Form Name:
Unique ID:
Boards and Commissions Applicat ion
145210576 4
Applicant Information
Name
Are you a Sunnyvale resident?
How long have you lived in
Sunnyvale?
Annie Zhang
Yes
14 --4/16/26
---01: __ _
ey: _ _ M_H _
Annie Zhang
Description Area Residence Notice:Unless otherwise noted , your principal place of residence must be in Sunnyvale . You must live in Sunnyvale at the time of appo intment and at all times during serv ice on a board or comm ission.
Current Main Residence
Email
Phone
Description Area Employment NoticeCity of Sunnyvale emp loyees may not serve on a board or comm ission.
I am a current City of Sunnyvale No
employee.
Have you ever served on a City of No
Sunnyvale board or commission?
Have you attended a meeting of No
the City Council, or a board or
commission?
Have you attended meetings of No
the board(s) or commission(s) for
which you are applying?
Board or Commission Selection
First Choice Sustainability Commis sion
Applicant Qualifications
What motivated you to apply for
this board or commission?
For as long as I can remember, my experience of the world has been shaped by the climate crisis. My family moved to Sunnyvale in the middle of the 2007-2009 drought, which was soon followed by the drought of 2011-2017 - at the time, it was the driest period in California's recorded history. During this period, the City of Sunnyvale continuously shared resources on easy and achievable ways to save water, which were clear and accessible even to my elementary-schooler self. These community engagement
campaigns left an early impression of the importance of local, community-level environmental initiatives: even in a time of stress and uncertainty for much of California, the city's campaigns empowered me to take action and helped me feel hopeful that I could make a
difference.
Nearly ten years later, we are still living in uncertain times: even as devastating and unpredictable weather events become more common across the United States, the federal government is publicly backtracking on the climate goals that are key to achieving a stable and prosperous future. I believe that local-level changes and community engagement with sustainability are more important than ever. Sunnyvale's commitment to sustainability is a commitment to the public good and to the health and welfare of everyone who calls our city home. I am applying for the City of Sunnyvale's Board of Sustainability because I also care deeply about building a resilient, engaged, and thriving community, and I hope to apply my skills and experiences towards the future of the city I love.
Annie Zhang
What skills or attributes can you
bring to this board or
commission?
As the former President and Publicity Chair of Wellesley College's student-run organic farm, I am highly proficient in facilitating discussion and community engagement. This experience allows me to directly support the Commission's duty to act as a bridge between the City and the public, ensuring that diverse community voices are heard.
With my past experiences in policy and energy efficiency research, I am a skilled researcher committed to accuracy, rigor, and attention to detail. This technical foundation allows me to quickly build a strong understanding of the many complex topics discussed by the Commission, enabling me to provide a
data-driven and deeply informed perspective on key issues.
Finally, my background in product management has strengthened my strategic thinking and planning capabilities. I'm confident in my ability to collaborate with fellow Sustainability Commissioners and engage with stakeholders from across the Sunnyvale
community, in order to contribute to impactful and future-forward policy plans for our city.
The primary role of a board or
commission member is to provide
advice to City Council on policy
issues that are within the scope
of the board or commission. What
steps would you take to
effectively exercise this specific
board or commission role?
As a young professional dedicated to building a meaningful live in Sunnyvale, I am deeply invested in the future of our community. I hope to effectively exercise the Sustainability Commissioner role to both support those who have been long-time Sunnyvale residents while also engaging those who are new to our
community. These steps include:
- Extensively researching policy issues and learning from City employees, community members, and stakeholders in order to provide well-considered and educated advice on policy issues. - Identifying opportunities for community engagement and support strategies like public webinars and social media outreach to keep Sunnyvale residents informed on key issues.
Education – List college degrees,
majors and any relevant training
or experience that demonstrates
your ability to effectively serve
on this board or commission.
I graduated from Wellesley College with a Bachelor's in Economics and Environmental Studies, where I focused extensively on effective policy approaches to sustainable development and climate goals. My advanced coursework in Environmental
Economics, Public Economics, and Econometrics has equipped me to assist the City in tracking and understanding sustainability metrics, directly contributing to the Climate Action Playbook's progress.
Annie Zhang
Describe your involvement in
community activities, volunteer
and civic organizations.
I have extensive volunteer experience with Grassroots Ecology, where I have participated in habitat restoration and community outreach work at sites across Silicon Valley and the Peninsula.
Description Area The City has a Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials and an Attendance Policy (7.2.19), 2 G (II) that appointed members are required to follow.
Do you have any concerns related
to the above code and policy?
No
Are you willing to accept a
temporary appointment for the
remainder of an unexpired term?
Yes
Board or Commission-Specific Questions
Sustainability Commission
Category One: I’m a Sunnyvale
resident.
Yes
Category Two: I’m a Sunnyvale
business community member.
No
Sustainability is a new and
emerging concern in many
communities. What do you think
are the primary sustainability
policy issues this commission will
be addressing over the next few
years?
I believe that many of the sustainability policy challenges faced by communities today are dealing with the complex intersection of sustainability and cost. While some community members might want to improve their home energy efficiency, but are unable to afford zero-emission upgrades, others may perceive
environmental policies as creating unnecessary costs to residents or businesses. This commission will play an important role in bridging these community concerns with the city's priorities, especially through highlighting ways that the city of Sunnyvale can support sustainability and affordability through targeted and community-focused policy.
Description Area View the Climate Action Playbook
Have you read the above version
of the Climate Action Playbook?
No
Your Agreement
Annie Zhang
Description Area IMPORTANT NOTICE – READ BEFORE SIGNING:By selecting both “Yes” and “Submit Form” below I am adding my digital signature to this application. I am also agreeing with the following statements:All statements I have made on this application are true and correct.I authorize the City of Sunnyvale (City) to investigate the accuracy of this information.I release the City from all claims and liabilities arising from such investigation.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application will be grounds for the City to deny my appointment. A false statement discovered later, will be grounds to dismiss me from my appointment at any time.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application could lead to criminal charges. Charges could fall under California Penal Code, Section 115 or other applicable law.
I agree Yes
Your full name Annie Zhang
Date Apr 16, 2026
Annie Zhang