Stepping Into Her Power
Welead OC's Stepping Into Her Power, is a platform to showcase our amazing Alum who are making a difference in their communities and beyond. This section will feature interviews, stories, and advice from our accomplished Alum, giving us the unique opportunity to learn from their experiences. Through Stepping Into Her Power, we hope to inspire and empower future leaders to make a positive impact in our communities.
Welead OC is committed to elevating the voices of our Alum and providing a platform to showcase their work and achievements. We are proud to feature our incredible Alum and the positive changes they are making.
Jessie Lopez
City Councilwoman, Santa Ana City Council
Welead OC Alum
Welead OC Alum & Santa Ana City Councilwoman, Ward 3, Jessie Lopez, a first-time candidate in a five-way race, was elected to the Santa Ana City Council in 2020.
Jessie was born and raised in Santa Ana to immigrant parents. She is an unapologetic product of the Santa Ana public school system and the first college graduate in her family, working two jobs to fund her education.
She was elected the old fashioned way --- unbridled by corporate and billionaire interests --- her campaign was grassroots motivated, fueled by volunteers who together with Jessie, engaged voters by knocking on doors and phone banking. Once elected, she brought with her and elevated the concerns of Santa Ana voters to the city council.
Jessie has made a significant impact on the Santa Ana community since her election as a champion for her community. During her tenure, she has worked to provide resources to support the city’s underserved communities, such as increasing access to affordable housing and increasing access to mental health services. She has also worked to improve public safety through initiatives like increasing police presence and creating a task force to address homelessness. She is a leader in advocating for social justice and has been a strong voice for immigrant rights.