Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson is committed to community well-being and works towards this in her professional, elected and volunteer roles. Shebreh was first elected to Santa Cruz City Council in November of 2020 and reelected for a four year term in March of 2024. Shebreh’s has focused her city council work on youth well-being, addressing the challenges around homelessness, increasing affordable and workforce housing, enhancing economic vitality, environmental stewardship, climate response, and improved transportation systems. As a pro-growth leader, Shebreh has worked on housing development in the community. Shebreh formed a council sub-committee dedicated to actively revising our local Housing Element to include forward thinking policies that promote all levels of housing. One of the key initiatives Shebreh championed includes the introduction of ministerial approval for housing projects, particularly those designated as 100% affordable. In her nearly four years of service on the City Council, Shebreh takes pride in my unwavering support for housing projects, consistently voting ‘yes’ on all proposals to advance our community’s housing needs. Shebreh’s philosophy on housing is that to uphold our community’s core values of equity, diversity, and well-being, we must embrace housing diversity at all affordability levels and types.

Shebreh has also focused on a vibrant and safe downtown. She has focused on policies and initiatives such as permanent outdoor dining, downtown ambassadors’ program, activation of alley-ways, and ensuring a vibrant and clean downtown for both locals and visitors. Shebreh has supported filling empty storefronts with high-opportunity industries and implementing administrative streamlining for first-time business owners. Currently, Shebreh is leading a policy effort to address negligent property owners that negatively impact safety and experience of community members and visitors.

Shebreh is also commitment to environmental sustainability. When coastal erosion occurred during the 2023 California storms, Shebreh worked with the city teams to restore coastal safety and develop a long-term coastal resiliency plan. Shebreh also serves on the public transportation board, the Metro, and served as Board chair in 2023. Shebreh has also been focusing improved bike safety including safe routes to schools.

Shebreh has demonstrated her commitment to the community and the community has responded with the relreection to her second term by attaining over 70% of the votes.

Shebreh received her B.A. in Psychology and French/Francophonie Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) and a Masters in Social Work from San Jose State University. She is a mother of two boys, is married and lives in Santa Cruz California. Shebreh is a native of Iran and has lived in Santa Cruz, CA for over 20 years.