Patricia “Pat” Martell

Pat Martel is a distinguished public service leader whose career spans nearly four decades in California local government. Throughout her 38-year career, Pat demonstrated exceptional leadership across multiple California jurisdictions, most notably serving as City Manager of Daly City from 2005 to 2018. Her expertise in managing communities ranging from 67,000 to 850,000 residents includes key leadership positions in Inglewood, South San Francisco, San Francisco, and Hayward. 

During her tenure as City Manager, she championed initiatives focused on efficient service delivery, community engagement, organizational excellence, and diversity in leadership. Pat's influence extends well beyond her direct executive roles. Pat made history in 2015 when she became the 102nd President of ICMA. As the first woman of color to hold this position, Pat’s selection marked a significant milestone for diversity and inclusion both within the ICMA and in the broader field of city and county management. Pat’s led and/or developed numerous ICMA task forces and committees, particularly those focused on advancing women and promoting inclusivity in the profession. Her leadership extended to other prestigious boards, including the California City Management Foundation, Women Leading Government, and the Local Government Hispanic Network.