An Interview with Yan Zhao: You Cannot Truly Change Things Without a Seat at the Table

By Diana Ding

I have known Zhao Yan for over twenty years. Over that time, I have watched her journey into public service and her gradual evolution into the leader she is today. She is not loud or boisterous, nor is she one to shout slogans. She works quietly, prepares diligently, and then honors her commitments through action. It is precisely for this reason that I have come to better understand why she has persisted on this challenging path.

Last year, she ran for Santa Clara County Assessor. Ultimately, she did not succeed.

In our interview, I didn’t start by asking about the future. Instead, I asked: “What was your biggest takeaway from this election?”

She offered no complaints and made no excuses. She simply analyzed the entire campaign process with remarkable composure. She believes that while an election certainly requires an excellent candidate, factors such as the system, resources, organization, and long-established advantages also shape the final outcome. She did not blame others for the defeat, nor did she give up because of it. She simply told me: “If I were to do it again, I would prepare earlier and more thoroughly.”

That is Yan Zhao. When faced with setbacks, her instinct isn’t to quit—it’s to figure out how to do better.

Many years ago, I tried to dissuade her. I asked: “Politics is so complex—why do you feel compelled to take this path?” Her reply has stayed with me to this day. She said: “If I don’t sit in that position, I have no way to change things.” At the time, I only half-understood what she meant. Looking back now at her journey over the years, I finally grasp the full weight of those words.

Many people love to comment on politics, yet few are truly willing to step into the realm of public affairs, shoulder responsibility, and change the system.

During the interview, I asked her: “What do you think an elected official can truly change?” She didn’t offer grand theories. Instead, she shared a personal experience.

While serving as mayor, she had always wanted the city government to genuinely reflect the community’s multicultural diversity—and she made good on that commitment. During her tenure, she actively promoted the recruitment of talented Chinese Americans into city government, placing them in leadership roles across various departments. She told me: “One person’s power may be limited. But when you sit in a position where decisions are made, you can open doors of opportunity for many others. Over time, more and more talented Chinese Americans joined government agencies. This not only gave young Chinese people a sense of hope but also gradually shifted long-held stereotypes about the Chinese community.”

She explained that this wasn’t about securing special privileges for any single ethnic group—it was about ensuring that truly capable individuals could be seen, trusted, and given opportunities. At that moment, I was suddenly reminded of something she had said years ago: “If I don’t sit in that seat, I have no way to change things.” She had proven that she truly could—and did—make a difference.

There is another thing about her that I deeply admire. When she ran for Santa Clara County Assessor last year, she did not come from a background in real estate valuation. Many people believe that knowing how to run a campaign is enough, but that was not her mindset at all. She told me: “If I am going to run for this office, I need to truly understand the role.” So she set out to master the professional knowledge required. She attended training sessions, prepared for the exams, and ultimately—in just six months—obtained her professional real estate appraisal license. To her knowledge, many people spend years trying to pass that exam without success, yet she did it in six months.

It wasn’t luck. It was because she believed: If you are going to shoulder a responsibility, you must first possess the competence to handle it.

That is Yan Zhao. She has never been someone who merely shouts slogans. She prefers to ensure she is fully prepared first.

This time, she has decided to run for the Santa Clara County Board of Education. Many people are unfamiliar with this role. It does not involve the day-to-day management of schools. What truly matters is: formulating educational policies, determining the education budget, and deciding how to allocate limited public resources—including support for children in special education, children in the foster care system, youth in the juvenile justice system, and many other students in need. Every budgetary decision is, in fact, a choice about values.

I asked her: “What is your leadership style?” She thought for a moment and gave a one-word answer: “Listening.”

She believes that controversy surrounding many public policy decisions stems not from a mere difference of opinion, but from a failure to truly hear the voices of various groups before decisions are made. If she joins the Board of Education in the future, she hopes to involve more parents, teachers, students—and those whose voices are most often overlooked—in the discussion. She believes that a truly fair decision is not one made for others, but one made only after earnestly listening to everyone.

During the interview, I was suddenly reminded of a remark former Congresswoman Anna Eshoo made about Yan Zhao years ago: “Some politicians have loud voices. Yan Zhao does not. But her actions speak volumes.”

I have always felt that this description suits her perfectly. She does not win people over through impassioned rhetoric; she earns their trust through steadfast persistence.

At the end of the interview, I asked her: “Many people wonder, why does a campaign always involve fundraising?” She gave a candid explanation. A grassroots campaign requires engaging with the community—hosting events, knocking on doors, sending out postcards, and constantly sharing your vision with more voters. All of this requires resources. Fundraising isn’t for the candidate’s personal benefit; it’s about giving more people the chance to meet and get to know you.

As I left the interview, I kept reflecting on what I had heard. The defining characteristic of Yan Zhao has never been whether or not she won a past election. Rather, it is the fact that she prepares meticulously for every step she takes. She does not give up in the face of failure, nor does she lower her standards when confronted with difficulties.

She believes that change does not happen overnight. It stems from continuous learning, listening, taking responsibility, and rising up again and again. Perhaps this is why, after more than twenty years, she remains willing to run for office. What she truly seeks is not merely a position, but an opportunity—to influence education, shape policy, and impact the next generation.

I have always believed that a true public leader is not necessarily the loudest voice in the room, but rather someone who can get the job done when it matters most. Yan Zhao is precisely that kind of person.

If you share her vision—and hope to see more pragmatic public leaders who value education and are willing to listen—I invite you to learn more about her campaign platform and contribute to our community by volunteering, sharing her message, or supporting her campaign.

Sometimes, the significance of an election lies in more than just deciding who gets elected. More importantly, it is about bringing more people willing to shoulder responsibility to the table where public decisions are made. And that is precisely where real change begins.