Jenny Tan
Director of Public Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, City of Davis
2026
Jenny Tan has more than 13 years of experience in communications, public affairs and organizational leadership across city, county, state, and special district government. As Director of Public Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations for the City of Davis, she leads strategic communications, intergovernmental relations, community engagement, and organizational initiatives while working across nearly every City department. Her broad experience has given her a unique understanding of how local government functions as an interconnected organization and how strong partnerships, thoughtful communication and strategic leadership can help solve complex community challenges. Jenny believes government is at its best when it builds trust, strengthens relationships, and creates opportunities that improve the quality of life for everyone.
Throughout her career, Jenny has led communications and engagement efforts for some of the region’s most significant initiatives, including the COVID-19 pandemic response, the 2020 Census, the City of Davis’ 2050 General Plan, homelessness initiatives, legislative affairs, website accessibility, and numerous emergency responses. She enjoys translating complex issues into information that is transparent, understandable, and meaningful while helping residents better understand the work their government does every day.
One of Jenny’s greatest passions is bringing people together to strengthen communities. She leads the award-winning Hate-Free Together initiative (HFT), a first-of-its-kind regional collaboration among the City of Davis, UC Davis, Yolo County, Davis Joint Unified School District and the Yolo County Office of Education. The initiative works to condemn hate, foster belonging and create meaningful opportunities for community connection. HFT secured a $300,000 California Creative Corps grant to expand the initiative’s impact and Jenny oversaw its communications and public engagement efforts. Jenny also coordinates the Executive Committee and is leading implementation of its three-year strategic plan. She believes lasting change happens when organizations work together around shared goals and create spaces where every member of the community feels valued, respected, and heard.
Jenny is known for her collaborative leadership style, integrity, and ability to connect people across organizations. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Yolo Community Foundation and the Nominating Committee for the American Leadership Forum – Mountain Valley Chapter. Her work has been recognized locally, statewide and nationally, including being named Woman of the Year by former Senator Bill Dodd, two Top 40 Under 40 awards from the Sacramento Business Journal and the National Association of Asian Pacifics in Politics and Public Affairs, and multiple local awards for her dedication to excellence and community impact. Above all, Jenny is passionate about public service and believes government has a unique opportunity—and responsibility—to bring people together, solve meaningful problems, and help communities thrive.
The catalytic power of this Summit in bringing together those who are devoting their lives to pushing back and working to confront, understand and work towards solutions around hate in our society is a noble and difficult task. The Summit not only energized those who attended but led to connecting the dots in a global network of those doing this work. The stories of the victims of hate were painful to witness but their courage in coming forward was inspirational. Those who attended left energized with the hope that by working together solutions can be forged.
