MEET THE MAYOR
Elected in November 2024, Adena Ishii is the first Asian American and the first woman of color to serve as Mayor of Berkeley. She grew up in Southern California and was actively involved in the Asian American community. As a Japanese American whose family was incarcerated during WWII, she values ensuring that every voice is heard, questioning the status quo, and advocating for justice and equity. Mayor Ishii moved to Berkeley, attended Berkeley City College, and later transferred to the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. She went on to earn a Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law.
Mayor Ishii brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience rooted in community organizing, civic engagement, and organizational development. In her professional career, she worked as a consultant to several local nonprofits, helping them with strategic planning, culture building, and facilitation. This work aligns closely with her role as Mayor, where she facilitates difficult conversations and council meetings. Her leadership and expertise in these areas allow her to work across differences and bring a sense of camaraderie to City Hall.
As Mayor, she is leading efforts on homelessness and housing both locally and regionally, serving as chair of the Alameda County Mayors’ Conference working group on homelessness. She convenes the Sanctuary City Task Force monthly and led the passage of an ordinance reaffirming Berkeley’s position as a Sanctuary City. She is excited to continue her work improving the everyday lives of Berkeleyans and carrying forward Berkeley’s legacy of showing the nation what progressive policy can achieve.
She lives in beautiful South Berkeley, with her family and three dogs.
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).
Julie Sinai (she/her)
Chief of Policy
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.
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.
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.
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.