Governor Newsom appoints leaders to state agency counsel, college board, judicial commission

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a series of new appointments to key positions within California’s state agencies and boards.

Kristin M. García, currently based in Washington, D.C., will serve as General Counsel at the California Health and Human Services Agency. García brings experience from her recent role as Staff Counsel at the National Education Association and prior positions including Interim General Counsel at Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network and Deputy Administrator and Chief of Staff at the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor. Her previous work also includes roles with the California Labor Commissioner’s Office, Governor Newsom’s office, Altshuler Berzon LLP, a clerkship for Judge Stephen Reinhardt at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, The White House, Obama for America’s Ohio campaign, and community organizing in Boston. She holds both a Juris Doctor degree and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies from Harvard University. The General Counsel position does not require Senate confirmation; compensation is set at $227,280. García is affiliated with the Democratic Party.

Maria Blaze of San Jose has been appointed to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. Blaze is involved in several student leadership roles including Student Trustee for Foothill-De Anza Community College District and Legislative Affairs Director for Region IV of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges. She also serves as Youth Policy Director at SIREN Immigrant Rights and Civic Engagement Intern at Vietnamese American Roundtable. Her background includes research work with Child Mind Institute's Youth Mental Health Academy as well as involvement with organizations such as Northern California United Vietnamese Student Association, Women’s Foundation of California, and Presidents Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration. This board appointment does not require Senate confirmation; compensation is $100 per diem. Blaze identifies as a Democrat.

Leisa Biggers from Los Angeles has been named to the Commission on Judicial Performance. Biggers currently directs Human Resources at Los Angeles Community College District where she previously worked as a consultant; her career includes administrative management positions in Santa Clara County government, El Camino Community College District, Fifth Appellate District courts, and Fourth Appellate District human resources operations. She also serves on the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation. Biggers earned an MBA from California State University Fresno along with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science from University of Texas El Paso. The position carries no compensation nor requires Senate confirmation; she is registered without party preference.

No further details were provided about these appointments.