E'leva Hughes Gibson

Dr. E’leva Hughes Gibson is a native San Franciscan and an active citizen who is familiar with the unique experiences of youth and families in the Bay Area. She is committed to providing access to high-quality services, promoting equity, and advocating for social justice. Having first-hand experience growing up in the city, as well as currently raising her family in San Francisco, enables her to truly understand the opportunities and challenges facing families as they relate to health, education, safety, economic stability, and employment. A child of a Filipino immigrant, U.S. veteran and an African American schoolteacher, Dr. Gibson grew up knowing the importance of education and the perseverance needed to attain a healthy and productive life. Throughout her childhood, her family benefited from the assistance of several service providers, which helped to keep her and her family on track to positive outcomes (e.g., Head Start, public housing, faith-based organizations, the Omega Boys Club, Summer Bridge, Step Up to College). A product of the San Francisco Unified School District and Bay Area universities, Dr. Gibson returned to the city to serve as a teacher, an adjunct professor, a school site administrator, Mayor’s Principal of the Year in 2013, a supervisor, and now an Executive Director currently in SFUSD’s PreK-8 School Division. Working collaboratively with schools, colleges, local government agencies, and community-based organizations, Dr. Gibson has created programs, developed strategic plans, implemented initiatives, and addressed systemic issues. As an educational leader, she is dedicated to closing the achievement gap, providing educational opportunities for 21st century learning, and promoting teaching the “whole child.” As a productive citizen, she is committed to supporting the larger community, which she has served on the Children and Families Commission (First 5 San Francisco), Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families Oversight and Advisory Committee (OAC), and the San Francisco Childcare Planning and Advisory Council (CPAC) to monitor governance, advise on policies, and inform strategic plans. Coming full circle, she volunteers in organizations that focus on health, education, community service, leadership, and global impact. Dr. Gibson earned a doctorate of education and master’s degree from the University of San Francisco, an additional master’s degree and administrative services credential from the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University.