Meet Kris

Practical Leadership Rooted in Community

I’m serving on the Paso Robles City Council to help build a community where working people, families, and the next generation can continue to live, work, and thrive.

Elevating the needs of our workers & families is good for business, strengthens our local economy, and is necessary for the long term health of our city.

As the District 1 representative, I focus on practical local issues that shape everyday quality of life — housing, parks, jobs, traffic & pedestrian safety, youth spaces, and helping residents navigate City Hall.

I see my role as a bridge—helping residents understand how local government works, where to engage, and how to have a voice in shaping their community. I work hard to represent residents who may not have the time, schedule or resources to attend council meetings. Learn More about City Councilmember’s Responsibilities

I believe good local government should be accessible, transparent, and responsive. Better outcomes happen when residents are informed, engaged, and connected to the process. Learn More About Results from Engagement

I want everyone to have the opportunities I’ve had to create a good life.

Local Roots

My family came to Paso Robles in the 1970s, and I grew up understanding both the opportunities and challenges that shape our community.

I attended Paso Robles public schools before earning degrees from California Polytechnic State University in Political Science and Agriculture. Those experiences helped shape my interest in public service, community development, and long-term problem solving.

Paso Robles is more than where I live — it is home. I care deeply about preserving the character of our community while helping it adapt thoughtfully for the future.

I attended local schools, built my career here, raised my son here, and was fortunate to create a stable and happy life through education, hard work, and support from family and community. That experience continues to shape how I approach public service today.

  • Flyer for the San Luis Obispo County Housing Summit on April 8, 2026, from 2 to 5:30 p.m., at Embassy Suites, 333 Madonna Rd.

    Housing Summit

  • Three people taking a selfie at a baseball field, with a crowd of people and a chain-link fence in the background.

    Youth Baseball

  • Four people wearing safety vests and holding yellow trash bags stand on the street ready to clean up litter in Paso Robles. They are smiling and appear to be participating in a community cleanup event.

    Street Cleanup

  • Picture features Kris Beal at Glen Speck Jr High in Paso Robles, circa 1979. A team of five young girls in cheerleading uniforms performing a cheerleading stunt outdoors with arms outstretched in a pyramid formation.

    Glen Speck

  • Kris Beal celebrates the opening of Royal Oak Meadows Park in Paso Robles with a trip down the slide.

    Celebrating Park Opening

  • People riding in a decorated Santa's sleigh float at night, with Christmas lights and costumes. Kris Beal is volunteering doing traffic patrol and is wearing a bright yellow vest.

    Traffic control

  • An older picture of Kris Beal and her young son smiling at the camera.

    My Son and Me

  • Group of four women and one man standing indoors near a window, smiling for a photo. The women are wearing colorful jackets and accessories, and some have badges or pins. The woman second from the right is holding a yellow bag. Outside the window, a fence and trees are visible.

    Point in Time Count of Unhoused

  • People wearing maroon t-shirts with the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District logo sitting outdoors on grass under a wooden pergola, attending an event on a sunny day with green trees in the background.

    Battle of the Books

  • A presentation slide showing a town hall meeting about food truck regulations in the City of Paso Robles, with a view of the audience in the background.

    Community Engagement

Public Service

After a career in education, outreach, research and non-profit leaders ion, I was honored to be elected to represent District 1 on the Paso Robles City Council.

One of the things I enjoy most about serving is the opportunity to keep learning. Whether I’m attending a committee meeting, visiting a project, talking with residents, or participating at a community event, I almost always come away with a better understanding of our community. Those experiences help me make more informed decisions and better represent District 1.

Current Committee Assignments

I currently serve as a liaison, member or alternate for the following local and regional committees. This is an important responsibility that Informs my decisions and allows me to be the bridge between the city and the community.

  • Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

  • Paso Robles Housing Authority

  • Joint Working Group with the City of Paso Robles, Paso Robles Joint Unified School District, Cuesta College

  • Paso Robles Groundwater Agency

  • Homeless Services Oversight Committee

  • Paso Robles Downtown Mainstreet Association

  • Paso Robles - Templeton Chamber of Commerce

  • Paso Robles Wine Alliance

Why I Serve

Local government is rarely fast or simple. Real progress often requires building consensus, coordination, planning, funding, public process, and long-term persistence. Learn More About How Local Government Works

I see my role as helping elevate community concerns, communicate clearly, and move practical solutions forward constructively.

Not every issue has an immediate solution, and no councilmember can solve problems alone. But thoughtful leadership, collaboration, and consistent advocacy can make a meaningful difference over time.

I’m committed to helping Paso Robles remain a community where people feel connected, supported, and optimistic about the future.

I want everyone to have the same opportunities I had to create a better life.

Leadership & Professional Experience

For more than two decades, I served as Executive Director of Vineyard Team, a nonprofit organization focused on sustainability, education, workforce development, and agricultural leadership.

That work required:

  • managing budgets, staff, and long-term planning

  • building partnerships across different viewpoints

  • navigating complex regulations and public policy

  • creating educational and workforce programs

  • bringing people together around practical solutions

I’ve worked with growers, environmental organizations, educators, government agencies, business leaders, and community advocates — experiences that continue to inform my approach on the City Council.

I believe progress usually comes through persistence, collaboration, and thoughtful implementation rather than slogans or political theater.

Community Involvement

Outside of Council, I stay actively involved in community organizations, local events, schools, and nonprofit efforts throughout Paso Robles.

Some of the areas I care deeply about include:

  • youth opportunities and recreation

  • parks and community spaces

  • housing and economic opportunity

  • public engagement and civic participation

  • supporting working families

I value being accessible and connected to residents — whether that means answering questions, helping people navigate city processes, or simply listening to concerns and ideas from the community. View Video on My First Year

Additional Background

Education

  • Paso Robles High School

  • California Polytechnic State University — B.A. Political Science

  • California Polytechnic State University — M.S. Agriculture

Selected Recognition

  • EPA Environmental Stewardship recognition

  • California Agricultural Leadership Program

  • Wine Industry Person of the Year