NEWS RELEASE: New Director of Administration, Policy, and Intergovernmental Relations Brings National, State, and Local Experience to Benefit Residents and Businesses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Carolina Camarena, Director of Communications 408-535-7777; Carolina.Camarena@sanjoseca.gov Photo of Emily Lam New Director of Administration, Policy, and Intergovernmental Relations Brings National, State, and Local Experience to Benefit Residents and Businesses Emily Lam's expertise will elevate San José's policy and legislative approach SAN JOSE, Calif. (July 18, 2025) - After a nationwide recruitment, City Manager Jennifer Maguire selected Emily Lam as the City's new Director of the City Manager's Office of Administration, Policy, and Intergovernmental Relations (API). Lam will assume the Director role on September 15, 2025. "Emily's ability to bring together political, business, labor, religious, and non-profit leaders around common policy goals will benefit San José," said Maguire. "She brings over 20 years of experience building coalitions and leading strategic initiatives that improve the health and well-being of communities. She is a collaborative leader focused on creating a nurturing environment in which all staff can grow and thrive." "Emily has experience that spans the Bay," said Mayor Matt Mahan. "Her deep policy expertise and relationships will strengthen San José's ability to deliver on our top priorities: building more housing, improving public safety, and making city government more responsive to our residents and small businesses. We're excited to welcome her to the team." Lam began her career in 1999 as an Analyst at The Lewin Group, a research and consulting firm, in Washington, D.C. She joined the San Mateo County Health Department in 2003 as a Management Analyst III, where she developed the first countywide health inequities reduction plan and operationalized performance-based budgeting and management. In 2005, she worked as an Operations Manager for Epocrates, a health care startup. In 2007, she served as the Vice President of Health Care and Federal Issues for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group where she spearheaded a national push for immigration reform and led a multi-year campaign that brought a regional U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to San José. She joined the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission in 2015 as the Director of Policy and Government Affairs, where she managed a team of seven and oversaw state and federal lobbyists. She served as a bridge builder between utilities, associations, environmental and environmental justice groups, legislators, and regulators at the local, state, and federal levels on critical issues, including water rights, infrastructure funding, and low-income ratepayer assistance. She also helped found a state trade association, CalCCA, for local government Community Choice Aggregation electricity providers. In 2021, she was promoted to Deputy Assistant General Manager for External Affairs, helping lead over 70 staff across the divisions of Policy and Government Affairs, Community Benefits, Communications, and Strategy, Planning and Innovation. "I am excited to join the City of San José and contribute to a community that has long been a national leader in innovation and inclusivity," said Lam. "Throughout my career, I've worked at the intersection of policy, people, and partnerships - and I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated staff, elected officials, and community stakeholders to advance policies that improve the quality of life for all who live and work here." Lam holds a Bachelor of Arts in Community Health from Brown University and a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University. The City Manager's Director of the Office of API is a key advisor to the City Manager. Administrative and policy duties include City Council and Committee agenda services, tracking of referrals, oversight of the design of complex, interdepartmental, or interjurisdictional policy and special initiatives, support of program evaluations, strategic planning efforts, and the strategic support for the City Council's and City Manager's focus areas. Intergovernmental Relations duties include tracking, monitoring and advocating for legislation at the federal, state, and local levels, and oversight of the state and federal lobbying contracts. Supporting this work is a staff of 19 full-time equivalent positions, 2 external lobbyists, and an annual operating budget of approximately $6.5 million. About the City of San José With almost 1 million residents, San José is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States and is Northern California's largest city and the 12th largest city in the nation. San José's transformation into a global innovation center has resulted in one of the largest concentrations of technology companies and expertise in the world. # # #