Board of Directors

Passionate About Progress, Dedicated to Impact

Our Board of Directors is made up of passionate leaders who bring a wealth of experience from diverse industries, all united by a common goal—enhancing recreational opportunities in San Francisco. Seth Socolow, co-founder and executive director of SFFSR, has a track record of launching innovative products that change the way people interact with technology. His entrepreneurial spirit and community focus drive our mission forward. Nikhil Desai, a biotech veteran and avid tennis enthusiast, applies his leadership experience to help us preserve and improve recreational spaces across the city. Together, they lead our efforts to make lasting improvements to public sports facilities and programs, ensuring access and opportunity for all.

Seth Socolow

Seth Socolow is the co-founder and executive director of San Franciscans for Sports & Recreation. Seth’s passion encompasses creating and marketing products that change how people interact with technology in their daily lives. In 2009, Seth founded the AppShow (appshow.com), where over 200 mobile apps, including Uber and Waze, launched. Seth currently splits his time between running SFFSR and assisting his wife, top San Francisco realtor Helena Zaludova, with running Hyascent, a home fragrance brand with a growing product line and fan base.

Anthony Giles

Anthony Giles has been a lawyer in San Francisco since 1995, after attending UC Berkeley Law School.

He is married to Carey Perloff, the former Artistic Director of American Conservatory Theatre (ACT). 

Born in the United Kingdom, Anthony became an American citizen in July 2019, after 35 years with a green card!

Nikhil Desai

Nikhil Desai has worked in the Biotech industry for more than 30 years. He worked at Abbott labs for 18 years; his digital team was responsible for the mobile app and cloud infrastructure for the blockbuster FreeStyle Libre Glucose sensor.

Recently, he has joined UCSF Memory & Aging Center as Digital Lead for a lab at the forefront of frontotemporal dementia research.

 Nikhil joined the San Francisco Tennis Club in 2007 and has captained many tennis teams at multiple levels (mens and mixed).

YTA Arthur Ashe 2024 Award Winner

Click to watch the video to hear SFFSR co-founder and board member on opening day at Hunters Point tennis courts. Learn how the love of tennis turned into a way to rally for communities of San Francisco. YTA Peter Wright presents Socolow with their 2024 Arthur Ashe award.