Yan Zhao

Yan Zhao was first elected to the Saratoga City Council in 2018 and served as Mayor in 2021 and 2024. Prior to her council position, Yan served on the Saratoga Madronia Cemetery District Board of Trustees for four years, including a term as Chair in 2018. Additionally, she spent eight years on the Saratoga Planning Commission, one of which she served as Chair.

Yan holds a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley, as well as a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Santa Clara University. With over 23 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, Yan has worked in various roles, including Analog IC design engineering, technical marketing, business development, and sales.

Since moving to Saratoga in 1998 with her husband, Tri Hong, and their three children, Yan has been deeply involved in the community. All three of her children attended Saratoga public schools. Yan has volunteered extensively, serving as a Board Member and Treasurer of the Saratoga Elementary PTA, Student Art Chair for the Saratoga Rotary Art Show, and a volunteer Referee for the American Youth Soccer Organization. She has also volunteered for the Saratoga Historical Foundation, the annual Fourth of July Celebration, and Hakone Garden's Lunar New Year celebration.

Yan's commitment to community extends beyond Saratoga. She has served nine years on the Commission on the Status of Women in the County of Santa Clara. Yan is also a member of the League of Women Voters and the Saratoga Rotary.

In her free time, Yan enjoys running, hiking, playing basketball, and playing bridge.

City Council Assignments - 2026

Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) General Assembly – Alternate Cities Association of Santa Clara County Board of Directors – Alternate Cities Association of Santa Clara County, Legislative Action Committee – Alternate Santa Clara Valley Water Commission Valley Transportation Authority Policy Advisory Committee West Valley Sanitation District Board of Directors Saratoga Ministerial Association – Alternate Silicon Valley Regional Interoperability Authority (SVRIA) League of Cities Revenue and Taxation Policy Advisory Committee