I grew up in Oak Park and South Sacramento with my single, teenage mother who graduated from high school and worked multiple jobs for long hours during my childhood. I learned how to navigate challenges at an early age, alongside both my mother and grandmother, who were my first visions of strong women. Together, they showed me what it looked like to move forward, if even out of necessity, to persevere.
My father immigrated from Mexico to pursue his dream of owning his own business, Mario’s Landscaping, which beautified the Sacramento region until his death at the age of 39. My father believed in teaching his children to have a strong work ethic, and my visits sometimes involved waking up in the dark at 4:00am to water trees and shrubs and pull weeds. Holding that water hose in the cold reminded me to how to respect the value of hard work and to recognize my blessings.
I attended both Valley and Florin High Schools, and as a senior, didn’t expect to attend college. Thanks to an incredible high school counselor, Michael Beckner, who both encouraged and facilitated the college application process, I earned a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley and later, a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University. Upon graduation, I moved from Boston to Washington DC for my first job before returning to California where I worked in the State Capitol. I returned to Berkeley to complete my law degree and later moved to West Sacramento, where I started a family and have resided since. I am currently employed in both the County of Sacramento and the City of West Sacramento.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am married to my best friend, Jose, and we are the very proud parents of four great kids, Lexi (17), Erika (15), Noa (11), and Mateo (9). Lexi and Erika are brilliant scholars and artists and dote over their younger brothers. More importantly, they are incredible humanitarians who will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on our world. Our son Noa has been with the West Sac Soccer Club for the past 7 years and now plays half-back with the WSSC Team Arsenal under Coach Memo Villegas, Sr. Mateo is our West Sac Little League AAA slugger who plays catcher under the guidance of his hero, Coach Mario Santos. We reside in a small house in Old West Sac with our 110-pound black Lab Jax and love our neighbors like family. In fact, we have made some very special relationships with a few amazing people in our city who we also consider to be more family than friends.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am a prosecutor in the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit of the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, where I have been employed for the past 16 years. Over a third of my career has been dedicated to prosecuting cases involving the sexual and physical abuse of children. Before the DA’s Office, when I worked for the White House Office of Management & Budget, I managed the President’s Hispanic Education Action Plan, Native American, Bilingual, and Vocational Education programs, and other federal programs targeted to raise the educational outcomes of opportunity youth. Upon my return to California, I served as Advisor to then Lt. Governor Cruz M. Bustamante where I served as his Executive Director of the Commission for One California and managed Tribal Relations and Veterans Affairs. During this time, I began a side career as a fitness instructor, teaching kickboxing, cycle, and strength training classes at 24 Hour Fitness, Golds, and other gyms.
In 2016, I stepped forward in service to my immediate community as a candidate for West Sacramento City Council. I was elected and in 2020, began my second term. As your council member, I have led community wide efforts to empower children to embrace service to their community by creating West Sac Kids Give Back (WSKGB) and West Sac Girls Give Back (WSGGB), both of which inspire leadership in our youth and inspire them to appreciate service above self. Over the last 5 years these groups have collected thousands of school supplies, backpacks, and feminine hygiene products for fellow students in need, several thousand care packages for West Sacramentans experiencing homelessness, pet supplies for local fire victims, and truckloads of yarn for our West Sac Active Aging Knit & Crochet Club. In addition, I also championed the West Sac Downtown Streets Team (DST) which inspires members of our homeless community to improve their lives by achieving their greatest potential. DST members beautify our community by picking up trash and sharp needles in return for a modest stipend for basic necessities. In the process, many have graduated from the program with permanent housing and employment, in addition to a feeling of respect and reintegration into a community they call their own.
I am simply driven by purpose and a mission to help. I have been blessed with opportunities that lifted me to a place where I can do what I love to do – change the life trajectory for children and inspire and empower them to transcend any of their self-perceived limitations. There’s no feeling more important than hope.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Mr. (Fred) Rogers once said “Look for the helpers.” I have great respect for businesses that give back to their community. Over the years, I have been humbled to see the West Sac Sports Bar & Grill, Lenise’s Cafe, Streets of London, and Kick-N-Mule respond to the call. This list is certainly not exclusive, and I know others are also doing really great things.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I purchased my first house in Bridgeway Island back in 2007 and later moved to a home on Bridgeway Lakes Drive. In 2014, I came across an older house in Old West Sac that I fell in love with. My family of 6 now resides in that delightful little house in the State Streets.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I can’t choose one, as West Sac is blessed with so many remarkable people. Barbara Smith can light up the entire city with her smile. Merlin Love is eccentric and brilliant. Matt Hargrove has a love for West Sacramento and its history that I greatly admire.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
The Amazon Rain Forest before it is no longer.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Forrest Gump.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Smile at strangers. Do good, regardless of who gets the credit.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I would love to one day open my own cycle studio and take my son Mateo to see Stonehenge. But maybe not at the same time.
Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
Cold Supply. If I can’t decide, then Coldplay and Air Supply will do just fine.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Club Pheasant is West Sac historic. The place where my kids grew up eating is Carols so it’s more personally nostalgic.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would choose my dear friend Sally. Sally was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. I would be delighted to order takeout and eat it on our laps while enjoying a pedicure.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Our people. West Sacramentans are loyal to our community, proud of our city, and willing to roll up our sleeves to help one another. It truly is remarkable.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I would be celebrating yet another anniversary with my amazing husband and helping my kids navigate the next stages of their lives. And maybe enjoying that cycle studio.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I was born with significant hearing loss and needed multiple operations to restore my hearing.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Home. There is no place like it.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
I love Thanksgiving because it is so filled with connection. That said, I think we should strive to make every day more Thanksgiving-like. There is no better time to start than today.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Inspiring someone to imagine a different narrative for what could be. My 11-year-old holding my hand. And Fruity Pebbles.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Knowing that my kids are learning from my example.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Chorizo and eggs.
Q: What is one business you would like to have in West Sacramento? (which we don’t have one already)
I miss Safeway and shopped there until its final day in West Sac. But since it has to be a new business, I’d say Trader Joes.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Our home is warm and lively. Our kids play outside until it gets dark. We dance in the kitchen.
