DARLENE SANCHEZ TENES BIO

Ms. Tenes founded CasaQ, a Hispanic Lifestyle Company that creates and curates products, events and travel for people who embrace the Latino culture. In 2020, she founded the Farmworker Caravan to support California farmworkers who are working during heatwaves, wildfire smoke and fearful of COVID-19 throughout the pandemic for long hours with little pay to keep food on the tables of everyone across America. 

Since 2003 Ms. Tenes has been a regular contributor on NBC Bay Area and CBS-5 in the San Francisco Bay Area as a Latino Lifestyle expert discussing history, foods, and traditions of Mexico, Spain and other Latin-American countries. Known for her micro-history lessons and quick wit she became a favorite guest sharing recipes, entertaining tips and more with the television audience. She has co-hosted the annual CasaQ / NBC Bay Area’s Best Darn Tamale contest from 2004 - 2011 and is featured on PBS Heirloom Meals Christmas

Ms. Tenes teaches event and meeting planning courses to industry professionals through San Francisco State University College Extended Learning certificate program, and has presented at numerous corporate and professional associations. She is a eHow food expert and a professional speaker at seminars, conferences and cruise lines.

Her marketing methods have been featured in Guerrilla Marketing - Job Escape Plan book by Jay Conrad Levinson and Andrew Neitlich, Visual Marketing book by David Langton and Anita Campbell and 501 Ways to Roll Out the Red Carpet for Your Customers by Donna Cutting. 


Ms. Tenes currently serves on the San Jose Woman's Club and History San Jose Board of Directors. Previously she served on Catholic Charities, Silicon Valley Boys & Girls Club, San Jose Police Foundation and PACT – People Acting in Community Together boards and advisory committees for San Jose Rep, One Economy/Ebay Foundation, Mercury News Latino Advisory Committee and San Jose Job Corps. She mentored youth for many years at Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall and The Role Model Program. Ms. Tenes was the founder of BRAVO Toastmasters, one of only six bilingual groups in the nation, and was named Toastmaster of the Year in 1999.

She has been recognized by the following organizations:

  • Beyond the Bench - Unsung Hero, Santa Clara County Superior Court
  • Hank Tedesco Award for Small Business Excellence, Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce
  • The Woman of Influence Award, Small Business Forum Radio 
  • Toastmaster of the Year Award, Toastmasters Northern California
  • California State Assembly, Certificate of Recognition from Assemblymembers Joe Coto, Manny Diaz, Ash Kalra, Robert Rivas
  • Community Service for Youth Award, San Jose Job Corps
  • Sisterhood Award, Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley
  • Community Hero, SCC Commission on the Status of Women
  • Community Hero, San Jose Earthquakes 
  • Community Service Award, Brawny® giant!
  • Mazda Heroes, Mazda USA
  • Personal Best Feature, AARP Magazine
  • Opus Christi Award - Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey