Candidate for
Council Member; City of Modesto; District 5

Vice Mayor Kristin Olsen has a passion for the businesses, communities, and people of Modesto. Kristin was born at Memorial Hospital and graduated from Modesto High School in 1992.

After graduating magna cum laude with a degree in Communication Studies from Westmont College in 1996, Olsen moved to Sacramento where she worked as the press secretary and legislative aide for a senior member of the State Legislature. Olsen left the Legislature in 1999 to become the Senior Communications Manager for the California Restaurant Association (CRA). In late 2001, she and her husband Rod moved back to her hometown of Modesto where she continued to work for CRA from home until 2004.

Kristin was elected to the Modesto City Council in December 2005, on a platform of bringing higher standards to city government. As a Councilmember and Vice-Mayor, Kristin has fought tirelessly for public safety, businesses, and quality of life issues.

Kristin is a strong believer in public-private partnerships as a way of carrying out the city's broader vision and reinforcing community pride. By partnering with business leaders in Modesto's manufacturing industry, Kristin helped establish an economic capacity bank, which will help bring new businesses and jobs to Modesto.

Prior to her election, Olsen served on the City Planning Commission and on the Citizens Housing and Community Development Committee. As a Councilmember, she serves on the Finance and Safety & Communities Committees as well as on the City-County Liaison Committee.

Today, in addition to her position as a Councilmember, Olsen is the Assistant Vice President for Communications & Public Affairs at California State University, Stanislaus where she directs media relations, government relations, graphic design, Web design, publications, and photography.

In her spare time, Kristin enjoys gardening, singing, and playing piano. She has been an active member of Modesto Rotary and attends Big Valley Grace Community Church with her husband Rod and three children.