In 2019 Shiva and Brendan Keeney started out as co-workers, then friends. They attended the Walnut Creek Art and Wine Festival together, and that friendship turned into romance. “We are still best friends,” says Shiva. At the beginning of 2023 Brendan planned a surprise engagement. He invited all of their families to local restaurant Massimo’s and popped the question. “One week later we also found out we were expecting our first child,” adds Shiva, “which put our wedding on a slight hold.” Their son was born in September, and their wedding happened a year later in October 2024. “It made choosing a ring bearer very easy!”
Shiva and Brendan are both Northern Californians; she from San Mateo and he from Granite Bay. Brendan attended Cal and played football for the Bears. Shiva attended San Diego State for her undergraduate degree and St. Mary’s for her MBA in finance. She works for Oura Ring where she is leading their expansion into healthcare. Brendan has been working in insurance since graduation and is a broker for Gallagher. Little Kaden is now two, and a baby sister is due this month. Shiva and Brendan moved to Northgate in 2024. Before having kids, they were avid golfers, often playing twilight at Boundary Oak. Now they mostly spend their free time supporting Kaden’s love of golf. “Kaden is obsessed with golf,” adds Shiva. “During the summer when the weather was warmer, he could spend three hours swinging his clubs in the backyard!” He even eats breakfast watching golf on TV. He does enjoy other sports too, and he loves animals and, like many little boys, construction equipment. “He can watch an excavator for hours.”
Shiva and Brendan also enjoy cooking and having family dinners each night. Shiva shares recipes on her Instagram @kitchentender and occasionally in this magazine. Shiva has Persian and Welsh roots and hopes to pass down all the amazing recipes her Persian grandmother made.
The Keeneys also have a nine-year-old poodle named Walter that they rescued from NorCal Poodle. “He was very upset when we came home with a child,”
shares Shiva. “It has taken two years, but he has finally come around to tolerating his little brother,” she laughs.
Brendan is an avid sports fan of football, golf, baseball, and more. He’s a treasure trove of facts of current players and historical information. His favorite teams are the 49ers and the Giants. They also love exploring the trails that are so close to home, spending time at Arbolado Park, and visiting the Diablo Farmers’ Market most Saturdays. Kaden is a huge fan of the live musical entertainment there and loves to dance.
They have a dream of someday owning a bigger property where they can grow their own food and raise animals. “We care a lot about family and spending family time together,” says Shiva. “As long as we are building a life where our family has a close bond, we have met all the most important goals for ourselves.” As a young family they are just starting family traditions, like taking a vacation in Newport Beach, which they have done for the past two years now.
“Our neighbors are wonderful. There are many kids in the neighborhood. We love the people and the proximity to our favorite trails,” reflects Shiva, “and we are always looking to make friends with other parents.” Look for them at Arbolado Park; they live just across the street!
By Kara Navolio, Resident since 1991; Photos provided by The Keeney Family