About Maggie

Hermosa Beach is the community that shaped my values, my vision, and my entire life’s work.

Many of you know me and my record of experience and success at making a real impact for Hermosa through the School District for the past 13 years - but I wanted to take a moment to talk about why I want to keep doing this work -serving our neighbors- in Hermosa through the City Council .

A little about me: 

I was born and raised on 30th Street. Hermosa isn't where I live - it's who I am. I was that surf kid at the pier with $10 for a burrito. That AYSO kid who went on to play college soccer. That 23-year-old on Friday Pier Ave happy hours trying to pay rent. I've seen every season of life here - growing up, renting and being single, raising kids, watching my mom not retire - and I want a Hermosa that makes all of it possible.

I'm an attorney and policymaker by training, but my passion is coalition building: finding people with an idea, giving it a voice, and putting systems behind it so it stays in the conversation. That started in the Peace Corps in Morocco, led me to teach in South LA, coach soccer internationally, and spend the last ten years in nonprofit community development.

We can't take Hermosa  for granted - it's not luck that we get to live in a place like this. The oil fight started in 1932, not 2013. South Park's inclusive playground, Noble Park, the Greenbelt - all happened because people decided to make a difference. Either/Or, Sharkez, Hermosa Beach Brewing, Granny's,  Boccatos- neighbors who saw the possibility and built it. The city council doesn't create that spirit. Our job is to elevate it.

My Why: 

My youngest turned five this year. I keep asking: what does his 45 look like? Is there a Hermosa for him?

My Record

In 2013, our schools had 80-year-old facilities, no music, limited art, and Spanish in one grade. By 2026: Measure S and Measure HV - $87 million invested. Two campuses rebuilt, a third opened. Preschool, TK, waiting lists. A three-year strategic plan tied to budget and leadership evaluation. Music fully back. We reopened first in the country during the pandemic - safely, with teacher and labor buy-in. We were first in the world in e-bike education. And when nearly every district in the county laid off teachers this spring, Hermosa didn't lay off a single one - because we planned early. 

For me, leadership is all about relationships. I’ve spent my career building bridges from Los Angeles to Sacramento to Washington, D.C. to bring real results back to Hermosa. Those connections have already brought matching construction funds, critical grants for school counselors, and statewide recognition to our local schools.

Now, I’m ready to use those same skills, relationships, and deep love for our town to serve you on the city council.

My Professional Foundation:

• Public Servant: Returned Peace Corps volunteer, former classroom teacher, youth soccer coach, community volunteer and advocate, and elected trustee   

• Executive Leader: 20+ year career as a non-profit administrator driving large-scale, public-private strategies with regional, statewide and national nonprofits

• Legal and Policy Expert : graduate degrees in Law (Loyola Law School), Public Policy (University of Chicago), and Education (Loyola Marymount University), former Adjunct Professor and legal advocate at LMU