Who Is The New Director Of Sustainability In San Mateo County?

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors confirmed the appointment of a former county employee as the new director of sustainability Tuesday, who returns from doing a similar job in Santa Clara for several years.

Jasneet Waraich Sharma returns to San Mateo County where she worked as a senior community health planner and senior climate resiliency specialist from 2014 to 2019 when she left to lead sustainability efforts in Santa Clara County.

“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.

Sharma holds a master’s degree from the University of Michigan, where she studied urban planning, and a bachelor’s degree in architecture from India’s Changigarh College of Architecture.

"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,” said David Canepa, president of the Board of Supervisors.

Sharma said she will specifically focus on communities especially vulnerable to climate change in her new role, which officially starts May 12.

“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.

Sharma said she plans to do this by protecting natural resources and habitats, improving community health and promoting financial security and prosperity.

In her free time, Sharma has visited 29 national parks. She currently lives in Sunnyvale with her husband and two children .