CAPITOLA — Effective Jan. 13, Yvette Brooks will cede her role as the city’s mayor as she embarks on a new professional career.
The city’s first Latina mayor announced Friday that she had been hired as chief executive officer for the United Way of Santa Cruz County, filling a vacancy left by the departure of predecessor Keisha Browder, who left a month ago to helm the larger United Way Bay Area. Browder served as CEO in Santa Cruz since 2018 and worked for the agency since 2012.
“It has truly been an honor serving on the City Council for the past six years,” Brooks was quoted in a media announcement. “I ran on a platform of supporting our community, focusing on the well-being of all residents and the youth living here. Now, I have the opportunity to serve the entire County of Santa Cruz, embracing United Way’s mission to ignite our community to give, advocate, and volunteer so that our youth succeed in school and life, our residents are healthy, and our families are financially independent. While it is an extremely difficult decision to step down from the Council, I recognize the best way to continue to contribute to Capitola and this county I love, is to dedicate all of my time and efforts to the United Way role.”
Brooks added that Capitola would “forever be my home” and that she expected her work throughout the county had “just begun,” according to the statement.
