My grandparents purchased their Menlo Park home in the 1950s. In 1996, my husband and I purchased our home in Menlo Park. I’ve been honored to serve on City Council since 2010 and as mayor in 2012 and 2017.

I have had my own law practice in San Mateo County for over twenty years. I also have volunteered with community organizations throughout San Mateo County for over twenty years. I currently serve on the boards of BAWSCA, the Service League, and the advisory board of CORA: Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse.  I was elected President for two consecutive years by fellow Commissioners while serving on the San Mateo County Commission on the Status of Women, where I served for eight years.


In Menlo Park, I have served on the Community Mediation Services Committee, Housing Commission and Planning Commission. I was elected to Menlo Park City Council in 2010.
Over two decades of service to the community: 
  • 2013-2018 : BAWSCA - Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency, Board of Directors
  • 2018-2018 : San Mateo County Bar Association, Budget and Finance Committee
  • 2016-2018 : California Democratic Municipal Officials (DMO), President 2018
  • 2016-2018 : National Democratic Municipal Officials (DMO), Board Member
  • 2012-2018 : Service League of San Mateo County, Finance Committee, Board Member
  • 2011-2018 : CORA - Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse, Advisory Board Member
  • 1997-2018 : San Mateo County Legal Aid Society, Fundraising Committee Member
  • 2016-2018 : California Democratic Municipal Officials (DMO), President 2018
  • 2016-2018 : National Democratic Municipal Officials (DMO), Board Member
  • 2015-2018 : League of California Cities, Women's Caucus, President 2018
  • 2011-2018 : SFCJPA - San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority, Chair 2015
  • 2011-2018 : League of California Cities, Peninsula Division, President 2015
  • 2011-2018 : City/County Association of Governments, Vice Chair 2014
  • 2010-2018 : Menlo Park City Council, Mayor 2012 & 2017
  • 2013-2016 : San Mateo County Transit District, Dumbarton Rail Corridor PAC Member, Vice Chair
  • 2011-2014 : JobTrain, Technical Advisory Committee Member
  • 2009-2013 : Haven House, Legal Services Volunteer
  • 2004-2010 : Menlo Park Planning Commission, Chair 2007
  • 2004-2005 : Laurel School PTO, Financial Secretary
  • 2003-2006 : National Women’s Political Caucus of San Mateo County, President 2004
  • 2003-2004 : AYSO, Region 109, Menlo Park & Atherton, Soccer Coach 
  • 2003-2004 : Menlo Park Housing Commission, Commissioner
  • 2003-2004 : Emerge Political Training Leadership Program for Democratic Women, Graduate
  • 2002-2005 : League of Women Voters of South San Mateo County, Board Member
  • 2002-2003 : San Mateo County Citizens Academy, Graduate
  • 2001-2006 : San Mateo County Bar Association, Committee Delegate
  • 2001-2003 : Menlo Park Community Mediation Services Committee, Member
  • 2000-2004 : San Mateo County Democratic Central Committee, Alternate for Joe Simitian
  • 1998-2001 : San Mateo County battered women’s service agency Sor Juana Inez, Board Member
  • 1998-1999 : San Mateo County Prenatal to Three, Adopt-A-Family Program Member
  • 1996-2004 : County Commission on the Status of Women, Commissioner, President 2000-2002
  • 1993-1995 : Fair Oaks Community Center, International Institute, Immigrant Rights Volunteer
  • 1992-1993 : San Mateo County Legal Aid Society, Law Clerk
  • 1991-1993 : Public Interest Law Foundation of Golden Gate University, President 1992
  • 1991-1992 : Domestic Violence Unit at the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, Law Clerk
  • 1991-1992 : Family Violence Prevention Fund, Volunteer Victim Advocate
Academic Credentials
  • Golden Gate University, School of Law
    J.D., Law with Public Interest Law Award

  • University of California, Santa Barbara
    B.A., Political Science with an International Relations Emphasis