Christine Padilla has led Build Up San Mateo County since its founding in 2018, bringing deep expertise in policy, partnerships, and systems change to expand access to early care and education. Her leadership has helped shape local and statewide efforts to address child care facility needs, including inspiring the creation of Build Up California, where she now serves as an advisor. Christine’s work has been nationally recognized, including in a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation case study, and in 2024, she was inducted into the San Mateo County Women’s Hall of Fame.