Diane Burgis

Environmental Champion, Community Advocate & Three-Term Contra Costa County Supervisor

"I chose to raise my family here because I wanted them to grow up in a place that had good schools, where I could afford a home that they could be proud of, and where we would feel safe."

Official County Bio: contracosta.ca.gov/6449

Portrait-oriented professional headshot of Diane Burgis smiling, wearing glasses and a gray patterned blazer, against a neutral studio background.
10 Years as Supervisor
3 Terms as Supervisor
222K–243K District 3 Residents
30+ Committee Assignments

Early Life & Context

Diane Burgis's journey from small business owner and environmental advocate to regional leader reflects deep roots in the community she serves and a lifetime commitment to making East Contra Costa County a better place for families.

County Snapshot (Official)

District: Diane Burgis serves Contra Costa County’s 3rd Supervisorial District, including Antioch, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Byron, Discovery Bay, Knightsen, and Oakley.

Elections: Elected in 2016; re-elected in 2020 and 2024.

Key roles: Serves on 30+ committees, including chairing the Economic Development Committee, Illegal Dumping Ad Hoc Committee, and Legislation Committee. County materials also list her leadership on shoreline resilience work (the Resilient Shoreline Committee page lists her as Vice Chair). As Chair of California’s Delta Protection Commission, she also serves on the State’s Delta Stewardship Council.

Stated priorities: Protecting and enhancing the Delta ecosystem and water quality; public safety (fire protection and law enforcement coverage); homelessness and housing affordability; mental health response; bringing more services to East County; and growing the local economy to bring jobs closer to home.

View the official county biography

Diane has called Contra Costa County home for most of her life, raising three sons in Oakley—a choice that reflects her genuine understanding of what working families need: good schools, affordable housing, and safe neighborhoods. As a proud grandmother of two, her connection to East County spans generations, informing her advocacy for communities often overlooked in regional resource allocation.

Before entering public service, Diane built practical experience as a small business owner, operating a mobile fleet services company for over a decade. This entrepreneurial background gave her firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing local businesses and working families—perspectives she would carry into every leadership role.

For more than 21 years, Diane has been actively involved in raising money and awareness for Tuberous Sclerosis, serving as Chairperson for the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance of Northern California. This decades-long health advocacy commitment demonstrates her dedication to causes beyond her official duties—a pattern of persistent, patient service that would define her political career.

A Decade of Watershed Protection

Diane spent ten years as Executive Director of Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed, leading community service events, habitat restoration projects, and water quality monitoring efforts. This role transformed her from a concerned community member into a recognized environmental leader, earning her the 2011 Watershed Champion Award and laying the foundation for her transition to elected office.

Leadership Journey

From grassroots environmental activist to Chair of California's Delta Protection Commission, Diane's path demonstrates how community organizing can evolve into transformative regional leadership.

1

Environmental Awakening

Witnessing the environmental challenges facing East County's waterways and open spaces sparked Diane's commitment to conservation. She channeled this passion into ten years of nonprofit leadership with Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed, learning how to build coalitions and create change from the ground up.

2

First Electoral Victory

In 2012, Diane won election to the Oakley City Council, her first step into public office. She quickly demonstrated her collaborative leadership style, serving on regional committees including the Delta Protection Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments.

3

Regional Park Leadership

Elected in 2014 to the East Bay Regional Park District Board, Diane oversaw the largest regional park district in the nation—120,000+ acres, $205 million budget, and services for 2.6 million people. This role expanded her environmental expertise to regional scale.

4

County Supervisor

In 2016, Diane won election to the Board of Supervisors. Now in her third term, she has served as Board Chair, leads California’s Delta Protection Commission, and champions East County communities at the county and state levels.

Career Timeline

Nearly two decades of progressive leadership—from nonprofit executive to state-level environmental policy maker—demonstrating Diane's evolution from community advocate to regional champion.

2000s
Movement

Executive Director, Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed

For a decade, Diane led this nonprofit organization promoting preservation and protection of Marsh Creek through community service events, habitat restoration projects, and water quality monitoring. This grassroots environmental work established her as a respected conservation leader and earned recognition from the Contra Costa County Watershed Forum.

2010/11
Recognition

Watershed Champion Award (2010/2011)

The Contra Costa County Watershed Forum presented Diane with its Watershed Champion Award (2010/2011), honoring leadership and partnership-building in protecting, restoring, or enhancing local creeks and watersheds.

