Berkeley’s ‘Can-Do Mayor’: Adena Ishii Charts a Bold New Course for Local Leadership

Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii may be new to elected office, but she’s already making a name for herself as a bold, collaborative, and future-focused leader. In a recent interview on The Good Government Show podcast, Ishii—described by local media as The Can-Do Mayor—shared how her journey from student activist to mayor is shaping her approach to governance in one of California’s most dynamic cities.

“Good government, to me, is a government that’s responsive, transparent, and functional,” she told host Dave Martin. “It’s about accountability—and about actually listening to your community.” That mindset has driven her early efforts to re-establish Berkeley’s Sanctuary City status, launch police accountability reforms, and expand housing options through programs like the city’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) initiative.

A longtime advocate for democracy reform, Ishii previously served as the youngest and first woman of color to lead Berkeley’s League of Women Voters. She championed the use of ranked choice voting and emphasized that trust in elections is critical to civic engagement. “Your vote matters. And when you actually get involved, when you see the system up close, you realize how much it depends on ordinary people stepping up.”

As mayor, Ishii is intent on making civic participation more accessible to all Berkeley residents—whether that means using social media to reach new audiences, removing barriers for non-English speakers, or streamlining feedback systems at City Hall. “We have a highly engaged population, but we need to do better at hearing from people who aren’t usually at the table,” she said.

With deep roots in Berkeley as a student, activist, and community builder, Ishii sees her election not just as a personal milestone—but as an invitation to others. “I didn’t run to be the first. I ran because I knew we could do more. I hope my election inspires more young people and women of color to believe they belong in leadership too.”