Meet Olga Diaz

“I have a natural instinct to advocate for people who are overwhelmed by bureaucracy and inefficient government. I have a reputation for being direct, bold, brave, and independent. I have been honored to represent you for three terms.”Olga Diaz

Olga Diaz is an experienced public servant, a trailblazer in North San Diego County, and an advocate for the environment, housing affordability, mental health services, education, government transparency, fiscal prudence, social justice and community engagement.

Olga worked hard. First in her family to attend college, Olga received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Santa Clara University and Master of Public Administration from San Diego State University and her Doctorate of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California. She has worked in public accounting, data analysis and research, higher education and owned a small business for ten years. She worked at Palomar Community College as the Director of Student Success & Equity for many years. Olga served as the Vice Chancellor of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Student Affairs at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. She continued her advocacy for diversity, equity, inclusion and access to higher education as the Associate Executive Director for Inclusion, Outreach & Strategic Initiatives at the California Lawyers Association.

Olga understands the needs of a diverse community. She has championed environmental and social justice issues with an academic approach that impressed even those who disagreed with her. She was instrumental in building support for urban renewal projects such as the Escondido Creek Trail restoration. She embraced Escondido’s diverse needs and proudly served as your voice in City government.

Olga is experienced. Olga is the first Latina ever elected to the Escondido City Council, where she represented residents for twelve years. In her role as City Councilwoman, she served on the Escondido Creek Watershed Alliance, the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority, and as representative for the City of Escondido at the League of California Cities. She continues to serve on the Board of Directors for the Voice of San Diego, a non-profit investigative journalism outlet, the Board of Directors for The Escondido Creek Conservancy and on the Community Advisory Council for San Diego Gas & Electric. Previously, she was an alternate to San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox on the California Coastal Commission and served on the CSU San Marcos President’s Advisory Committee as well as the San Diego Union Tribune Latino Advisory Board. Olga is a founding member of the Route 78 Rotary Club and a past member of the Escondido Sunrise Rotary Club.

Olga has been recognized for her service. She earned the Latino Champions Civic Leader Award in 2014 from the Union Tribune, the San Diego County Democratic Party Legislator of the Year Award in 2014, the Route 78 Rotary “Sol” Award in 2014) and the San Diego State University Emerging Leader Award in 2019.

Olga is a life-long California resident, homeowner, mother, wife of a retired Escondido police Lieutenant. She moved to Wisconsin in 2021 but maintains a home in Escondido and visits her family frequently.

Click here for high resolution photos on Flickr!.

“I first ran for office because I felt disappointed by our local elected officials and their poor understanding of community needs. I felt compelled to push back on hurtful and divisive policies, speak for the voiceless, and defend hard working families.”

– Olga Diaz