Candidates

My name is Jessica Steinbach and I am running for the North Park Planning Committee because I truly love our neighborhoods. I have lived in North Park for 7 years, first in an apartment near Trolley Barn Park and now as a home owner near the Georgia Street Bridge. My interest in running for this committee peaked when my partner and I took on the project of protecting the hill located between Georgia Street and Lincoln Ave from an application to vacate the public right of way. I also have a Master's in Public Health and take pride in caring for our community members. I care deeply for the residents of North Park and feel it is imperative that everyone has a chance for their concerns and desires to be heard. 

If elected, I will prioritize:

• Community-centered planning that balances growth with preservation.

• Safe, accessible transportation options for residents of all ages.

• Support for local businesses that strengthen neighborhood identity.

• Open communication, ensuring residents feel heard and informed.

Please consider voting for me to join this board! I would be honored to earn your support.

My name is Anthony and I am proud to submit my candidacy for the North Park Planning Committee. I was born and raised in San Diego, and for the past three years I have owned my home and lived in North Park with my wife, our cat, and our dog. This neighborhood is where we’ve chosen to put down roots and build our community.

I am a local business owner and actively invest in real estate throughout San Diego and California. Through this work, I regularly engage with planning, zoning, permitting, and development processes, and I’ve seen firsthand how thoughtful and well-coordinated planning can strengthen neighborhoods.

My professional background requires balancing diverse stakeholder interests, long-term vision, and practical constraints. I bring a pragmatic, solutions-oriented mindset, grounded in real-world experience, while always keeping community impact front and center.

I am deeply passionate about community development that enhances livability: preserving North Park’s unique character, supporting walkability and local businesses, and encouraging responsible growth that benefits both current residents and future generations. I value listening, collaboration, and transparency, and I would be honored to contribute my experience and perspective to the Planning Committee in service of North Park’s continued success.

I was born and raised in City Heights and Chula Vista, but I'm proud to have found my forever home in North Park. I love my neighborhood, and I'm passionate about being a good steward of this community that has shown me so much. I'm in it for the long haul, and now that I have a newborn daughter, I feel an urgent need to give back to our neighborhood and ensure its magic is sustained for generations to come. 

Fun fact: I have a tattoo of the water tower on my leg, and my husband and I regularly pick up trash and paint over graffiti at the park! We walk everywhere in NP and rarely leave the area - it's amazing.

North Park is the best neighborhood in San Diego, but we need to work hard to keep it that way. It's more important than ever for all the things that make NP great to be equitable and accessible, and to be built with an eye for urbanism, inclusivity, and our collective future. I want to serve those who live, work, and play in our community by ensuring that everyone feels safe and welcome here.

I’m running for the NPPC because North Park is where I call home, and I want to see it become even more vibrant for everyone.

Serving on the Board over the past two years, we’ve made real progress creating safer streets with better crossings. When streets feel safe, more people choose to walk, bike, or take transit for everyday trips. That shift reduces car dependency, eases parking pressure, and makes our neighborhood calmer and more peaceful.

North Park is mostly flat, dense, and full of local destinations. It’s perfectly suited for short trips without a car. By prioritizing people-first streets, we support local businesses, strengthen community, and give families, seniors, and kids the freedom to move around the neighborhood independently.

As Chair, I’ve focused on collaboration. We've brought neighbors, board members, City staff, and advocacy groups together to turn community priorities into tangible results. If re-elected, I’ll continue working to deliver improvements that reflect the values of our neighborhood.

I have been a North Park resident, first a renter, and then a home owner for over 40 years. I started my  life in San Diego with a bicycle, before a car, riding for fun as well as to and from work for over 20 years.  Now I am often seen walking my errands around North Park. 

After buying into the community I got involved. I have been involved with: NPMS and its community  events—Parade, Street Fair, advocating for the development of the Business Area; NPCA including that  Board, The Bird Park concert Series and other community efforts, and this Board, NPPC, as a Board  Member.  

An accident now prevents me from bicycling, so I walk the neighborhood to talk to neighbors and  complete errands. I understand the concerns and issues for pedestrians and bicyclists. My interest  continues to be a safe and prospering neighborhood where residents can walk, bicycle, and drive. 

