Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Equity to Mayor Edwin Lee

Hydra Mendoza is a strong advocate and supporter of public education. She is a product of public schools, a parent of two public school children, a former preschool teacher and an education advisor.

Hydra was the former Executive Director and a founding member of Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco, a national organization who engages parents and community members to support, promote, and improve public education.

Hydra was first appointed by Mayor Gavin Newsom to his Policy Council on Children, Youth and Families; and later to his staff as his Education Advisor. Hydra’s work allows her to build a strong partnership between the Public School System (Pre-K to 20) and the City. She continues to serve under Mayor Ed Lee as his Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Equity.

Hydra is the first and only Filipina elected to office in San Francisco. In 2006, 2010, and 2014, Hydra successfully won a city-wide bid and re-election for a seat on the San Francisco Unified School District Board of Education where she serves as the Vice President.

Hydra has been honored by many local, state, and national organizations including Pin@y Educational Partnerships, College Track, Mission Economic Development Agency, San Francisco State University, California Association for Bilingual Education, Filipina Woman’s Network - 100 Most Influential Filipinas, and Donor Network West.

She is a member of United Way Women Leadership Council, SPUR Board Member, and Advisory Board Member to Youth Speaks, College Track, and Old Skool Café. Hydra and her husband live in the Bayview community in San Francisco.