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Welcoming Jackie Speier to First 5 San Mateo County

First 5 San Mateo County is honored to welcome Jackie Speier as our newest commissioner! A lifelong public servant and fearless advocate for families, Jackie brings decades of leadership and dedication to improving the lives of children and families in our community.

Currently representing District 1 on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, Jackie has made it her mission to address the high cost of living, eliminate child poverty, and expand access to universal child care. Her commitment to early childhood issues is rooted in more than 40 years of public service at the local, state, and federal levels.

Jackie’s legislative legacy is extensive, spanning critical issues like child abuse prevention, financial privacy, suicide prevention, and sexual assault protections. Her advocacy has directly benefited children and families through efforts in pediatric cancer research, child safety laws, and funding for breast cancer research. Recognized nationally for her fearless leadership, she has been named one of Newsweek’s 150 Most Fearless Women in the World and one of Politico’s 50 Most Influential Members of the U.S. House.

A mother, grandmother, best-selling author, and champion for equity, Jackie’s passion for serving children and families aligns powerfully with First 5’s mission. We are thrilled to have her vision and leadership guiding our work.

Please join us in welcoming Jackie Speier to the First 5 San Mateo County Commission!

Headshot of Kitty Lopez

Kitty Lopez has served as the Executive Director of First 5 San Mateo County since 2013, focusing on strategic investing, community leadership, policy and advocacy development for young children, 0-5, and their families.

Kitty has served as Co-Chair of the Advisory Body for Build Up for San Mateo County Children’s Initiative, with Board of Supervisor, Dave Pine, since 2018.  Congressman Kevin Mullin is Honorary Co-Chair.  This initiative was established to preserve, grow, and increase the number of early care sites in San Mateo County.  

Kitty previously served as the Executive Director of Samaritan House, one of San Mateo County’s leading Core Service Agencies and safety-net nonprofits serving low-income families and individuals with food, shelter, clothing, health care, counseling, education classes, and holiday assistance from 2002 to 2013. 

Kitty taught kindergarten, second grade, and high school in southern California and San Francisco and was a consultant in schools with children who have autism and special needs. Additionally, Kitty worked in a residential substance abuse treatment center in San Francisco and psychiatric hospital for children and youth in San Diego.  Kitty’s roots in supporting children began as a 16-year-old volunteer at the Braille Institute in Los Angeles where she taught swimming to children and adults with visual impairments.

She attended University of California Santa Barbara earning a California Teaching Credential and B.A in Psychology. Kitty is active in her community serving as Vice Chair of the San Mateo County Event Center, and Past President and Current Member of the San Mateo Rotary Club.  She is currently serving as Past President of the First 5 Association of California. On March 2022, Assembly Speaker pro Tem Kevin Mullin selected Kitty Lopez as the 2022 Assembly District 22 Woman of the Year.