Come join us this April at Crystal Springs Golf Club for a sit-down dinner with special guest, Marisa Lagos, KQED’s California Politics and Government Desk correspondent and co-host of the show and podcast, Political Breakdown.

The night will also include a live auction hosted by the #1 Elite Benefit Auctioneer in the United States, Ellen Toscano, as well as silent auction items from businesses across San Mateo County.

You will hear special talks from other prominent domestic violence advocates, including CORA’s CEO, Karen A. Ferguson. There will also be a special video presentation about CORA’s work, the survivors it impacts, and how your generosity is put into action.

Meet Our Guest Speakers and Auctioneer

Marisa Lagos

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Marisa Lagos has spent more than 20 years reporting in the Bay Area, becoming a leading and highly trusted voice in political journalism. With a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Global Peace & Security from UC Santa Barbara, she has reported for the San Francisco Examiner and the San Francisco Chronicle, where she covered San Francisco City Hall and state politics for nearly 9 years. Now, approaching her 11th year with KQED, Marisa Lagos is a correspondent for KQED’s California Politics and Government Desk and co-hosts a weekly show and podcast, Political Breakdown. Her work focuses on reporting, analysis, and investigations into state, local and national politics, including sitting down with political insiders each week on Political Breakdown to offer viewers a behind-the-scenes look into the lives and personalities of those driving politics in California and beyond. She has also won awards for her work investigating the 2017 wildfires and her ongoing coverage of criminal justice issues in California.

Karen A. Ferguson, PhD, CORA CEO

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Dr. Karen A. Ferguson, CEO of CORA, is a dynamic leader, licensed clinical psychologist, and a leading voice on domestic violence in the Bay Area. She combines her expertise in behavioral science with extensive experience leading nonprofit organizations to advance safety and support for survivors. Karen is frequently called on by local media to speak on domestic violence and was most recently quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle. She works closely with elected officials and county representatives to strengthen services and safety, collaborating across local and regional networks of agencies and community partners.

Before joining CORA, Karen built an extensive career in refugee services. She served as a State Refugee Coordinator in Alaska and later as Executive Director of the International Rescue Committee in Northern California, where she led initiatives supporting resettlement and integration for refugee communities. Karen’s work is defined by a commitment to equity, collaboration, and meaningful impact for individuals and families experiencing abuse.

Ellen Toscano

Ellen Toscano, The Singing Auctioneer ...

Ellen Toscano, founder of The Singing Auctioneer LLC, has been a professional singer, actress, and stage performer for nearly her entire life. Before embarking on her journey of becoming a fundraising auctioneer in 2016, Ellen spent 10 years as the lead performer in “Beach Blanket Babylon”, the longest-running music revue in the world. Now, through combining her two greatest passions of performing and helping others, Ellen is a nationally renowned fundraising auctioneer, voted the #1 Auctioneer in the United States in 2024. She has glowing reviews from the organizations she partners with, including non-profits such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Los Angeles, the San Francisco Zoological Society, and The Salvation Army. Executing over 50 successful fundraising events each year, Ellen brings a combination of her musical abilities, skills as an entertainer, and passion for making a difference to fundraising events across the country, helping engage audiences in fun, unique and authentic ways.

CORA's Story

CORA has been a critical community provider for 48 years and the only organization focused solely on domestic violence services and prevention in San Mateo County. CORA is dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence, including child witnesses, with a comprehensive approach that includes mental health support, housing, outreach, prevention and legal services. We work with the most vulnerable populations, those with low or no income, limited English proficiency and racial/ethnic minorities, offering the hope and support needed to break the cycles of violence in their relationships.

Our organization is the result of the 2003 merger between the Center for Domestic Violence Prevention and Sor Juana Inés Services for Abused Women. This restructuring combines expertise in serving the Latino community with seasoned prevention and crisis intervention services for all affected by intimate partner abuse. With this merger, we became CORA (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse). Our name reflects our understanding that it takes a community, working together, to end intimate partner abuse.

Our values and vision recognize the connection between social and institutional oppression (including sexism, racism and heterosexism) and violence, including intimate partner abuse, and the fact that intimate partner abuse results from and is perpetuated by societal beliefs and norms. Our broad spectrum of services address the intergenerational nature of violence and our goal of creating a community where intimate partners treat one another with mutual respect, compassion and integrity.

Thank You to Our Event Sponsors

Thank You to Our In-Kind Sponsors

CORA's Annual Gala Celebration

Join us for a night of dinner, conversation and community