Mayor Belén Bernal was born in Los Angeles, California and came to South Gate at the age 5. She is the youngest of three daughters and is a representation of her parents' exemplary values of integrity, a strong work ethic and service to others. 

Belén grew up in a humble and loving household with parents who immigrated to this country in the early 1970's from Jalisco, Mexico. Her father was a United Steelworker for over 20 years and her mother a Seamstress for many years. They continue to enjoy living in South Gate after choosing South Gate as their community over 30 years ago.

Belén is a product of our community. She attended Stanford and Montara Avenue Elementary schools, South Gate Middle School and graduated from South Gate High School in 1999.  After high school, Belén pursued Bachelor of Arts degrees in Sociology and Chicano Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where  she participated in Associated Student Government and interned with the Office of Relations with Schools. 

During her undergraduate years, Belén promoted cultural awareness, diversity, community service and early academic outreach to current and incoming high school students. She also participated in study abroad programs in Madrid, Spain and Querétaro, Mexico. When she participated in the University of California, Washington D.C. program (UCDC), Mayor Bernal interned with the Civil, Human and Women's Rights Department of the AFL-CIO and began to think about the impact elected officials have and how they help shape the quality of life in their communities. 

After working in the government and nonprofit sectors for over seven years, Mayor Bernal decided to strengthen her financial acumen and pursue a Master of Business Administration at California State University, Long Beach. Her interest to serve the community has led her to maintain director roles with organizations that serve youth, families and senior citizens outside of her capacity as an elected official.

Currently, Belén serves as Mayor of our City and together with her husband are proud residents of South Gate.  They are happy to raise their two children here and enjoy spending time with their parents who also live in South Gate and neighboring Lynwood. Mayor Bernal continues to credit her desire to serve our community to her parents’ exemplary values.

During her ten years in office, six years as City Treasurer and 4 years on the City Council, Belén has worked closely with all City departments to ensure that her priorities progress. 

Mayor Bernal has made public safety a priority by ensuring that our Police Department has the support and trianing it needs to provide quality service to our City. As part of public safety, Belén is a proponent of improving our sidewalks and having clean streets and community. That is why she has prioritized improving our parks and streets throughout the community. In addition, Mayor Bernal understands that our region and state are experiencing a homelessness growth, and has worked closely with County, Federal and local agencies to discuss ways that they can collaborate to help address this situation in our community.

During her time in office, Belén has worked closely with City and Finance staff to maintain a broad understanding of the financial management principles upheld by the City and to ensure that fiscally sound and responsible guidance are part of all decisions. She has a strong record of promoting transparency and holding our city governement accountable.

Lastly, as a member of the City Council, Mayor Bernal has promoted investments and improvemets along major corridors but also is an advocate of focusing on our small business districts in order to transform and improve the living and working experience in South Gate. She also values education and workforce development and supports the creation of local jobs and career development opportunities. She is excited about the new community college expansion that will better serve and prepare our commnity for the jobs of the future.