Quick Take
Gabriela Trigueiro believes her inclusive nature and lived experience make her the best candidate for city council.
Editor’s note: Lookout editors wanted to give you a chance to hear from candidates directly. But we also did not want them to simply repeat their campaign slogans. So we asked them a single question: “How will you provide the sort of leadership our community needs and how are you prepared to meet the moment as it arises?”
We gave them 500 words to answer. We hope their answers will provide one more outlet of information as you decide who to vote for on March 5.
In navigating leadership, I have learned to view policies not as rigid decrees but as dynamic expressions of shared values. This perspective has been integral to my leadership style, particularly in understanding that providing the leadership our community needs often requires challenging normative practices.
Walking alongside youth in the pursuit of mentorship and community support, in my work with Big Brothers Big Sisters, I have witnessed the transformative power of meaningful relationships that transcend frameworks.
The pursuit of inclusion not only challenges normative practices, it pushes us to redefine and expand boundaries. In my role as a commissioner for the city’s Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women, I take the call for safe spaces as a personal value. It goes beyond the establishment of physical safety; it is about ensuring that our public spaces genuinely embrace everyone.
We also need to make a continual push for new responsiveness and evolving support for those who do not feel safe – at work, at the park, at school or at home.
Embracing community intricacies, I approach public service with an understanding that policies and decisions require navigating contradictions and competing interests. This is especially apparent in leading during unexpected challenges – disasters, crises, pandemic – when normal is absolutely not our compass. These challenges have taught me about the value of authenticity and trust in uncertain times – and during the pandemic, most impactfully, about the importance of adapting with and for preservation of the resilience of essential workers.
Leadership, I know, is not only about making decisions, but about understanding the profound impact those decisions have on the lives of those we serve. Providing leadership that our community needs requires a willingness to challenge the status quo, embrace the pursuit of inclusion and navigate the unexpected with resilience and compassion.
It is a commitment to shaping a community where the most vulnerable feel seen, heard, and valued — so we have a community where we all have a voice in building a future that reflects our shared values and aspirations. This commitment goes beyond the allocation of city services; it involves strategic investments with a culture and community of support that empower the next generation.
My mission to contribute positively to the community has shaped my life – I work to navigate the complexities of Santa Cruz with authenticity, compassion and a first-hand understanding of our shared struggles. This is not just my vision on how to represent or lead; it is how I plan to usher our collective work to shape a future where every resident thrives, with Santa Cruz as a vibrant, inclusive home for us all.
Gabriela Trigueiro’s campaign site is here.