Meet Lacey

Originally from a rural farming community in Minnesota, I moved to the Monterey Peninsula with my (now) husband, Paul, to attend Middlebury Institute of International Studies 20 years ago. I studied International Environmental Policy, focusing on environmental peacebuilding and conflict (think conflict over water resources or oil deposits). A highlight of my graduate experience was an opportunity to travel to the Middle East with Senator Bill Monning (Ret.) to explore conflict resolution and peacebuilding with students and practitioners from Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. Also, during these years, I worked with the City of Monterey's Traffic Engineering and Planning Departments, helping write one of the state’s first Climate Action Plans.

After finishing my degree, I married the love of my life, then left him for 10 months… to complete a Fulbright Research Project on local implementation of National Sustainable Development Strategies in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Despite extensive international experience and an anticipated future working in Washington, DC, or overseas, I realized that the real impact I wanted to make, and the most consistently effective place to make an impact, was locally.

Reunited with Paul, who serves as a police officer for the City of Monterey, we looked around and found a lovely home, and one that was, at the time, affordable, in Seaside. We have lived here for 15 years. I began my career in higher education serving as Sustainability Director at both UC Santa Cruz and CSU Monterey Bay. During my 12 years in higher education I worked on issues related to “town-gown” relationships, integrating sustainability into long-term planning and advancing equity. Before leaving CSUMB, I was proud to serve in the Office of Inclusive Excellence and Sustainability, one of the first in the country to meaningfully connect the issues of environment and equity.

I now work as Executive Director of the California Green Business Network (CAGBN). CAGBN is a nonprofit that provides resources and support to more than 40 locally managed programs throughout California. The nonprofit provides technical support and programmatic structure to support small businesses to lead in sustainability. Three of the other four members of my family (both parents and a brother) started their own small businesses - I have seen the challenge, the heart, and the pain that can come with starting and running a small business.

More important than these work accomplishments, and the greatest joy of my life, was starting our family. My daughter is 13 and my son 11. My family is my primary focus and serving my community makes me a better mom. I believe we can make a beautiful future for our children while providing the resources and meeting the needs of those in all of life’s stages.

Since settling in Seaside, I have been involved in the community in a variety of ways: serving as founding Chair of the Seaside Environmental Commission, regularly participating at Park Workdays, doing research and taking initiatives to expand parks and open space areas in the most densely populated areas of the city.

I am also in Threshold Choir, a local group that sing at the bedsides of those at the thresholds of life. I have been an advocate for education for my children and want all children to receive strong education and enriching activities both in school and in the community through arts and recreation and community programs.

I am running for City Council because I have a knowledge of policy, a proven passion for public service, and an ability to see innovative opportunities and fresh solutions to challenges. I am proud to be part of Seaside. We all have special skills and talents, and we should use them to make our community a better place. I look forward to doing just that!

Lacey Raak for Seaside

Meet Lacey

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