Councilmember Denise Menchaca was elected to the San Gabriel City Council in March 2017 and re-elected in November 2022. She enjoys the distinction of being the first Latina elected to the Council as well as serving as the first Latina Mayor from April 2020 to March 2021 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to being elected as Councilwoman, her public service included serving as a San Gabriel Unified School District Board member for eight years and as a Los Angeles County Commissioner for Older Adults. She continues to serve in a variety of capacities. Her service and civic associations include: the San Gabriel Kiwanis Club, La Casa de San Gabriel Community Center, the National Women’s Political Caucus of the San Gabriel Valley, and the Chinese American Citizens Alliance.
With a diverse resume, Denise has a proven track record of leadership and Community involvement. She was named the Congressional Woman of Distinction for San Gabriel by Congresswoman Judy Chu, National Latina of the Year by the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, and received the Golden Apple award by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA