Community Mourns Loss of Activist Rose Filicetti at 73

Rose Filicetti, a dedicated activist and community leader from Capitola, passed away on November 10 at the age of 73. She died following complications from heart surgery, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and service to numerous local nonprofits.

Filicetti’s extensive career included numerous roles that significantly impacted her community. She served as a trustee for the Santa Cruz County Board of Education, worked as a field representative for local politicians, and was an advocate for over 100 nonprofits. Her commitment to social justice and community service was evident throughout her life. “She was a remarkable woman,” stated Suzanne Doty, a longtime friend and board treasurer for Nonprofit Connection Santa Cruz County, which Filicetti helped establish. “She was very intelligent, very compassionate, a networker extraordinaire.”

Filicetti earned her bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Washington and later received a master’s degree in business with an emphasis on finance and banking from Golden Gate University. Her professional journey began in banking, where she held administrative roles at institutions including Crocker National, Shawmut, and Bank of America. Eventually, she became a vice president of corporate banking, before transitioning to public service in Santa Clara County.

During her decade-long tenure on the Mountain View Whisman School District Board of Trustees, Filicetti also worked as a senior field representative for Assembly Pro Tempore Sally Lieber and Senator Saren Joseph Simitian. She later became the executive director of the Mountain View Educational Foundation and spent 18 years leading the Santa Clara County School Boards Association.

In 2011, Filicetti relocated to Santa Cruz County, initially anticipating retirement. However, her passion for community involvement led her to become deeply engaged with local initiatives. One significant project was her involvement with Digital NEST, a nonprofit founded by Jacob Martinez in 2014 to provide job skills to underserved youth in areas affected by the tech industry.

Martinez noted that Filicetti was a driving force behind the organization. “She was probably my biggest advocate from day one, sharing our vision of what we were trying to accomplish,” he said. Her ability to connect with potential donors and ensure the financial stability of Digital NEST was vital to its expansion, which now includes locations in four additional cities.

Her contributions extended to various social justice initiatives. Filicetti was a key figure in establishing the Breaking the Glass Ballot initiative, aimed at increasing female representation in elected offices. This program was particularly important to her as she sought to address the gender imbalance in local governance.

Assemblymember Gail Pellerin praised Filicetti’s unwavering commitment to equity and her inspiration for women to pursue public service. “She brought compassion, integrity, and purpose to every role she embraced,” Pellerin commented. Assemblymember Dawn Addis also expressed her admiration, highlighting Filicetti’s leadership and dedication to justice, stating, “She was a leader, a friend, and a true warrior for justice and will be deeply missed by our entire Santa Cruz community.”

Filicetti’s six-year tenure on the Santa Cruz County Board of Education was marked by her efforts to partner with nonprofits, advocate for LGBTQ+ students, and promote public health initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Faris Sabbah, county superintendent of schools, Filicetti consistently sought to improve educational opportunities. “She was somebody who never took no for an answer,” Sabbah reflected.

In March 2020, Filicetti founded Nonprofit Connection to address gaps within the nonprofit sector in Santa Cruz County, as identified by a study from the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. The organization aimed to foster collaboration among local nonprofits and connect them with essential resources. Doty noted the need for such an initiative, stating, “She helped the nonprofits stay connected to each other, learn through each other, collaborate.”

Under Filicetti’s guidance, Nonprofit Connection grew rapidly, surpassing its initial goal of 25 member nonprofits within a year to reach over 100, including major organizations like Community Bridges and the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County. This achievement underscored Filicetti’s vision of inclusivity and support for nonprofits of all sizes.

Kayla Traber, a key member of Nonprofit Connection and development director for Grey Bears, described Filicetti as a nurturing force who encouraged growth in others. “She was such a force to me in being able to encourage me to dream and move towards my passions,” Traber shared.

Filicetti’s final months included a planned heart valve replacement surgery at Dominican Hospital. After experiencing complications, she passed away with her family by her side. Doty recounted a touching moment during Filicetti’s final hours, as her daughter, Andrea Savage, performed music for her mother’s transition.

A celebration of life is scheduled for December 1 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center in Santa Cruz. Attendees are encouraged to wear purple, Filicetti’s favorite color, and share memories. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Nonprofit Connection, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Commún Denver Inc.

Doty emphasized the lasting impact Filicetti had on her community, stating, “Her passion and vision will live on in each person she met.” Those wishing to honor Filicetti’s legacy can register for the celebration via EventBrite and submit written memories for her family to cherish.