Biography

Joan Buchanan honed her financial and analytical skills at Delta Dental becoming one of the fastest rising women in the company and Director of Commercial Operations before the age of 30. 

Joan left the private sector to raise her five children and in the process became one of the San Ramon Valley’s most effective community activists.

As a soccer coach and public school parent, Joan knew first hand the kind of help schools needed.  Thus began her nearly 20-year service on the San Ramon Valley School Board including 4 terms as president. Under Joan’s leadership, the district took a new direction. Over 94% of the district’s graduating seniors attend college or university.  And, despite being severely under funded, SRVUSD has received state and national recognition for student achievement.  SRVUSD now ranks among the top 5% of all school districts in California. 

Joan's expertise in budgeting and organizational development has served the community well. She led successful negotiations with both teachers and developers and she created the District’s trust that protects retirement benefits.

Her  entrepreneurial approach has resulted in a number of community firsts. As Vice-President of the San Ramon Valley School Age Child Care Alliance she helped bring school-age childcare to San Ramon elementary schools; she successfully chaired the 1994 “No on Vouchers” campaign to protect public school funds; and as PTA President at Alamo Elementary, Joan created a coalition that raised money to build a much needed outdoor theater.

Joan’s parents, a bartender and a waitress, taught her that each of us must do all we can to safeguard and improve our neighborhood and larger community.  For doing just this, Joan has received numerous recognitions including the California Teachers Association State Gold Award and the Alamo Rotary Club Citizen of the Year .

Joan is a world traveler and 25-year resident of Alamo.