Breaking barriers with Phoebe Shin Venkat

Breaking barriers, it’s what she does. 

Phoebe Shin Venkat became the first woman of color appointed to Foster City’s Planning Commission in 2022. Just two years later, she became the second-ever woman of color, the first Chinese and East Asian woman, and the first renter elected to the Foster City City Council. 

“Thanks to my mother, I learned how important it is to be curious, open-minded, and empathetic,” Phoebe explained, recalling how her single immigrant mother played a pivotal role in shaping her worldview. “Her first job in the U.S. was working in a factory alongside other new immigrants from around the world. She and her colleagues were strangers in a new land, so they quickly bonded at work, and during weekly potlucks, I got to spend time and absorb so many different cultures.” 

Since then, Phoebe has made it her life’s mission to build resilient and connected communities. 

“I’ve always had a passion to fight for those who have less, and those who are treated as lesser than. So it was no surprise to anyone who knew me when I jumped into local politics several years ago.”

Through the New American Leaders Ready to Lead AAPI Women training, Phoebe enhanced her already impressive arsenal of community engagement skills. Paired with the power of her own story, Phoebe launched her city council campaign in January 2024. For her, it was critical to start early so that she could focus on refining relationships with community stakeholders. She said, “In order to be an impactful advocate, I need to be authentically integrated with the people and organizations I have the honor of serving.”

Today, Phoebe continues to advocate for New Americans by fighting for equitable policies and processes that benefit the health and welfare of her broader community. 

“In many settings, I am the sole renter. The sole woman of color. The sole child of an immigrant. The sole LGBTQIA ally,” she said. “I contain multitudes, and refuse to play the zero-sum game in politics or anywhere else.”

To view Phoebe’s full collage, you can visit our Instagram post.