Eleni Kounalakis

Eleni Kounalakis is an American politician, diplomat, and businesswoman serving as the Lieutenant Governor of California since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she is the first woman elected to the position in the state's history. Prior to her election, she served as the United States Ambassador to Hungary under President Barack Obama and held executive roles in her family's real estate development firm, AKT Development.

Early life and education

Eleni Kounalakis was born in Sacramento, California, the daughter of real estate developer and philanthropist Angelo Tsakopoulos. She grew up in the Sacramento metropolitan area and attended local schools before enrolling at Dartmouth College. At Dartmouth, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in government, graduating magna cum laude. She later pursued graduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where she received a Master of Business Administration from the Haas School of Business. Her academic background in both political science and business administration laid a foundation for her future careers in public service and private enterprise.

Business career

Following her graduation from UC Berkeley, Kounalakis joined her family's company, AKT Development, a major real estate firm in Northern California. She held several executive positions, including president, where she managed large-scale residential and commercial development projects. Her work focused on land acquisition, strategic planning, and community relations, contributing to the growth of the firm's portfolio in the Sacramento Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. During this period, she also served on the boards of several civic and educational institutions, such as the California State University, Sacramento Foundation and the Walt Disney Family Museum.

Political career

Kounalakis's political career began in earnest in 2010 when President Barack Obama nominated her to serve as the United States Ambassador to Hungary. Confirmed by the United States Senate, she served in Budapest from 2010 to 2013, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations, promoting democratic values, and supporting American business interests. Upon returning to California, she became active in state politics and was elected Lieutenant Governor of California in the 2018 election, defeating former Congressman John Garamendi. In office, her responsibilities include serving on the University of California Board of Regents, the California State University Board of Trustees, and the California State Lands Commission. She has been a prominent advocate for affordable housing, climate change policy, and expanding access to higher education.

Personal life

Kounalakis is married to journalist and author Markos Kounalakis, with whom she has two sons. The family resides in San Francisco. Her father, Angelo Tsakopoulos, is a well-known Sacramento developer and major Democratic donor. She is fluent in Greek, reflecting her heritage, and has been involved with various Hellenic cultural organizations, including the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association. In her personal time, she is an avid supporter of the arts and has served on the board of the San Francisco Symphony.

Electoral history

In the 2018 California lieutenant gubernatorial election, Kounalakis finished first in the nonpartisan blanket primary, advancing to the general election against fellow Democrat John Garamendi. She won the November election with 56.1% of the vote. She was reelected in the 2022 California lieutenant gubernatorial election, defeating Republican candidate Angela Underwood Jacobs with 58.4% of the vote. Her campaigns have focused on her experience as a diplomat and business leader, emphasizing issues such as economic opportunity, education, and environmental protection.

Category:Lieutenant Governors of California Category:United States Ambassadors to Hungary Category:University of California, Berkeley alumni Category:Dartmouth College alumni