MV Architect Appointed One of Marin Humane Society's Newest Board Members

The Marin Humane Society (MHS) welcomed new appointments Leilani Borenstein, of San Rafael, and Chip Smith, of Mill Valley, to its ten-member, non-profit Board of Directors.

“I am pleased to welcome Leilani and Chip to the MHS Board of Directors,” said Board President John Thompson. “We look forward to benefitting from their significant experience in financial services, information technology and strategic planning.”

Chip Smith is the owner of Verdigris, a Sausalito-based architectural firm specializing in light commercial, residential and multi-family housing. Over 20 years his involvement with projects as both architect and developer has provided experience with design, construction, entitlements, financing, and the regulatory environment. 

Smoth’s peripheral interests in technology and the environment led to ownership positions with one of the first Internet Service Providers in the Bay Area, as well as the first fully compliant grid powered solar plant in California. Working with the PTA for his son’s school, Chip helped complete a long running campaign to create play fields and a wetlands teaching area. He also worked on ballot Measure C for Mill Valley.

Chip, who really likes dogs, and his wife Lisa, who really likes cats, live in Mill Valley with their son, who really likes any obscure animal, and their dog Marmot, leopard gecko Zip, and fish Taco.

Leilani Borenstein’s career in information technology includes senior assignments in financial services, insurance and telecommunications companies. Following positions as Chief Technology Officer at two insurance intermediaries, Leilani started her own corporate contingency planning business where her projects included systems and business strategic planning, systems and business recovery planning, risk management, change management, large scale systems implementations, and business reengineering.

Now retired, Borensein lives in San Rafael with her husband Rick and their two rescue cats, Rocky and Leo. Leilani also volunteered for several years as an Adoption Counselor and has helped with special events planning at MHS.