The Sierra Club is honored to present the 2025 Political Leadership Award to California Supervisor Paloma Aguirre, in recognition of her exceptional leadership and steadfast commitment to protecting the environment. Supervisor Aguirre has championed environmental justice and played a pivotal role in addressing the Tijuana River pollution crisis, earning her a reputation as a tireless advocate for communities and natural resources alike.
A first-generation Mexican American, Supervisor Aguirre is the first person in her family to graduate from college. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in marine biodiversity and conservation from the renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Her academic achievements laid the foundation for a career dedicated to conservation and public service.
In 2014, she was named Woman of the Year for her outstanding leadership in environmental conservation and her vital work restoring the Tijuana River Valley. In 2016, she was awarded the prestigious NOAA Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship in Washington, D.C., where she worked in the office of U.S. Senator Cory Booker.
As Mayor of Imperial Beach, Supervisor Aguirre has represented the City of Imperial Beach on the San Diego Community Power Board of Directors and served as an alternate on the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Board. She also served as Speaker Anthony Rendon’s San Diego Coast representative on the California Coastal Commission and as Governor Gavin Newsom’s appointee to the Good Neighbor Environmental Board.
In 2018, she made history as the first Latina elected to the Imperial Beach City Council and Mayor. Throughout her tenure, she has prioritized eliminating the sewage crisis, ensuring affordable housing, addressing and preventing homelessness, and preserving the city as a safe, family-friendly community.
Adding to her extraordinary record of public service, on July 1, 2025, Supervisor Aguirre was elected to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, representing District 1. She will be officially sworn in on July 22, 2025, a momentous occasion that marks the beginning of a new chapter in her dedication to environmental and community leadership.
Beyond her professional achievements, Mayor Aguirre finds joy in bodyboarding and cherishes time spent with her husband and her dog, Dasha.
With deep admiration and gratitude, the Sierra Club celebrates Supervisor Paloma Aguirre for her visionary leadership, her unwavering devotion to environmental stewardship, and her inspiring commitment to justice and equity for all.
Join us at the 2025 Political Leadership Awards and celebrate Paloma Aguirre and other environmental champions who are standing up for democracy and a sustainable future for our planet. Get your tickets here.
