Meet Lisa

I am a 19-year resident of El Cerrito, moving here when our children were babies. As we raised our children, we enjoyed nearly all of the City’s parks, and programs, from ECYB to the swim center, afterschool programs, and adult enrichment programs. Our children have attended the public schools. We shop and dine local.  I love El Cerrito!

 

Utilizing my masters degree in City and Regional Planning from UC Berkeley, I served two terms on the El Cerrito Planning Commission. During that time, I supported the approval of the San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan and advocated for the preservation of the Contra Costa Florist building, which is now part of the Hana Gardens senior housing development. As a Japanese American, I was very proud to help save this historic building and story.

 

Most of my professional career has centered on affordable housing development. I've worked primarily with nonprofit affordable housing developers, as well as the City and County of San Francisco’s Mayor’s Office of Housing. I currently work for Community Economics, a nonprofit that provides affordable housing finance support and technical assistance to further the creation and preservation of permanent affordable housing throughout the state.