Meet Councilmember Desrie Campbell
My Story
Councilmember Desrie Campbell, has served on the Fremont City Council since 2022 representing District 2. She grew up in Washington D.C and moved to California 1993 and Fremont in 1996; she quickly knew Fremont would be her forever home. Councilmember Campbell raised her four sons (now three) in Fremont. As her family grew, she now has three grandsons and two granddaughters, who are current students attending Fremont public schools.
Councilmember Campbell has been a public servant all her life, first serving in Washington D.C. by volunteering on various campaigns for local and district elections. She began her career serving as an executive assistant on Capitol Hill for a small Lobbying firm. After moving to California, she continued her public service by working with many community-based organizations including Fremont Education Foundation, ABODE Services, OneChild, Ohlone College Foundation, and Educators on Mission.
In 2012, Councilmember Campbell was elected to serve on the Fremont Unified School District Board of Education. She served for ten years and represented more than 35,000 students and their families. As a Trustee, she was a member of the California School Boards Association Delegate Assembly, where she received a Master’s in Governance.
Councilmember Campbell holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Public Administration. She has also served Fremont as a Human Relations Commissioner, and former chair of the Alameda County Commission on the Status of Women. After being elected to the Fremont City Council in 2022, she was appointed to serve on the League of California Cities Community Services Policy Committee where she advocates for reducing homelessness and increasing the supply of affordable housing while retaining local decision-making. In 2023 she was appointed to the League of California Cities Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations Committee where she advocated for issues related to transparency, technology (open data), healthcare, elections, and political reform. Additionally, the committee oversees pensions and workers compensation reform, as well as other labor-related issues.
Commitment and Leadership
Desrie Campbell believes leadership starts with listening and showing up for the community. Her commitment to Fremont is rooted in a simple goal: to make everyday life better for the people who call this city home. She leads with transparency and accountability, making sure residents feel heard, informed, and included in the decisions that shape their neighborhoods.
Her approach is hands-on and people-centered. Desrie works to build real connections—bringing together residents, community organizations, and regional partners to tackle challenges like mental health, housing, and public safety. She believes lasting progress comes from collaboration, compassion, and a willingness to meet people where they are.
At home, Desrie enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and reading—simple moments that keep her grounded and connected to the values she brings to her work every day.