 As I have watched events and changes in the community, one of my goals is still to have community groups and individuals come together and openly communicate to work on collective goals to keep the  North Park Community: safe, thriving, and thoughtfully growing.

My name is Molly Ryan, and I’ve been fortunate to live in North Park for the last two of my seven total years as a San Diego resident. I grew up in the suburbs of Houston, Texas and spent my teenage years in Los Angeles. As someone familiar with car-centered living, I fell in love with North Park for the same reasons you did: its walkability, charm, and thriving sense of community. 

I graduated from UC San Diego in 2023, where I studied environmental science, urban planning, and business through the lens of sustainable development. Early in my career, I assisted with conservation and climate resilience planning at the City of San Diego. Currently, I’m an environmental planner working with developers and local jurisdictions across San Diego County to ensure project compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). 

I intend to be a voice for all North Park residents. As a member of the NPPC, my priorities will be making it safe and easy to walk, bike, and take public transit; encouraging small businesses and desirable public spaces; and balancing the need for affordable and high-density housing with community character.

Thank you for trusting me with your vote.

Hi neighbors! I'm running for the North Park Planning Committee after attending meetings and seeing this committee's positive impact on our neighborhood. As a six-year North Park resident who walks these streets daily, I've witnessed incredible change and want to help shape more thoughtful development.

Professionally, I co-founded and run Inclusion Geeks, where I focus on strategy and operations. After over a decade of helping organizations navigate change, I completed strategic foresight training to better anticipate how today's decisions shape tomorrow. This experience means I think a lot about how our infrastructure, housing, and development decisions will impact North Park's livability five, ten, twenty years from now. I also serve on the board of She Should Run, a national nonprofit supporting women leaders. 

I geek out about inclusive processes that center community voices, especially those historically excluded from planning decisions. I'll bring collaborative problem-solving, long-term thinking, and deep neighborhood commitment to this role. North Park deserves thoughtful planning that honors our past while building an equitable, sustainable future and I’d be honored to be a part of this work.

I am a retired engineer and home builder. I own a home, ride an ebike on occasion and at times take the bus downtown. I have served on the Planning Committee for two years. Each month at our board meetings we get reports from our City Councilman's office and several other governmental bodies. We also get in depth presentations at our meetings from City staff. As such the board is very well informed as to issues that affect North Park. But we do not communicate effectively with the community, This situation can be improved. I also believe we can more effectively lobby the City to maintain and improve the public infrastructure in North Park, and lobby in other ways to improve the safety and quality of life for North Park residents. Thank you, please vote. 

My name is Steven, and I am running for the North Park Planning Committee to serve the neighborhood my family has called home for three generations. Living in the North Park house my grandparents originally owned, I have a deep respect for our community’s history and a personal stake in its future.

As a Software Engineer, I bring a data-driven, analytical approach to problem-solving. I understand the challenges of navigating city permits and the importance of clear, fair guidelines for land use and development.

I am eager to apply my background from UC Berkeley and my professional experience to advocate for smart density, safer streets, and infrastructure that supports our growing community. I believe in balancing progress with preservation to keep North Park vibrant and livable for everyone.

I would be honored to earn your vote.

My dream for North Park is to keep every member of our community safe at all times, whether driving, biking, or walking. I’m a renter and an engineer who has built an environmental, health, and safety program from the ground up. Protecting safety and the neighborhood feel we all value is paramount to keeping North Park thriving.

North Park has a vibrant future, and as our community changes, we must prioritize the things that protect us from rising costs. Long-term residents, homeowners, renters, and local businesses all define this neighborhood, and supporting them requires clear, steady priorities.

A major part of that work is transportation. Policies must be guided by system-level thinking to reduce disruptions, improve traffic flow, and keep people safe. Thoughtful planning is essential to maintaining safe, accessible streets for everyone. I look forward to continuing that work, especially by pushing for Leading Pedestrian Intervals across North Park to better protect people in our busiest areas.

I’m proud of the work I’ve already led as chair of the Urban Design and Project Review subcommittee, including elevating pocket parks in the capital plan and advancing efforts to improve the use of red-curb space under the state’s daylighting law.

I am a near-lifelong North Park resident and current North Park Planning Committee board member. I have worked to support the planning committee in a variety of ways during my term and currently serve as the vice-chair of the Public Facilities & Transportation subcommittee.