2012
Position

Elected to Oakley City Council

Diane won her first elected office, representing the city of Oakley on its City Council. During her tenure, she served on the Delta Protection Commission, the Executive Board for East Bay League of Cities, and the Regional Planning Committee for the Association of Bay Area Governments, expanding her regional policy experience.

2012
Recognition

California Assembly District 15 Woman of the Year

Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan named Diane the District 15 Woman of the Year for her work on behalf of the environment and community. She attended the ceremony alongside Lily Ledbetter at the California State Assembly, receiving state-level recognition for her local environmental leadership.

2014
Position

Elected to East Bay Regional Park District Board

Diane won election as Ward 7 Director, overseeing the largest regional park district in the United States—120,000+ acres across Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, a $205 million budget, and services for 2.6 million people. This role expanded her environmental expertise to manage complex regional resources.

2016
Position

Elected Contra Costa County Supervisor, District 3

Diane won election to represent District 3 communities in East Contra Costa County, including Antioch, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Byron, Discovery Bay, Knightsen, and Oakley. She entered office with a collaborative, community-grounded approach shaped by years of environmental and civic leadership.

2021
Position

Chair, Contra Costa Board of Supervisors

Diane served as Chair of the Board during one of the most challenging periods in county history—navigating COVID-19 pandemic response while maintaining focus on economic recovery and community support. Her leadership demonstrated resilience through both public crisis and personal tragedy.

2023
Position

Chair, California Delta Protection Commission

Diane assumed leadership of this critical state commission responsible for protecting the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta—California’s vital water source and unique ecosystem. As Delta Protection Commission Chair, she also serves on the Delta Stewardship Council, bringing local watershed advocacy into statewide Delta policy leadership.

2024
Innovation

$1.5 Million Sea Level Rise Adaptation Grant

As Vice Chair of the Resilient Shoreline Committee, Diane helped advance the County’s work to secure $1,499,285 from the California Ocean Protection Council’s SB 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program for development of the Contra Costa Resilient Shoreline Plan.

2025
Position

Vice-Chair, Board of Supervisors & Third Term

Re-elected to her third term in 2024, Diane now serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Supervisors, continuing her leadership on Delta protection, climate adaptation, public safety, and bringing essential services to East County's underserved communities.

Sep 2025
Innovation

Fire Station 94 Groundbreaking

Contra Costa County Fire broke ground on the new Fire Station 94 in downtown Brentwood—an 8,137 square-foot, two-story fire station located at 739 First Street—supporting the return of fire protection and emergency medical services to the downtown core.

Jan 2026
Position

Board Chair, Contra Costa County

Diane was sworn in as Chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors at the annual reorganization meeting on January 14, 2026. In this role, she leads the five-member Board overseeing a $7.16 billion budget serving 1.2 million county residents. Her priorities as Chair include strengthening emergency preparedness and public safety, expanding access to mental health services, and ensuring county government remains responsive, equitable, and accountable to all residents.

Stories of Impact

Behind the positions and awards are specific moments where Diane's leadership created lasting change—from tackling environmental crime to building coalitions for climate resilience.

2018-2022

Fighting Illegal Dumping in East County

East Contra Costa County's rural roads and open spaces had become dumping grounds for commercial waste. Diane saw this not just as an eyesore, but as an environmental justice issue affecting communities and waterways.

In 2018, she hosted a public forum bringing together stakeholders—residents, law enforcement, environmental agencies, and business owners—to address the crisis. But public attention wasn't enough; the fines were too low to deter commercial dumpers.

Diane worked with Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan on AB 2374, a Contra Costa County-sponsored bill introduced in February 2022 that strengthened penalties for illegal dumping of commercial quantities and expanded enforcement tools. AB 2374 was approved and chaptered in 2022 (Chapter 784, Statutes of 2022).

As Chair of the Board's Illegal Dumping Ad Hoc Committee, she continues leading the fight—demonstrating how persistent advocacy can transform from community complaint to state law to environmental protection.

Impact & Legacy

AB 2374 increased potential fines for commercial-quantity dumping and added additional accountability tools—helping local agencies better deter repeat offenders while protecting neighborhoods and waterways.

2023-2024

Building Climate Resilience for Coastal Communities

Sea level rise modeling showed that Contra Costa County’s shoreline communities faced serious long-term flood risk—but the county lacked a comprehensive adaptation strategy. In May 2023, the Board established the Contra Costa Resilient Shoreline Ad Hoc Committee, with Supervisor John Gioia appointed Chair and Supervisor Diane Burgis appointed Vice Chair.

