Council Member, East Palo Alto City

Ofelia Bello

Ofelia Bello

Executive Director, Pahali Community Land Trust

East Palo Alto, CA

I’m a 33-year-old Latina professional, proudly born and raised in East Palo Alto. As a first-generation college graduate with a master’s degree in Urban Affairs and Public Policy, I have dedicated the last 10 years to volunteering with local organizations, advocating for affordable housing, fighting for renters’ rights, promoting equitable community development, and working to create a safer, healthier community for all.

Professionally, I led a local, grassroots nonprofit organization focused on social, environmental, and racial justice for 6 years. Currently, I’m executive director of Pahali Community Land Trust. Additionally, I served 5 years on the East Palo Alto Planning Commission and was vice-chair, where I was a consistent, strong voice for equitable development that prioritizes our residents’ needs and respects our City’s vision. In 2022, voters elected me to the East Palo Alto Sanitary District, where I vocally advocated for transparent and efficient governance that prioritized our ratepayers.

I am committed to people-centered, community-driven and inclusive approaches to East Palo Alto’s challenges. I will prioritize East Palo Alto families and people and not what suits corporate or individual interests. The residents of EPA will always be at the forefront of my decisions. Thank you for considering me to faithfully serve our community’s interests.

Posts from Ofelia Bello

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  • Ofelia Bello

    I'm proud to be endorsed by Working Families Party as a testament to the fact that I will work for all people and all families, regardless of political ideology, to improve the material conditions that shape daily life for all people.

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Education

  • University of California, Santa Barbara logo
    University of California, Santa Barbara
    Goleta, California
    B.A. Sociology and double-minor in History and Sociocultural Linguistics
  • University of San Francisco logo
    University of San Francisco
    San Francisco, California
    M.A. Urban and Public Affairs

Endorsements

  • Working Families Party of California
    10/14/2026

    Working Families Party endorses Ofelia Bello for East Palo Alto City Council

  • SEIU 521
    10/14/2026

    SIEU 521, the labor union that represents the City of East Palo Alto staff, endorses Ofelia Bello for East Palo Alto City Council

  • San Mateo County Labor Council
    10/14/2026

    San Mateo County Labor Council endorses Ofelia Bello for East Palo Alto City Council

  • E. Okeefe Tenant Association
    10/14/2026

    East Palo Alto City Council

  • IBEW 617
    10/14/2026

    East Palo Alto City Council

  • North Coast Carpenter's Union
    10/14/2026

    East Palo Alto City Council

  • ET
    East Palo Alto Council of Tenants
    10/14/2026

    East Palo Alto City Council of Tenants endorses Ofelia Bello for East Palo Alto City Council

  • PD
    Peninsula DSA
    10/14/2026

    Peninsula DSA endorses Ofelia Bello for East Palo Alto City Council

  • Santa Clara County Green Party
    10/14/2026

    Santa Clara County Green Party endorses Ofelia Bello for East Palo Alto City Council

Contact

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