I believe in the potential of Costa Mesa for all of us: families, single folk, young people, seniors, small business owners, and creatives. I’m a mom driven by local community needs, not politics, to face problems head on.
My track record in Costa Mesa shows that I get involved and am unafraid of doing the sometimes hard, uncomfortable work required of good leaders. I listen to people first, and then analyze the data, in order to make big picture decisions grounded in the local details. And I’m excited to represent District 5 on City Council!
Meet Kelly
Serving our country and serving our community is a core family value. I’m proud to come from a family who has served in our military every generation going back to the U.S. Civil War. In addition to this military service, my family are also teachers, public servants, and union advocates. I have dedicated my professional life to public service, too, with over 25 years of experience working in the public sector:
My Uncle Lonnie and dad serving in Vietnam
Public service is in my DNA. Community is at my core.
I’ve managed grant programs that serve children 0-5 and their families at the county and statewide levels.
I’ve taught literature and composition in the classroom in higher education.
I’ve directed statewide research and workforce development programs.
Through these experiences I’ve learned how best to center authentic and meaningful public engagement and ensure that government processes–which are often SO confusing and seemingly random–are transparent and accessible.
Thirteen years ago my husband Jeff and I moved our young family to Orange County following a job opportunity at UC Irvine. We fell in love with Costa Mesa’s small-town vibes, and put down roots. Through my 5 year service on Costa Mesa’s Parks and Community Services Commission, which I now lead as Chair, I’ve learned first hand how the city runs (and what gets in the way). I recognize the extraordinary opportunities we have to make life better for all of us in our city.
As a mom I’m passionately engaged with local public schools in Costa Mesa. I’ve been a part of PTAs at College Park Elementary and at Mesa, and in Mesa’s Volleyball Boosters Club, where our daughter Nora plays both indoor and beach volleyball. I’ve led collaborative efforts to bring Science Camp to College Park and secured volleyball beach transportation so that our kids have the resources they need to thrive. I’m continually impressed by how Costa Mesans work together to make our city special, and am committed to making sure that our institutions better support community efforts.
Me cheering on Mesa beach volleyball. Go mustangs!
Proud to call Costa Mesa home.
My strong community ties, leadership as a City Commissioner, and professional experience with long-term strategic planning, careful budgeting, and weighing the needs of different constituencies well prepares me for the challenging work ahead as your City Councilmember.
I have a background in policy analysis and program development, and have worked in government bodies at city, county, and statewide levels. I’ve managed multi-million dollar public budgets and supervised high performing, cross-functional teams. My PhD training at UC Santa Cruz required that I was always in the classroom teaching; this is where I honed my skills as a listener and moderator, making sure that everyone had a voice in the classroom. And in my current role as a communications director at UC Irvine, I oversee strategic communications, managing all internal and external communications for the School of Humanities. I look forward to drawing upon these diverse experiences as your next councilperson.
If you looked in on me in a more private moment, you’d find me reading, having coffee with a friend at Neat or Nudae or Moongoat, enjoying live music, camping with my family, baking, or over a telescope doing beginner-level astronomy.
Chairing PACS makes me smile
Afternoon coffee break at Neat!
I’m ready for what’s ahead!
Want to learn more?
Read more about my approach to city issues.
