.png)
Provided by Zhen Tao
Currently serving her second term on the South Pasadena Finance Commission, Zhen Tao will seek the city-wide office of City Treasurer for South Pasadena in November’s general election.
Zhen has 20 years of experience in finance, primarily in investment and portfolio management, making her ideally suited for the City Treasurer’s primary role of overseeing the city’s investment portfolio. During her two terms on the Finance Commission, Zhen has gained institutional knowledge of the city’s finances and has solid experience working with the incumbent City Treasurer, City Council and city staff which will aid in her transition, if elected. Zhen will provide continuity and stability to the financial operations of the city while working closely with city council, staff, commissioners and residents.
Zhen currently serves on the South Pasadena Ad Hoc City Leased Recreational Facilities Committee to review leases to improve operations of the Arroyo Seco Golf Course, Arroyo Seco Racquet Club, All Star Batting Cages and San Pascual Stables. Zhen served on the South Pasadena Ad Hoc Committee for the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) Appeal.
Zhen is a Senior Partner at Third Square Capital Management where she oversees investment management, equity research and operations. Zhen is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.
Zhen currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Children’s Center at Caltech (CCC) and is a member of the CCC Finance Committee. Zhen is the mother of three boys and the spouse of South Pasadena Public Safety Commissioner, Jeremy Ding.
Zhen is a graduate of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a concentration in Finance and Information Systems.
“I am running for Treasurer because I want to continue the work I’ve done during my two terms on the Finance Commission. The primary duty of the City Treasurer is to oversee the city’s investment portfolio. With 20 years of experience in investment and portfolio management I am confident that as City Treasurer I can work together with all stakeholders to improve South Pasadena’s financial health and stability for the future,” said Tao.
“As a member of the city’s finance commission, Zhen has already been hard at work protecting South Pasadena’s finances. She has the drive, financial acumen, thoughtfulness and creative problem-solving skills our community needs in a city treasurer,” said Mayor Pro Tem Jon Primuth
“When Zhen was first appointed to the Finance Commission I watched and was impressed by the quality of the questions she asked. I have since come to appreciate her thorough approach to issues, her ability to work with Staff and the other Commissioners, and her financial and investment expertise. I believe the City of South Pasadena would be well served if she is elected as City Treasurer,” said retiring City Treasurer Gary Pia.
Please visit www.zhenfortreasurer.com for more information.
Zhen Tao has received the following endorsements*.
Elected/Appointed Officials and Organization/Community Leaders
Michael Cacciotti – Mayor, South Pasadena
Jon Primuth – Mayor Pro Tem, South Pasadena
Diana Mahmud – Councilmember, South Pasadena City Council
Jack Donovan – Councilmember, South Pasadena City Council
Robert “Bob” Joe – Former Mayor, South Pasadena
Harry Knapp – Former Mayor, South Pasadena
Zahir Robb – President, South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) Board of Education
Ruby Kalra – Trustee, South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) Board of Education
Karissa Adams – Trustee, South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) Board of Education
Kristine Kwong – Trustee, Pasadena City College (PCC) Board of Trustees & Chair, South Pasadena Community Services Commission
Mike Fong – Assemblymember, California State Assembly – 49th District
Janet Braun – Member & Former Chair, Planning Commission & Candidate for South Pasadena City Council
Karen Tamis – Candidate for Trustee, South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) Board of Education
Charles Trevino – Member, Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District Board of Directors
Ed Elsner – Chair, Finance Commission
Ed Donnelly – Chair, Public Safety Commission
Ellen Daigle – Former Chair, Public Safety Commission & Former Chair, Parks and Recreation Commission
Amin Al-Sarraf – Member & Former Chair, Public Safety Commission
Dean Serwin – President, Library Board of Trustees
Bianca Richards – Vice President, Library Board of Trustees
Lisa Padilla – Member, Planning Commission
Clarice Knapp – Former Chair, Cultural Heritage Commission (CHC)
Yuki Cutcheon – President, South Pasadena Chinese-American Club (SPCC)
Grace Kung – Member, South Pasadena Educational Foundation (SPEF) Board & Member, South Pasadena Chinese-American Club (SPCC) Board
Lisa Park Polansky – Member, South Pasadena Educational Foundation (SPEF) Board
Alex Kung – Former Member, South Pasadena Educational Foundation (SPEF) Board & Former Member, South Pasadena Chinese-American Club (SPCC) Board
T. Kurera – Co-President, Dads Uniting Dads in Education and Service (DUDES) & Member, South Pasadena Educational Foundation (SPEF) Board
Doug Yokomizo – Former President, South Pasadena Educational Foundation (SPEF) Board
Sally Kilby – Former Elected City Clerk, South Pasadena
Andrew Berk – Chairman, Board of Directors, South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce
Jason Mak – Member, Board of Directors, South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce
Sam Hernandez – Member, Board of Directors, South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce & President, South Pasadena Tournament of Roses (SPTOR) Association
Shelley Stephens – Member and Secretary of Executive Board, Women Involved in South Pasadena Political Activism (WISPPA) & Member, South Pasadena Arts Council (SPARC)
Betty Emirhanian – Member & Former President, Women Involved in South Pasadena Political Activism (WISPPA)
Liz Calvert – President, Woman’s Club of South Pasadena
Sherry Plotkin – Member, Executive Board, Woman’s Club of South Pasadena
David Plenn – Local Small Business Owner & Former Member, South Pasadena Educational Foundation (SPEF) Board
Janna Philpot – President, Board of Directors, Vecinos de South Pasadena
Steve Zikman – Co-President, South Pasadena High School (SPHS) Music Boosters
*Titles and affiliations are for identification purposes only and do not indicate endorsement by a group.
Community Members
Barbara Sato
Brett Barnard
Emily Porter
Erik Gammell
Gordon Suzuki
Jackie Ficht
Jon Turner
Kathryn Compton
Keith Tsang
Laura Kieffer
Pete Kutzer
Richard Eblaum
Scot Lam
Tom Polansky
Wendy Tanago
Please visit www.zhenfortreasurer.com for more information.
