Pranita Venkayrsh is running for reelection to the San Carlos City Council. She currently serves as Mayor of San Carlos. In an exclusive interview with India Currents, she shares her perspective on why she is running for office.
Why did you decide to run for this office?
I originally ran for City Council, a community I deeply care about and am proud to call home, because I wanted to give back to the community that has given my family so much.
As a mother, educator, and small business owner, I saw firsthand how local government decisions affect our everyday lives. Whether it’s keeping our neighborhoods safe, supporting local businesses, or ensuring our children have wonderful parks and public spaces, these decisions matter.
My motivation has always been simple: I care about people, I love San Carlos, and I believe public service is about listening, showing up, and doing the work.
You have been a Councilmember before and are the current Mayor of San Carlos. How has that experience changed your campaign this time?
My first campaign was about what I hoped to accomplish. This campaign is about what I’ve learned and the work I’ve been able to do.
Serving on the City Council and now as Mayor has given me a much deeper understanding of how government works, how difficult some decisions can be, and how important it is to listen to different perspectives.
I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking thoughtful questions, understanding the facts, and making decisions that serve the entire community.
I also have a greater appreciation for our city staff, volunteers, and residents who contribute so much to San Carlos.
This time, I bring experience, perspective, and a continued willingness to learn.
What do you see as your primary role in your new office?
My primary responsibility is to represent the people of San Carlos and be a thoughtful steward of our city’s future.
That means listening to residents, being responsible with taxpayer dollars, asking difficult questions when necessary, and making sure decisions are transparent and well-informed.
I also believe an elected official should be accessible. Residents should feel comfortable reaching out, whether they have a major concern or simply want a pothole fixed.
Sometimes the smallest issues have the biggest impact on someone’s daily life.
If elected, your top priorities will be…
My priorities will continue to focus on public safety, fiscal responsibility, protecting our neighborhood character, and maintaining the quality of life that makes San Carlos special.
I want to continue supporting our local businesses and creating a welcoming, vibrant downtown.
Housing is another important issue. We need to meet our housing responsibilities while thoughtfully considering infrastructure, traffic, parking, and the character of our neighborhoods.
I am also committed to improving our parks and recreational facilities, strengthening pedestrian and e-bike safety, and protecting our environment.
Above all, I want San Carlos to remain a community where families, seniors, and future generations can thrive.
What are the major challenges that your constituency is facing?
Like many Peninsula communities, San Carlos faces the challenge of balancing growth with maintaining the qualities that make our city unique.
Housing affordability, traffic, infrastructure, public safety, and long-term financial sustainability are all important concerns.
We also need to think carefully about how state housing legislation affects local planning decisions.
Another challenge is ensuring that residents feel heard, especially when there are differing opinions about development, parks, or city projects.
I believe we can have respectful disagreements and still work toward solutions that benefit our community.
What do you consider your most significant accomplishments for your city?
One of the things I am proudest of is advocating for San Carlos beyond our city boundaries.
I traveled to Sacramento to advocate for the restoration of Vehicle License Fee funding, an important financial issue for our city and other communities.
I have also advocated for stronger e-bike safety legislation because I believe we need to protect pedestrians, young riders, and everyone sharing our streets.
Locally, I have supported investments in public safety, parks, infrastructure, and improvements to our downtown.
I’m also proud to serve on the League of California Cities Peninsula Division Board, as Vice Chair of the Council of Cities, and on the San Mateo County AAPI Alliance Board.
These roles allow me to build relationships, learn from neighboring communities, and bring a broader regional perspective to San Carlos.
But some of my most meaningful moments have been much smaller: helping a resident navigate a city issue, attending a school event, or seeing neighbors come together to support one another. I advocated for the San Carlos Diwali event this year. It will be the first time Diwali is sponsored by the City of San Carlos.
Those moments remind me why I serve.
What sets you apart from your competitors in the race?
I respect everyone who steps forward to serve our community. Running for public office requires time, commitment, and a willingness to put yourself out there.
What I bring is a combination of experience in local government, education, psychology, and small business ownership.
I earned my undergraduate degree in business and master’s degrees in education and clinical psychology from Notre Dame de Namur University.
As a Montessori educator and business owner, I’ve spent years working with children, families, employees, and parents. That experience has taught me patience, problem-solving, and the importance of listening before reacting.
Serving as Mayor has added another dimension to that experience.
I approach decisions with compassion, common sense, and an understanding that every decision affects real people.
What would be your one-minute pitch to voters?
San Carlos is more than just the city where I live. It’s where my family has built our life, where I’ve raised my children, and where I’ve had the honor of serving our community.
As your Mayor and Councilmember, I’ve worked to keep our city safe, financially responsible, and focused on the things that matter to our residents.
I’ve advocated in Sacramento for funding and e-bike safety, supported our parks and local businesses, and worked to ensure San Carlos has a voice in regional decisions.
I’m also a mother, educator, and small business owner, so I understand the everyday challenges families face.
I believe leadership is about listening, being thoughtful, and treating people with kindness and respect, even when we disagree.
I’m proud of the work we’ve done, and I remain committed to serving San Carlos with integrity, compassion, and common sense.
Would you like to share a few details about your family and background?
I was born in Fiji and immigrated to California when I was four years old. My upbringing taught me the importance of family, education, hard work, and giving back.
I’m married to my husband, Dean, and we have two wonderful children, Deven and Ria.
Like many families, our lives revolve around school, work, activities, and trying to find time to sit down together for dinner.
I’ve also spent much of my professional life as an educator and small business owner, running a Montessori preschool.
Being a mother has shaped the way I see the world, and being an educator has shaped the way I lead.
I believe kindness, patience, and respect are strengths, not weaknesses.
Are there any personal anecdotes you would like to share?
One of the most defining experiences in my life has been raising my son, Deven, who was born with a rare medical condition.
Our family has spent countless hours in hospitals, navigating surgeries, medical challenges, and moments of uncertainty.
Watching my son face those challenges with determination has taught me more about resilience and courage than any leadership position ever could.
It has also taught me that we never really know what another person may be going through.
That experience influences how I approach public service. I try to lead with empathy, listen without judgment, and remember that behind every concern is a person or family with their own story.
Are there any professional anecdotes you would like to share?
Running a Montessori preschool has taught me some of my most valuable leadership lessons.
When you work with young children, you quickly learn that raising your voice rarely solves a problem. You have to listen, observe, understand what’s happening, and respond thoughtfully.
Interestingly, those same skills are incredibly valuable in local government.
People may have strong opinions and disagree passionately, but everyone wants to feel heard and respected.
Whether I’m sitting with a preschooler who is having a difficult morning or listening to residents at a City Council meeting, I try to approach the situation with patience, curiosity, and respect.
I’ve often said that my years in education prepared me for public service in ways I never expected.
At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: leadership is about people. It’s about showing up, listening, and doing your best to leave your community better than you found it.
