About Dana

I’m a mom and lifelong San Mateo resident who grew up in the Fiesta Gardens neighborhood and is proud to be raising my family in the city that I love.

My connection to civic life began early. My first visit to San Mateo City Hall was as a child after winning the Keep San Mateo Beautiful art contest about recycling, where she met Jane Baker, San Mateo’s first woman mayor. Growing up, I watched my father, Gary Yates, advocate for the community and later serve seven years on the San Mateo City Council. Those experiences shaped my belief that local government works best when residents are informed, engaged and invited to help shape outcomes.

That belief has guided my career and community involvement. As a teenager, I helped open San Mateo’s first teen center, the Fishbowl, in downtown. I later worked at multiple levels of government, but found my greatest professional fulfillment as an award-winning reporter for the San Mateo Daily Journal, where I covered City Hall, public safety and small businesses — helping residents understand what was happening in their city and why it mattered.

I later managed Millbrae Community Television, a nonprofit media center dedicated to covering local issues and community events, continuing my commitment to transparency and public access to information.

Today, my most cherished role is being a mom to two daughters. My husband and I chose to raise our family in San Mateo because of its diversity, strong neighborhoods and sense of community. During the COVID-19 shutdown, I served as board president of San Mateo Parents’ Nursery School, navigating school closures and avoiding educator layoffs. That experience led me to the Fiesta Gardens International School PTA, where I now serve as president, advocating for families during periods of major transition.

I love San Mateo and believe residents deserve clear information, honest leadership and a meaningful voice in decisions that shape their city. My goal is simple: to make sure people know what’s happening at City Hall — and have a real opportunity to be part of the process.

Fun facts:

• I broke the baseball steroids scandal in 2003 while working at the San Mateo Daily Journal
• I met my husband, Raj, while playing  San Mateo recreational softball at Chanteloup Field. Now we're there every week for the girls.