In her first term in the Assembly, Catharine has lived up to her pledge to be a different kind of legislator – one who works across party lines to get things done. She wrote legislation to better prevent child abuse in schools, to make the Bay Bridge oversight authority more transparent and accountable, and to offer veterans support in finding new careers when they return to civilian life. All these bills passed with unanimous, bipartisan support and were signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. She has authored legislation to improve California’s transportation system and water infrastructure; modernize California’s schools so all children, regardless of the zip code they live in, can receive a great education; to make higher education accessible and affordable for California residents, and to make the state more accountable and financially disciplined with taxpayer funds. It’s no surprise the Contra Costa Times said, “Baker shows the Legislature there’s room for bipartisanship.”

An active parent leader in local schools, Catharine served on numerous local school improvement committees and on a preschool board. She is a Trustee with the Diablo Regional Arts Association, supporting arts education opportunities for families and school children. She is active in local Scouting with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, serving as an archery instructor and camp volunteer. As small business counsel at Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel law firm in Pleasanton, Catharine’s practice is helping local small businesses and non-profit organizations get started and succeed.

Catharine is a native Californian. She earned her BA degree from the University of Chicago, overcoming cancer her senior year to graduate Phi Beta Kappa. She earned her JD degree from UC Berkeley School of Law. Catharine is married to her college sweetheart, Dan, and they have two school-aged children, twins.

A teacher, mother and public servant, Cheryl Cook-Kallio learned about service from her dad, a career Navy man and her grandfather, a man who fought in WWI and then found a way to enlist again so he could serve in WWII with his son.

A celebrated public school teacher, respected Pleasanton City Councilmember and tireless community activist Cheryl has fought to: enhance public education, increase a ordable housing options, improve streets and roads, and make our community safer.

As a teacher Cheryl was dedicated, providing our youth with the best foundation possible to be successful in the 21st century. She spent 39 years educating our youth and was recognized with honors for her excellence in the classroom.

Cook-Kallio served eight years on Pleasanton’s City Council. During her time as Vice-Mayor and Councilmember she led the way to increase a ordable housing, expand parkland and implement curbside recycling. Working with regional transportation agencies, Cheryl improved streets and roads, finding solutions to traffic gridlock.

Now retired from the classroom, Cheryl serves as a Boardmember to the Pleasanton Partnership in Education Foundation, member of the CA Civic Learning Task Force Advisory Board, a member of the Teacher Advisory Board for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s iCivics Foundation, and as the Northern California Senior Consultant for the Center for Civic Education.

Cheryl earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte and her Masters of Arts degree in U.S. History with an emphasis on the U.S. Constitution from San Jose State University.

She holds teaching credentials in Social Science and English, with a supplemental credential in Spanish. Cheryl and her husband John, a retired teacher, live in Pleasanton. They are the parents of four children.