Libby Schaaf

Libby Schaaf (born August 12, 1965) is an American politician who served as the 47th Mayor of Oakland, California from 2015 to 2023. Before becoming mayor, Schaaf worked as a community development director and served on the Oakland City Council, where she championed neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing initiatives. As mayor, she navigated complex urban challenges including homelessness, income inequality, and police reform during a period of rapid demographic and economic change in the Bay Area. Schaaf became known for her pragmatic approach to governance, bringing together diverse stakeholders to address Oakland's most pressing issues. She was notably the first female mayor of Oakland and brought increased visibility to West Coast urban policy debates. Her tenure included efforts to boost economic development while protecting long-time residents from displacement. Schaaf's leadership in one of America's most diverse cities exemplifies contemporary progressive urban governance and the challenges facing mid-size American cities in the 21st century.