Rebecca’s leadership journey began in East County San Diego, where her idyllic childhood was quickly
derailed by her parents’ divorce when she was just 11. The years that followed were marked by
instability, poverty, and trauma. Her mother cleaned houses to make ends meet, often with young
Rebecca by her side—literally helping scrub toilets.
“I felt like I was parenting myself,” she shared during an episode of the She CEO podcast. “I don’t want
any child to ever feel like that.”
Yet, through the pain came resilience. Supported by her grandfather and driven by a deep desire to
do more, Rebecca found an inner strength that would guide her through every season of her life—
from family responsibilities to civic leadership.
A Childhood Marked by Challenge
Before entering politics, Rebecca built
a successful career in new home sales
and entrepreneurship. She co-
founded a business with her husband
and found professional success, but it
was a proposed land-use change in
her neighborhood that would shift her
path forever. With a young daughter
at home and concern for her
community, she dove headfirst into
local issues—reading reports,
attending meetings, and making her
voice heard.
Soon, local leaders—one Democrat,
one Republican—urged her to run for
office, recognizing her intellect and
tenacity. Despite her doubts, she ran
for City Council and appointed in
2007 and elected in 2008. She would
go on to be re-elected several times
and serve as Vice Mayor before being
elected Mayor in 2018 and again in
2022.
“I didn’t think I could do it,” she
admits. “But here I am, 19 years later.
And I love it.”
From Business to
Civic Duty