Kiyomi Kowalski

Service Background: U.S. Marine Corps

Kiyomi became an active duty Marine in 1997 and achieved the rank of Corporal. After her honorable discharge in 2001, Kiyomi attended the California State University of Northridge, where she earned a Bachelor’s in political science. In 2012, she earned a Juris Doctorate with Public Service Distinction from Southwestern Law School. Kiyomi serves as the community coordinator in her faith community on the Board of Jewish Education at Valley Outreach Synagogue. She is also a board member of LAW Project of Los Angeles, a non-profit organization she helped to found during law school. LAW Project seeks to help individuals obtain post-conviction remedies, as well as advocate for system-involved families and youth.  Kiyomi is an active member of the San Fernando Valley chapter of Mocha Moms, Inc., a national organization, where she helps organize events and meetings about issues that impact mothers of color. Kiyomi proudly attended Answering The Call and Foundations through New Politics Academy. She is also an Emerge California alumnae, an organization that prepares Democratic women to run for office. Kiyomi was the sole challenger against three incumbents for a position on the Las Virgenes School Board in 2018 earning approximately 20 percent of the vote. While her bid was unsuccessful, Kiyomi stays actively involved in her local schools on the PTA, Curriculum Council and assisting with school bond efforts. Kiyomi lives with her two children, ages 5 and 13, and partner of 10 years in the suburbs of Los Angeles.