On Earth Day, Jasneet W. Sharma Appointed Director of Sustainability

Redwood City- The Board of Supervisors today confirmed the appointment of Jasneet Waraich Sharma on Earth Day to lead the County's efforts to combat climate change, reduce waste and build a sustainable future.

Sharma brings a wealth of experience to her new role as director of the Sustainability Department, where she will oversee about 40 employees and a $20 million annual budget.

Sharma's appointment is a homecoming: she worked for the County as a senior community health planner and senior climate resiliency specialist from 2014 until she left in 2019 to lead Santa Clara County's sustainability efforts.

"San Mateo County has been a leader in the area of sustainability, and I am eager to rejoin the place where I started my career and bring my vision, experience and passion back to the County to continue the work of building a sustainable future for all its residents,'' Sharma said.

David Canepa, president of the Board of Supervisors, said, "It's a great pleasure to welcome Jasneet back. She's very familiar with the County and our goals as she previously led initiatives to help us prepare for sea level rise and a changing climate.

"The County is committed to reducing our carbon footprint, adapting to climate change and addressing sea level rise, and I think Jasneet is the perfect fit for helping to achieve those goals," Canepa said.

Sharma earned a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Michigan and a bachelor's degree in architecture from Chandigarh College of Architecture in India.

In her new role, Sharma looks to engage public and private organizations, groups and community leaders across San Mateo County, with a special focus on vulnerable communities at heightened risk from climate change.

"Climate change is already impacting our communities, which elevates the importance of integrating resilience in public infrastructure projects, private development and community services so communities can adapt, grow and thrive from shocks and stresses," she said.

For Sharma, sustainability is "a holistic approach that integrates economic, environmental and social equity to meet the needs of current and future generations. It requires building resilience to the threats of climate change and natural disasters, protecting and enhancing natural resources and habitats, improving community health and local conditions, and promoting financial security and prosperity."

Away from work, Sharma enjoys visiting national parks: So far, along with her family, she has visited 29 out of 63 national parks. She also enjoys trail running and gardening.

She lives in Sunnyvale with her husband and two children, a son who will start college this year and a daughter who will start high school.

Sharma is expected to start her new role on May 12, 2025.

Media Contact

Michelle Durand
Chief Communications Officer
mdurand@smcgov.org