Rooted in Family and Hard Work

Yvonne’s dedication to public service is deeply inspired by her family’s history

The daughter of agricultural workers who met in the fields of Central Coast California, she learned the values of hard work, grit, and resilience early on. Growing up as the only daughter in her household in Santa Clara, Yvonne went on to become a first-generation college graduate from Mission College & San Jose State University (Political Science major)—an experience that fueled her lifelong commitment to expanding opportunities for working families in our region.

Yvonne knows firsthand what’s at stake for working families in Santa Clara.

In 1998, her parents stretched every dollar to be able to afford their family home here—a dream that is no longer in reach for so many. Watching them achieve that milestone taught her how stable housing and strong, welcoming neighborhoods form the bedrock of a thriving community. Today, she and her husband are proud to build their lives right here, deeply invested in Santa Clara’s future.

Proven Public Service & Executive Leadership

Yvonne brings a wealth of public policy, legislative, and management experience to the table.

Most recently, before taking a formal leave of absence to focus on her community campaign, she served as the Director of Intergovernmental Strategy for Congressman Ro Khanna, where she helped manage critical regional office operations, shaped legislative outreach, and navigated complex policy landscapes, especially as federal funding cuts and program rollbacks created new uncertainty for constituents, to deliver results for constituents and ensure members of our community were able to resolve their social services issues.