Mayor Vicki Veenker is running for re-election to the Palo Alto City Council. With four years of dedicated service on the Council, she brings proven leadership, local and regional experience, and a strong track record of results for the Palo Alto community.

Leadership & Experience

Palo Alto Experience

During her four years on the Palo Alto City Council, Vicki Veenker has demonstrated the experience needed to navigate complex challenges and achieve meaningful progress. Her council experience includes leadership roles across key policymaking and operational bodies:

• Council Leadership: Current Mayor (2026); Vice Mayor (2025), Council (2022-Present).
• Committee Leadership: Chaired the City Policy Committee and the Climate Committee.
• Committee Service: Served on the Finance Committee, Rail Committee, and various ad hoc committees.

Regional Leadership

Vicki represents Palo Alto's interests and amplifies the city's voice across major regional boards and commissions:

• Northern California Power Agency (NCPA)
  Member, Executive Board (representing Palo Alto as a Joint Powers Authority member)
• Bay Area Air Quality Management District
  Vice Chair of the Board (appointed by the Santa Clara County Cities Association)
• League of California Cities (Peninsula Division)
  Vice President of the Board (selected by mayors across San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties)
• Santa Clara County Recycling & Waste Reduction Commission
  Commission Member (appointed by the Santa Clara County Cities Association)
• US International Trade Commission Mediation Panel
• US District Court for the Northern District of California Mediation Panel

Professional & Personal Background

Before joining the City Council, Vicki Veenker compiled an extensive background in law, business, sports, and academia, and established a deep local commitment to Palo Alto:

• Legal Career: Former partner at an international law firm, where she led the Silicon Valley Intellectual Property practice group. Currently operates Veenker Law Offices and Veenker Dispute Resolution, providing professional mediation services.
• Sports Entrepreneurship: Co-founder of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS).
• Academia: Served as an adjunct professor of law at Santa Clara University and UC Law San Francisco.
  Education: Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Georgetown University; Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biochemistry and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science from Indiana University.
• Family: Vicki and her husband have lived in Palo Alto for 34 years and have raised their two daughters here.