Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Novato

Annan Paterson and her husband, Frederick L. Hansen, a special education teacher, are proud residents of Novato.

Annan, a school psychologist for the past 25 years, is a firm believer in building healthy communities. She works with teens in juvenile detention and special education students of all ages to help them build the tools they need to succeed. She is currently a full-time school psychologist in the Novato schools, and has been recognized by the Marin County Office of Education with a Golden Bell award for excellence in education.

Annan gives back to her community and is proud of her leadership in making Novato a great place to live and raise a family. Past chairperson of the City of Novato Multicultural Commission, Annan was instrumental in bringing the "Faces of Novato" banners to the downtown in 2000.

Together with retired police captain Reginald Lyles, Annan co-presented at several statewide conferences regarding hate crime prevention.

Annan is a co-founder of United for Safe Schools Novato and was on the planning committee for the "Every 15 Minutes" teen drunk driving prevention programs in 2000 and 2002. For her extraordinary leadership, Annan was awarded the Marin County Human Rights Commission's Martin Luther King Humanitarian award. She currently volunteers for the Novato Healthy Food Coalition, the school district's Solar Energy Task Force, and Measure A for schools.

A lifelong theatre lover, she has performed in, produced and directed community theatre for over 25 years. In addition, she produces and hosts a talk show on Novato Public Access Television. The show, "Courageous Conversations", highlights individuals who are making a difference in and around Novato.

Annan and Frederick have raised their son, Leland, in Novato, the city they love and cherish. He is a graduate of San Marin High School. Annan also helped raise her stepchildren, Carrie and Blake.

Annan has a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and a M.S. degree from California State University, Hayward.