Council Member, East Palo Alto City

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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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.
Education
- University of California, Santa BarbaraGoleta, CaliforniaB.A. Sociology and double-minor in History and Sociocultural Linguistics
- University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CaliforniaM.A. Urban and Public Affairs
Endorsements
- Working Families Party of California10/14/2026
Working Families Party endorses Ofelia Bello for East Palo Alto City Council
- SEIU 52110/14/2026
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 Council10/14/2026
San Mateo County Labor Council endorses Ofelia Bello for East Palo Alto City Council
- E. Okeefe Tenant Association10/14/2026
East Palo Alto City Council
- IBEW 61710/14/2026
East Palo Alto City Council
- North Coast Carpenter's Union10/14/2026
East Palo Alto City Council
ET East Palo Alto Council of Tenants10/14/2026East Palo Alto City Council of Tenants endorses Ofelia Bello for East Palo Alto City Council
PD Peninsula DSA10/14/2026Peninsula DSA endorses Ofelia Bello for East Palo Alto City Council
- Santa Clara County Green Party10/14/2026
Santa Clara County Green Party endorses Ofelia Bello for East Palo Alto City Council