Lisa will use her life experiences and determination to help our community.
With over 11 years of experience in city government as Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilmember, Lisa has been at the forefront of positive change in our community.
Lisa was raised by a single mother in East Palo Alto. Her father served in the army and then worked as a union cement mason in our community, building much of the infrastructure we rely on today.
Lisa’s mother worked hard to provide stability and eventually purchased their home in East Palo Alto for $18,000. Today, Lisa still resides with her daughter and grandson in that same house.
We can count on Lisa, no matter how tough the challenge is.
Throughout her years of public service, Lisa has been instrumental in driving change in our community.- Lisa was the Mayor when East Palo Alto recorded zero homicides for the first time in city history
- Lisa led East Palo Alto during the COVID-19 pandemic
- She held power companies accountable for providing slower service to disadvantaged communities
- Lisa oversaw the creation of hundreds of units of affordable housing
- Is a founding member of One Shoreline to ensure we are committed to sea-level rise resilience
- Lisa is the board chair of the Health Trust, whose mission is to ensure everyone has the opportunity to be healthy – especially the most vulnerable
An example of strength, leadership and unwavering dedication to our community.
When Lisa reached the age of 25, she was the mother to three children – Brittnee, Ashley, and Huey. Unfortunately, her husband, who was in the military, was abusive, prompting Lisa to escape and return to her hometown of East Palo Alto. Despite lacking a college degree and being separated from her children, Lisa secured employment and steadily climbed the career ladder. After a two-year struggle, she successfully regained custody of her beloved kids.
Lisa’s pursuit of higher education began in adulthood, opening doors and propelling her professional growth. She earned her degree in Business Administration and Marketing Management while working full-time and serving as mayor. Her remarkable journey led to her current role as the Senior Vice President of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group.
Public service, not politics, has always been a significant part of Lisa's life. Encouraged by her daughter, she ran for city council in 2012 and won against all odds.