Walnut Creek Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Silva has been an active member of the League of California Cities for nearly 15 years. Since being elected Cal Cities President in September 2021, President Silva has shaped discussions that set Cal Cities' 2022 advocacy priorities, led delegations to the state and federal Capitols to advocate on behalf of cities, and urged lawmakers for funding to advance city priorities. Join us for the August installment of our Speaker Series where President Silva will discuss what it means to be a leader, drawing on her experiences serving on the Cal Cities Board of Directors and her years in local government and business. 

The discussion will include an introduction by League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman followed by a moderated Q&A  discussion.

Register now! Registration is offered at no charge as a benefit for Cal Cities members and League Partners. 

About the Speaker:

Cindy Silva has served on the Walnut Creek City Council since 2006 and has served three terms as mayor (2010-11, 2012-13, 2018-19). Prior to her election to the city council, Silva spent three years on the Walnut Creek Planning Commission, two years during which the city was updating and adopting General Plan 2025.

Silva has been an active member of the League of California Cities for more than a decade. She has been a member of the Cal Cities Board of Directors since 2015 and served as president of the East Bay Division in 2013. Silva has also served on a number of Cal Cities Policy Committees over the years, including Housing, Community and Economic Development; Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations; and Community Services. Silva has served on specialized Cal Cities task forces and working groups as well, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (2020); Governance (2020); Housing (2017, 2019); Homelessness (2016); and Strategic Initiatives (2012-13).

As mayor, Silva founded the now-annual Walnut Creek Community Service Day in 2011, which she still co-chairs. Over the years, Community Service Day amasses an average 1,200 volunteers annually, has cumulatively generated nearly 50,000 hours of volunteer service for public facilities and local non-profits, and collected nearly 80,000 pounds of food and $50,000 for the local food bank. Also as mayor, Silva spearheaded a Community Blue Ribbon Task Force on Fiscal Health and organized the city’s monthly Second Saturday Spotlight in 2013 and 2019. In her council member role, Silva has served on numerous council committees: Finance; Public Education; Housing and Community Development; Public Safety; Youth and Family Services; and several ad hoc committees including the city’s 2020-21 Economic Rebound Program and the North Downtown Specific Plan advisory committee (2016-2019).

Regionally, Silva represents Walnut Creek on the Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority and represents Contra Costa county on the East Bay Regional Communications System Authority. At the State level, Silva serves as a Governor-appointed member of the California Seismic Safety Commission.

A resident of Walnut Creek since 1984, Silva has been an active community volunteer for more than 30 years. Silva also has 40 years of business experience in marketing and communications in industries as diverse as telecommunications, biotech, and the non-profit sector. From 1980-2016, she owned her own consulting business.

About the Cal Cities Speaker Series

The Cal Cities Speaker Series features government leaders and policy experts sharing insights on big picture issues and trends that matter most to cities. Our speakers, like our cities, have diverse perspectives and Cal Cities is excited to provide meaningful dialogue that engages, enlightens, and inspires.

Registration must be completed by Aug. 8. This webinar is complimentary to Cal Cities members and League Partners. Nonmember cities and other government entities will be charged $150. Please note that registration is limited to 1,000 people.

For questions about webinar registration, please contact Megan Dunn. For all other questions, please contact Christina George.

Please see our event and meeting policies.