2nd District Supervisor
Kim De Serpa has dedicated over three decades to social work, focusing on public health, child welfare, and healthcare. After starting her career in public health and child welfare, she has spent the past two decades working in healthcare settings, including local hospitals in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. Notably, she managed Case Management at Salinas Valley Health Medical Center and helped establish a care management program alongside doctors at Dignity Health outpatient clinics. Kim also expanded hospice services for individuals at the end of life, working as Clinical Manager and later as Director of Community Engagement for Hospice of Santa Cruz County.
In addition to her healthcare work, Kim has been deeply involved in public education, serving as an elected trustee for the Pajaro Valley Unified School Board for 14 years and as a delegate to the California School Boards Association. She was honored as Woman of the Year in 2021 by the Watsonville Women's Day Coalition for her dedication to good governance.
Kim was born in Salinas, attended local public schools, and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Humboldt State University before pursuing a Masters in Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. She holds a social work license and two advanced certifications. Kim and her husband, Ned McNamara, reside in Aptos, where they’ve raised six adult children. Kim is also a foster parent and an animal lover who enjoys spending time at the beach with her dogs, Kaya, Cool Beans and Winnie. In 2024, she was elected to the Board of Supervisors, representing District 2.
About District 2
District 2 of Santa Cruz County encompasses a diverse and vibrant area, including portions of the cities of Watsonville & Capitola and several surrounding communities. The district covers neighborhoods such as Freedom, Amesti, Pajaro Dunes, Corralitos, Aptos Hills/Larkin Valley, La Selva Beach, Seascape, Rio Del Mar, Aptos and Seacliff.
The district is known for its combination of residential, commercial, and agricultural areas, as well as its natural beauty, including beaches, parks, and forests. Residents in District 2 face a range of issues, including housing affordability, transportation, environmental conservation, and maintaining a balance between development and the preservation of the region's rich natural resources.
District 2 also has a strong focus on community engagement, with many local organizations, schools, public safety and others playing a key role in helping to shape policy and advocating for the needs of the area. As the representative for District 2, Kim is focused on addressing these local concerns while promoting the well-being of the district’s populations.