Microsoft Citizenship Leader, Sid Espinosa Recognized with Humanitarian Award

Sid Espinosa, Director of Corporate Citizenship at Microsoft and Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, was honored at the 15th Annual Josephine and Frank Duveneck Humanitarian Award on September 24, 2011 at Hidden Villa in Los Altos Hills. Sid was recognized for his advocacy and the contributions he has made to the local community in the areas of education, environment and economic development.

Through his role and leadership at Microsoft, Sid develops programs for both community outreach at grassroots level and long-term philanthropic partnerships with non-profit organizations in the Silicon Valley. Prior to joining Microsoft, Sid’s career spanned across the government, business, philanthropic and non-profit sectors. After working at the Democratic National Committee during the 1994 congressional campaigns, he joined the Clinton Administration, working both at the White House and then as an advisor to U.S. Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice.

Along with Sid, Norman Y. Mineta and Susan Ford Dorsey were honored at the Humanitarian Award dinner for their outstanding leadership in the Silicon Valley community. Sid feels honored to be recognized among such remarkable figures - Mineta is former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Commerce, while Dorsey is the president of the Sand Hill Foundation and serves on the boards of various nonprofit organizations.

Sid shares the values of the founders of Hidden Villa, Josephine and Frank Duveneck, a couple who dedicated their lives to improve the community around them. The Duvenecks purchased 1600-acres of land in the valley in 1924 and have devoted Hidden Villa to educational, environmental and humanitarian activities such as conserving the natural habitat and facilitating one of the first interracial summer camps in America. Upon Frank’s death, the family donated Hidden Villa to the community to honor and continue the legacy of the Duveneck family.

All proceeds from the Awards dinner directly support Hidden Villa’s programs, partnerships and scholarship opportunities that provide over $350,000 in support annually.