I believe that North Park is a great community that has the opportunity to become something even more special. Our public amenities should be upgraded. Our green spaces should be preserved and expanded. Crucially, our streets should be improved to benefit all modes of transportation. Walking, cycling, and public transit should be safe and viable ways to get around the neighborhood, giving people alternatives to driving. I believe this is what will benefit North Park the most moving into the future, and how we can serve the neighborhood’s current and future residents best.

I am proud of what I’ve done in my time on the board so far, and believe that I have learned a great deal. I am proud to have been able to represent the neighborhood that I’ve grown up in and would be honored to have your vote for another term.

I am a North Park resident at La Boheme, a father of young children, and a public affairs professional with more than 15 years of experience working alongside local government, labor, community organizations, and private-sector partners to help move practical solutions forward not just in San Diego, but across the country in my career. Most days you’ll find me with my daughters at Bird Park Playground near Morley Field (they’ve been North Park girls since day one) which keeps me closely connected to the everyday experience of families who live here.

Professionally, I’ve worked across public and community spaces preparing briefings, coordinating engagement, and helping translate neighborhood concerns into workable outcomes. I understand that planning committees serve an advisory role grounded in preparation, collaboration, and respect for public process and community.

I approach this work humbly and practically; listening first, asking clear questions, and contributing steady participation. As North Park continues to evolve, I hope to support thoughtful recommendations that keep our neighborhood livable, walkable, and grounded in the people who call it home.

My name is Steph, and I’ve called San Diego home for twelve years, five of those in North Park. I love our community and I want all of us to thrive.

As a Realtor and a renter, I see firsthand the critical need for affordable housing. I entered real estate because I was aware of its historic role in perpetuating inequity and gatekeeping within communities, and I saw an opportunity to foster positive change through social enterprise.

During the COVID-19 pandemic: I completed the Next Economy MBA, equipping myself with the knowledge of harnessing business for the public good. One of my business practices includes capping my personal earnings to then reinvest any surplus into resident‑owned housing.

Strong communities depend on equitable access to resources. With rising living costs, I’m committed to championing policies that prevent displacement and build community wealth. Initiatives such as community land trusts, food pantries, and gardens provide stability and keep resources within neighborhoods. As the saying goes: "Many hands make light work." I believe we need business owners, residents, and elected officials working together to meet our community’s pressing needs, and I aim to bring those hands together.

Thank you for your support.

Hi neighbors,

I'm Michael, and I've called North Park home since 2019. What drew me here and keeps me here is everything that makes this neighborhood special: the walkability, the local businesses, and the sense of community you can't find in most of San Diego.

I came to San Diego in 2013 for college, earning a dual degree in Electrical Engineering from USD. Today, I work as an AI research engineer focused on improving public services. I bring technical expertise to solving real problems for the federal government and I want my impact to feel more local.

As a long-term renter, I understand the pressures our community faces. I've spent my time in North Park being a part of it by supporting local businesses like Verbatim Books and Señor Mango's, participating in the MAKE Cafe CSA, and working with community organizations on mutual aid to help our neighbors in need.

On the Planning Committee, I'll use my analytical skills to carefully evaluate development proposals. My priorities are expanding affordable housing, improving bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and making sure development serves our community's needs instead of just developer profits.

Thank you for considering me.

Hello! My name is Meghan Traynor, and I’m running for the North Park Planning Committee. I moved to San Diego 4.5 years ago to study at UC San Diego, and this is my second year as a North Park resident. I am deeply familiar with the operations of local government, having previously worked for City Councilmember Kent Lee as a management intern, and currently working as a Local Government Analyst for the San Diego County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). At LAFCO, I’m authoring a study on the administration of homelessness services regionally and serve as a co-project manager on a municipal service review of SANDAG’s transportation, housing and climate adaptation functions. Coordinating and evaluating municipal services is my daily work, and I am eager to apply these skills as one of your Planning Committee representatives. I am passionate about securing tangible investments in public transit locally as well as creating pathways for the establishment of community land trusts and cooperatives. I hope to promote public education regarding land use, infrastructure and street safety issues and mobilize our community to take an active role in improving our quality of life. I look forward to working alongside you! 

