Elected in November 2024, Adena Ishii is the first Asian American and first woman of color to serve as Mayor of Berkeley. Her professional experience is rooted in her work as a non-profit consultant collaborating with organizations on staff engagement, organizational development, team building, and group facilitation.

Mayor Ishii grew up in Southern California and was actively involved in the Japanese American community through Nihon-buyō (traditional Japanese dancing). Her identity as a Japanese, Chinese, and Indian American allowed her to learn about Asian American history, which instilled in her a strong sense of justice.

Mayor Ishii later moved to Berkeley and began her studies at Berkeley City College (BCC), where she became involved in politics, advocating against budget cuts to education. She became the youngest and first woman of color to serve as President of the local League of Women Voters. Mayor Ishii transferred from BCC to UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and later graduated from Santa Clara University School of Law.

She lives with her husband, daughter, and three dogs in South Berkeley.

MEET THE MAYOR’S STAFF

Amelia Lopez-Helm (she/her)

Chief of Staff

Areas of Responsibility: Office Operations, Staff Management, Proclamations, General Policy, and Internship Program

Amelia's experience is rooted in project management, systems building, human centered organizational support, community relations, and policy analysis. She has worked across several different sectors and has extensive policy experience in Youth Development, Workforce Development and Programming, and Public Health. She enjoys spending her free time learning to garden, crafting with her toddler, and exploring family friendly locals in and around the Bay Area. Amelia attended Mills College in Oakland, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy, with a concentration in Youth Development (2011), and Master's in Public Policy (2012). Email Amelia

Julie Sinai (she/her)

Senior Policy Advisor

Areas of Responsibility: Housing & Homelessness, Sanctuary City, and Special Projects

Julie brings more than three decades of accomplishment in the nonprofit and public sector with a focus on equity and access to housing, education, jobs, and health care. Prior to joining our office, Julie served as the Chief Strategy Officer at LifeLong Medical Care. Julie served as both an appointed (2013-2014) and elected member of the Berkeley Unified School Board (2018-2022). From 2003 to 2011, Julie was the Policy Advisor and Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Berkeley. Her work in education includes leading the Berkeley Unified School District’s School-Linked Programs, local government relations at UC Berkeley, and managing a regional college and career pathways program with Peralta and Contra Costa Community College systems. Julie received her BS in Community Service and Public Affairs at the University of Oregon and her Masters in Public Administration at the University of San Francisco. Email Julie

Matt Nichols (he/him)

Senior Policy Advisor

Areas of Responsibility: Infrastructure

Bio Coming Soon!

Melissa Male (she/her)

Communications Director

Areas of Responsibility: Social Media, Website, Newsletter, and Media Relations

A dedicated public servant and advocate for positive social, economic, and environmental change, Melissa brings over 20 years of experience working in government and the nonprofit sector. She most recently served as Communications Director for former Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson. Melissa has also been very active in the local community, serving on the boards of several disability-focused Berkeley organizations. Born and raised in New York, Melissa is a graduate of UC Berkeley, where she received both her BA in Political Science and her law degree (JD). In her free time, Melissa can be found visiting museums, attending live theater and concerts, and enjoying the diverse culinary scene of the Bay Area. Email Melissa

Cydney Chilimidos

Senior Policy Analyst

Areas of Responsibility: Public Safety and Scheduling

Cydney grew up in Sacramento. They completed their undergraduate degree in Sociology of Law, Criminology, and Deviance at the University of Minnesota — Twin Cities in 2016, and graduated law school at Santa Clara University School of Law in 2022. Their focus in law school was disability rights advocacy, especially as it pertains to employment discrimination and investigations into mental health facilities. Email Cydney

Andrea Guadalupe Bernal (she/her)

Community Engagement Officer & Business Liaison

Areas of Responsibility: Constituent Services, Community Events, and Business & Economic Development

Andrea grew up on the Central Coast and is a first-generation Latina. She recently graduated from UC Berkeley and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Legal Studies. In her varied roles in tech marketing, events and court-watching, Andrea’s experience has heavily centered on community engagement initiatives driven by her skills in event coordination, project management, and management of various digital channels. Andrea values creativity and conceptual thinking in her individual and collaborative work. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, trying new food spots, and cycling. Email Andrea