Candidate for
Council Member; City of Elk Grove; Council District 4

NANCY CHAIRES BIOGRAPHY

Nancy was born and raised in California and is the youngest of three children. Although her family experienced difficult economic times, Nancy considers herself fortunate to have been raised by parents who provided a great deal of love and encouragement.

Nancy became the first person in her family to graduate from college, and went on to earn a Masters of Public Policy degree from Harvard University. In January 2008, Nancy became the youngest person and the first woman appointed to the Elk Grove Planning Commission.

While serving as a Planning Commissioner, she has become knowledgeable about development and quality of life issues in the city, and has helped to shape the city's recovery from the economic recession of 2007.

The values that Nancy learned from her parents, such as hard work and service to others, continue to guide the decisions that she makes. Nancy's mother and father were only able to attend one and three years of primary schooling, respectively, in their native Mexico before having to work to support their families. Her father worked as a migrant farm worker, picking a variety of crops across California. He taught himself English by reading newspapers every day. Her mother learned to read and write by sharing in the phonics lessons Nancy received in first grade. Those early years when Nancy routinely translated between her mother and teachers, phone companies, doctors, etc. instilled in Nancy a passion for building bridges and helping to facilitate communication.

The Chaires home was also one where the children were encouraged to remain informed about and debate public affairs. As a result, Nancy was likely one of few children who ran home from elementary school to eagerly watch the Oliver North trial. Her interest in public policy grew as she became more aware of the ways in which government can affect our opportunities and influence our quality of life.

Despite her family's humble roots, they believed in the power of education to change lives. So, there was never a question that Nancy would attend college. After earning a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Spanish from Whittier College, Nancy was selected for a prestigious California Senate Fellowship. She worked on education and public safety issues in the State Senate for three years before earning a Master of Public Policy degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

As she crossed the stage in Harvard Yard to receive her degree, Nancy remembered the one-room adobe home in which her mother grew up, and the fact that her father worked selling newspapers in a big city before he was old enough to understand the value of coins. Nancy is grateful for and humbled by the sacrifices that enabled her to have the opportunities she has enjoyed. After Harvard, Nancy married her then-fiancé, Pablo, and settled permanently in Elk Grove.

Nancy has experience at the local, state, and federal levels of government, as well as in the nonprofit and private sectors. As a Senior Consultant for the Assembly Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review, she investigated state and local government agencies to ensure that they did the work they were required to do, that they used public funds appropriately and that they operated in a transparent and accountable manner. In the private sector, Nancy provided management consulting to large and small public agencies, helping them to operate more efficiently and effectively.

Nancy is currently on a special assignment with the California Department of Education, to improve the effectiveness and oversight of the Migrant Education Program. This federal program addresses the gaps in schooling experienced by the children of migrant farm workers, or children who are themselves migrant farm workers, as Nancy's father was.

Nancy enjoys being active in her community. She is a member of the Community Advisory Team at Franklin High School and a Lector at St. Joseph's Church. Nancy is Vice President of the board of directors of Sacramento CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates), an organization that advocates for children in foster care. She recently completed three years as a member of the board of directors of California Women Lead's Sacramento Chapter.

Family is Nancy's foundation. Without the love and support of her husband Pablo and son Adrian, neither this campaign nor any of her other adventures would be possible. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys practicing yoga, reading, doing home improvement projects and playing with her dog.