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Kristen Petersen

City Councilmember, City of Capitola; Senior Associate, Government Relations at Silicon Valley Leadership Group

Kristen Petersen is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in partnering with community organizations, government agencies, and businesses to advance policy goals.

She excels in communicating policy agendas to the public through various methods such as town hall events, legislative meet-and-greets, presentations, and small group meetings with stakeholders.

Her expertise includes monitoring, analyzing public policy and legislation, providing recommendations for organizational action, personnel management, public-sector budgeting, strategic planning, and program evaluation.

Kristen has a background in planning and executing large professional conferences, delivering presentations to diverse audiences, and managing social and news media outreach for non-profit organizations.

She holds a Master's Degree from California State University-Northridge, a Bachelor of Arts from California State University-Monterey Bay, and an Associate's Degree from San Joaquin Delta College.

Currently, Kristen Petersen serves as a Senior Associate in Government Relations at Silicon Valley Leadership Group.

Her past roles include serving on the Community Services Policy Committee at the League of California Cities, being a City of Capitola Representative and Vice President of the Board at the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, as well as holding positions like Former Mayor and current City Councilmember at the City of Capitola.

She has also contributed her skills as a Public Sector Representative at the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, on the Legislative Action Day Planning Committee at the California Community Action Partnership Association, and as a 2019 Women's Conference Host Committee Member at the Young Elected Officials Network.

Kristen's dedication is evident in her involvement with various boards including the Capitola Public Safety and Community Service Foundation, Capitola Historical Museum, Opportunity to Read, and as a Board of Trustees-Treasurer.

Her career journey includes roles such as a Congressional Aide at the U.S. House of Representatives, an Election Official at the Santa Cruz County Elections Department, and a Statement Department Editor at Western Limited.