Hi, I'm Matthew Kuehl (pronounced keel). The perspective I can bring to the North Park Planning Committee comes from my background in commercial real estate, specifically as a property manager and sales agent. That work has given me a detailed view of what commercial landowners and tenants deal with day to day, and what can be improved.  

That experience has shaped how I think about North Park's commercial corridors. Working directly with property owners and tenants, I've seen how even small exterior changes such as thoughtful façades and active storefronts can shift how a block feels and functions, driving foot traffic and benefiting landlords, businesses, and the community alike. At the city level, my recommendations would prioritize walkability over car access, specifically in our commercial corridors. I think it's important as a committee to actively share these ideas with local stakeholders, owners and tenants alike, and make the case that walkability is key to their shared success. If elected, I'm eager to learn from our neighbors and the incumbent board members. And if not, I will continue showing up and participating in the process. Thanks for your consideration.

Hello! I have lived in North Park (as a renter) since moving from Boston in 2023. 

My wife & I earn a combined income that likely prohibits us from ever owning property here. Regardless, we love this neighborhood & do not plan on leaving.

Despite my shorter residency than most candidates, I ask for your vote to help ensure that this exact demographic (i.e., new or long-time residents who love North Park, but feel priced out of ownership) is equitably represented by the NPPC board, and to ensure these residents know their voices/opinions/visions can carry as much weight as a homeowner or business owner.

About myself: 

• My old Boston neighborhood was a model of walkability, accessible public transportation, and community-building public spaces. I plan to passionately vouch for initiatives that move North Park in that direction.

• I work as a Marketing Strategist for an advertising agency, and volunteer as a youth basketball coach at the North Park rec center. 

• I studied Business Data Analytics & Marketing at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

• I am a proud cat dad of 2 (Brick & Tuna)

Thank you!

I am Barbara Hanson Forsyth, a San Diego native and a North Park resident since 2011. When my husband and I moved “back home” from Honolulu, we chose North Park instead of a more coastal neighborhood because we were drawn to its distinct character, charming craftsmen homes, and overall vibrancy.

15 years in, much of what attracted us to North Park in 2011 feels vulnerable to greed. Whether it’s sharply rising rents pushing out small business owners and pricing out artists, or the pernicious fear of ICE, or the ongoing need to make our streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists, I feel compelled to give back and be part of the solution. 

I have a proven track record of getting things done. In 2018, I directed the massive logistical challenge of moving Mingei’s entire 25k plus art collection offsite before their remodel. Afterwards, I secured a major Getty grant for Mingei’s 2024 exhibition Blue Gold: The Art and Science of Indigo, which I also guest co-curated. I am now teaching art and design at City College and proud to be part of my union. I pledge to champion North Park and ensure that it stays dynamic for decades to come.

Cities are made of people, not cars. After living in North Park for the past five years, there's nowhere I'd rather be. In an overwhelmingly car dependent city, our neighborhood is a haven for pedestrians and cyclists. My husband and I are grateful every day to live somewhere where we can walk to the grocery store, bike to ice cream, or hop on a bus downtown. Two recent planning projects that had a huge impact in improving our immediate area were the University Ave mobility project (which slowed traffic) and the Pershing    bike lanes. I'd love to push for more of these initiatives that focus on human centered infrastructure, increase safety, and promote the use of alternative transportation. Let's design North Park to be people first! 

I am a native San Diegan and North Park resident since 2013. My husband and I were fortunate to purchase our home in 2020. I consider myself both a working and stay at home mom. I am self-employed as a professional coach and non-profit strategy and operations consultant and am grateful to spend most of my days with my two young children. 

I also have a passion for hunger relief, and spent 11 years working for Feeding San Diego, ultimately as COO. In 2022, I cofounded North Park Moms to connect moms for social events, play dates, and providing a united voice for improving our neighborhood. This network of moms continues to deepen and reinforces my belief that our neighborhood is a great place to raise a family. 

I want to join the North Park Planning Committee to give voice to the families of North Park, especially those with young children. I love our neighborhood and I want to create a future where families thrive here instead of moving away when they have children. With this in mind, I’d bring to the committee a focus on safety, child friendly spaces, affordability, and cleanliness.