Creative by nature. Political by necessity. Not a politician.
Registered as a Democrat for most of my political life, my growing up was in a mixed-political family in the small steel town of working class Butler, Pennsylvania. Debating politics was fundamental in my upbringing during the years of the Vietnam War, Civil Rights, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, and Carter and politics has always been something I’ve cared deeply about.
My love for California started before I ever set foot in the state. When I was four years old, I told my mother to not get too attached to me because I was going to move to California at my first opportunity. That opportunity came in 1979 when two of my friends landed in San Luis Obispo with a broken down car and no cash on hand. I jumped at the chance to join them, and I have been here ever since.
Being of service to the public is a role I’ve long been interested in. The reason I haven’t stepped into it until now? Timing. California’s leadership has been in strong, steady hands for decades. We’ve had the honor of being represented by powerhouse women like Barbara Boxer, Nancy Pelosi, Dianne Feinstein, and Kamala Harris. My district had Ron Dellums, then Barbara Lee, and now the phenomenal Lateefah Simon to represent us. With such capable people serving the public, I didn’t feel it was the right time – or the right place – to insert myself.
But this year, and into 2026, things are changing. Governor Gavin Newsom is terming out after eight years, opening the door to new leadership. That reality is in the back of my mind – and maybe now, there is space for someone like me to step forward.
My party affiliation is as a Democrat in a two-party system. My platform is viewed as one with a Progressive Social Democracy vision – rooted in equity, creativity, and community care.
As an artist, photographer, writer, and ex-tech engineer, creative problem-solving is one of my core strengths. Just like in the process of making art or embarking on a creative project, we need someone at the helm who can see the big picture and drive real change – not only in our governance, but also in our environment and social structures.
Political Science and Economics may not be listed on my college transcripts, and I didn’t exactly shine in the Maths and Sciences back in the day. But as an older adult, I find myself more deeply interested in these subjects – and probably more well-versed in them than I ever was before.
Artists – and I count myself among them – thrive under pressure. Whether it’s financial constraints, limited materials, or simply the need for fresh ideas, pressure is what fuels us. Managing budgets, whether personal or professional, is something I navigate daily. While I’ve had various day jobs along the way – from being a hotel maid when I first arrived in California to working in cafes, book publishing, and later the technology industry – I’ve often had to think outside the box just to get by.
Photography has taught me to see what others may overlook – capturing a spectrum of realities, framing solutions, and preserving moments that could define history.
And my background in Tech kept me on my toes with weekly or daily SCRUMs, meeting deadlines, project management and getting down and dirty when building networks. Most of my work was in Quality Assurance, working on some interesting technical projects that required a sharp eye for details and finding work around solutions to problems as well as working on international teams.
Empathy and compassion are two of the most important qualities in a great leader. A leader who truly listens, who seeks to understand the needs and struggles of others, is the one who can create lasting change. It’s through empathy that we build bridges, and through compassion that we ensure no one is left behind. These are values I carry with me in everything I do – from my art to my leadership vision.
Intention to Run Statement
Empathy and compassion are two of the most important qualities in a great leader.