Rather than simply convening meetings, the committee pursued concrete resources. In June 2024, Contra Costa County received $1,499,285 from the California Ocean Protection Council’s SB 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program to develop the Contra Costa Resilient Shoreline Plan.

The grant enables comprehensive sea level rise modeling and adaptation planning, making Contra Costa a leader among Bay Area counties in preparing for climate change impacts. For Delta communities that Diane has championed throughout her career, this planning represents protection of both ecosystem and way of life.

Impact & Legacy

Contra Costa County is now recognized as a local leader in sea level rise adaptation. The $1.5 million investment will create planning frameworks that protect communities and guide development for decades—a long-term vision translated into immediate action.

Major Achievements

Across environmental protection, public safety, housing, and economic development, Diane's leadership has delivered measurable improvements for East Contra Costa County's residents.

🌊

Delta & Environmental Stewardship

As Chair of California’s Delta Protection Commission, Diane serves on the Delta Stewardship Council—helping shape statewide efforts to protect and enhance the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, a critical ecosystem and water supply hub for California.

🏠

Homelessness & Housing Response

Under Diane's leadership, the county increased shelter beds by 30%, expanding capacity during the pandemic-era homelessness crisis. She has been a consistent advocate for bringing affordable housing options to East County while balancing growth with infrastructure needs, and helped finalize the county's housing element for state approval in 2023.

🚒

Public Safety & Fire Protection Excellence

Diane has championed improved fire protection and emergency response for East County’s rapidly growing communities. In September 2025, Contra Costa County Fire broke ground on Fire Station 94—an 8,137 square-foot, two-story fire station at 739 First Street in Brentwood—supporting the return of fire protection and emergency medical services to downtown Brentwood.

💼

Economic Development Leadership

As Chair of the Economic Development Committee, Diane has prioritized "bringing jobs closer to home" for East County residents who face long commutes to employment centers. Her focus on attracting employers to underserved communities reduces both commute burdens and economic disparities between East and West County.

🌊

Climate Resilience & Sea Level Rise Planning

As Vice Chair of the Resilient Shoreline Committee, Diane helped advance the work that secured $1,499,285 in 2024 from the California Ocean Protection Council’s SB 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program to develop the Contra Costa Resilient Shoreline Plan—supporting countywide, long-term planning for sea level rise adaptation from San Francisco Bay to the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta.

📊

Regional Committee Leadership

Diane serves on over 30 local and regional committees. County materials list her leadership roles including Chair of the Economic Development Committee, Illegal Dumping Ad Hoc Committee, Legislation Committee, and Resilient Shoreline Committee—and note that she has served as Chair of the Board of Supervisors (2021; sworn in again as Chair in January 2026).

Legacy & Ripple Effects

Diane's influence extends beyond her own positions—through the organizations she's shaped, the policies she's created, and the regional infrastructure she's helped build.

🌿

Environmental Institutions Strengthened

From Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed to the Delta Protection Commission, Diane has built and led organizations that will continue protecting California's environment long after her tenure. Her decade of nonprofit leadership trained the next generation of local conservation advocates.

🗺️

Regional Policy Frameworks

Her work on 30+ committees—from Delta stewardship to regional planning—helps shape policy across the Bay Area. The Resilient Shoreline Committee supports long-term climate adaptation planning that will guide county decisions for decades.

⚖️

Legislative Impact

AB 2374’s passage demonstrates how local advocacy can become state law. By partnering with state legislators on illegal-dumping enforcement, Diane helped move an East County problem from local frustration to statewide legal change.

🏘️

East County Representation

As a longtime East County resident and three-term supervisor, Diane has shifted county attention and resources toward historically underserved communities. Her advocacy has brought mental health services, fire protection, and economic development focus to residents who often felt overlooked by county government.

💪

Model of Resilient Leadership

Continuing to serve through profound personal loss, Diane demonstrated the kind of resilient dedication that inspires other women in public service. Her example shows that commitment to community can coexist with, and even be strengthened by, personal challenges.

🏆

Women's Hall of Fame Recognition

Her 2016 induction into the Contra Costa County Women's Hall of Fame for "Women Improving the Environment" placed her among the exceptional women who have enhanced life in the county. This recognition ensures her environmental leadership is documented for future generations.

The Delta is precious and fragile. It is a national treasure that needs our protection and support. First let me say it is truly a privilege to represent the residents of Contra Costa County on the Board of Supervisors, as the Supervisor for District 3.

— Diane Burgis