carrie Barnes

Director of Operations

Manager, Community Leader, Mom

Hi, my name is Carrie Barnes. I have worked on local and citywide political campaigns and serve as President of the Noe Valley Democratic Club. I am an elected delegate to the California Democratic Party and am a candidate for the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee (DCCC).

I’ve called San Francisco home for a decade and have lived on the West Coast for 15 years. I’m passionate about building more housing, leveling the playing field for women, and making our city safe. I want San Francisco to continue to be the shining city on a hill that inspires people around the world.

I am a former entrepreneur and joined GrowSF because the organization is clear in its objectives: we need San Francisco to be a city that works and prioritizes outcomes over ideologies.

What I love about SF
  • Lots of hills!

    Lots of hills!

  • Fresh produce

    Fresh produce

  • Beautiful architecture

    Beautiful architecture

Ryan Brown

Ryan Brown

Board Member

Marketing

Hi, my name is Ryan Brown. I'm an SF native who loves everything about the Bay Area.

My parents immigrated from the Philippines to San Francisco in 1983 to create a better life for me and my two brothers. I studied at St. Ignatius College Preparatory and San Francisco State University.

I'm proud to serve on the board of GrowSF to promote improving the city from within the tech community. I've always wanted to support and get more involved with the city that I've grown up with and continue to fall in love with every day.

I've spent the last decade working in the tech industry as a marketer and creative lead.

What I love about SF
  • The food

    The food

  • The fog

    The fog

  • The culture

    The culture

Jan Chong

Jan Chong

Board Member

Engineering Leader

Hi, my name is Jan Chong. I've been working at various technology companies in the Bay Area as an engineer and engineering manager since 2007.

I moved to San Francisco in 2005, while I was still in school. Like so many people, I was drawn to SF's vibrant restaurants, nature and community, even as it came with roommates, extra jobs and a lot of moving to keep rent manageable. I'm now the proud parent of two girls that I'm raising here in San Francisco and I hope that they'll grow up loving their birth city as much as I've come to.

I joined GrowSF because I fervently believe that you shouldn't have to win the lottery to live and work in San Francisco. I'm pro-affordable housing and pro-public transportation (much to the chagrin of my children, who would much rather I drive them to school 😊) and I want to help make my beliefs a reality for our city.

What I love about SF
  • Walking my dog at Fort Funston

    Walking my dog at Fort Funston

  • Secret Breakfast

    Secret Breakfast

  • Ramen

    Ramen

Garry Tan

Garry Tan

Board Member

President, YCombinator

Garry is CEO of Y Combinator and a founder of Initialized Capital. Prior to this, he was Sachin's co-founder at Posterous.

He lives in San Francisco with his wife and children, and is vocal about the issues facing San Francisco.

Get to Know Us

The Advisory Board

Cyn Wang

Cyn Wang

Westside Family Democratic Club President

Carolyn Chatham

Carolyn Chatham

Director at Bain & Company, Community Volunteer

Nabeel Hyatt

Nabeel Hyatt

General Partner, Spark Capital

Hilary Shirazi

Hilary Shirazi

Corporate Development

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