Teresa Chapman Appointed to International Advisory Board of the Silicon Valley African Film Festival
SAN JOSE, CA — The Silicon Valley African Film Festival (SVAFF) announced today the appointment of Teresa Chapman, MDR, PHR, Chief People Officer at Santa Clara Family Health Plan, to its International Advisory Board, effective immediately.
Chapman is widely recognized as an innovative leader in human resources, organizational culture, and civic engagement. She was recently named to the Silicon Valley Business Journal’s Power 100 for her pioneering work in HR modernization and workforce wellbeing.
“Teresa has been a friend and generous supporter of our festival for many years, and we are deeply honored that her schedule now permits her to join our International Advisory Board,” said Chike C. Nwoffiah, Founder and Executive Director of the Silicon Valley African Film Festival. “Our festival will benefit immensely from her brilliant mind, vast experience in civic leadership and community building, and her grounding in cultural authenticity.”
As Chief People Officer of Santa Clara Family Health Plan, Chapman leads people strategy for a mission-driven healthcare organization serving more than 290,000 members across Santa Clara County. She is also an educator and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach who teaches Organizational Development and Change at UCSC Extension, helping cultivate the next generation of leaders.
Chapman holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics from the University of San Francisco, a Master of Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University School of Law, and the Professional in Human Resources (PHR)certification.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Chapman brings a profound personal connection to the African diaspora. A transformative journey to Ghana awakened her spiritual and cultural connection to the African diaspora. During that visit she received the Akan name Adwoa, a name given to girls born on Monday — symbolizing empathy, peace, and the power to bring people together.
“For the last four years, SVAFF has been a homecoming of a different kind for me,” Chapman said. “Through its films and conversations, the festival reveals the richness and complexity of African stories and reminds us that storytelling is one of the most powerful bridges between people and their truth.”
On joining the advisory board, Chapman added:
“I believe deeply in SVAFF’s mission. Africa is not somewhere I came from — it is something I carry within me. Supporting this festival means honoring voices that have always known who we are and ensuring that those stories continue to reach people still finding their way home.”
Chapman joins the International Advisory Board as the festival continues expanding its global reach and influence as one of the leading platforms for authentic African and African diaspora storytelling.
About the Silicon Valley African Film Festival
For nearly two decades, the Silicon Valley African Film Festival has been a cultural gateway connecting Silicon Valley audiences with the vibrant storytelling traditions of Africa and its diaspora.
Each year the festival curates over 90 films from more than 30 countries, alongside live performances, fashion showcases, artist conversations, and educational workshops that invite audiences to experience Africa through authentic creative voices.
SVAFF has become one of the most respected platforms for African cinema in the United States — a place where filmmakers, scholars, and global audiences gather to engage with stories that inform, inspire, and transform.