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.
Remaining members of the Capitola City Council will be tasked with deciding whether to hold a city-funded special election on the heels of November’s general election, or to make a direct appointment to fill out the remainder of Brooks’ term. Brooks, appointed mayor by her peers in December, was two years into her second four-year term on the City Council.
The council as it stands is made up of of relative newcomers, including newly elected former Planning Commissioner Gerry Jensen and nurse practitioner Melinda Orbach alongside Vice Mayor Joe Clarke and Alexander Pedersen, both two years into their first term. Brooks was the longest serving of her peers.
Yvette Brooks taking over as CEO of United Way of Santa Cruz County follows the announcement of Hajime Arnold as the organization’s board chair in August 2024.
“I am delighted to announce Yvette Brooks as the next Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Santa Cruz County,” Arnold said in a statement. “Her proven leadership abilities and deep roots in our community make her the ideal choice to lead our organization forward. We are confident that under her guidance, United Way will continue to strengthen its impact in Santa Cruz County, helping individuals and families thrive through our focus on education, health, and financial stability. The Board and I look forward to working closely with Yvette to serve our community’s evolving needs.”
