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San Mateo County began the year with a peaceful transfer of power on Jan. 6, as Supervisor Noelia Corzo was sworn in Tuesday as president of the Board of Supervisors.
As the first indigenous and Latina woman to serve as board president, Corzo intends to prioritize “shared prosperity” and equity, among other goals.
“We have more billionaires in the Bay Area and in our county than anywhere else,” the 35-year-old supervisor said on the dais. “We all deserve to share in the benefits of the prosperity that exists in our community.”
The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Corzo as president and Supervisor Ray Mueller as vice president, following the board’s system that rotates leadership roles annually by supervisorial district. The board oversees a $5.5 billion annual budget that affects residents from Daly City to East Palo Alto, the Pacific Coast to San Francisco Bay.
Corzo shed a few tears following a ceremony conducted by the Native and Indigenous People Initiative in the chambers at around 10 a.m. Tuesday, calling the moment “meaningful” as a descendant of Mayan ancestry. She then shared the “untold stories of the matriarchs in her family,” who she said have continually inspired her, including through her proudest accomplishment: independently raising her son after becoming a parent at age 20.
Her now 14-year-old son, Mikey Alvarado-Corzo, stood by as the District 2 supervisor took the oath of office beside her mother, Aura Solorzano, and her father, Hugo Corzo. Her partner, Justin Terry, a Marine Corps veteran, read it aloud.
Corzo intends to focus on issues such as establishing a human rights commission and increasing LGBTQIA+ representation in the county. She said she wants to expand data transparency and trust, and boost fiscal stability. Additionally, she said she wanted to support local working-class families, some of whom must pay over 30% of their income “just to have a roof over their heads,” or pay “exorbitant amounts of money” for food and child care.
“That should not be the norm in the United States, that should not be the norm in California, that should not be the norm in San Mateo County,” the District 2 supervisor said.
In gratitude for former Board President David Canepa’s tenure, Corzo gave him a bouquet on behalf of the board and said, “I think men deserve flowers as well.” She was later handed a bouquet and showered with hugs and applause following the transition.
“I can confidently say now that I have more than earned my keep in this role,” Corzo said. “While we can’t solve every issue, it is both our honor and our responsibility to listen, to care and to help as much as possible.”
The system for board leadership appointments was updated in 2023, County Attorney John Nibbelin said at the board’s Tuesday meeting. Before 2023, continuing and re-elected board members were prioritized on the rotation list ahead of newly elected and appointed members. Starting in 2024, the system was simplified to correspond with district rotations.
Corzo served as the board vice president in 2025, so it was her turn to be appointed president in 2026. Per this system, Supervisor Ray Mueller was promoted to board vice president for the year and is expected to serve as president next. Supervisor Jackie Speier is next in line for vice president in 2027.
“I am deeply committed to serving every single one of our neighbors whether you share my beliefs or not, whether we look the same or not, whether we speak the same languages or not,” Corzo concluded. “We represent all of you.”
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