Rewriting the Rules: A Career Inside San Francisco's City Hall
Sean Elsbernd
He will then turn to his other Claremont McKenna connection: the Rose Institute of State and Local Government, where he worked as a student and now serves on its Board of Governors. The Rose’s 2023 report on San Francisco's government design diagnosed a City Hall structurally unable to govern itself. Elsbernd traces how that diagnosis shaped SPUR’s 2025 report, “Charter for Change,” and how both reports converged in Mayor Daniel Lurie's three charter reform measures now before San Francisco voters.
Sean Elsbernd is the President and CEO of SPUR, where he leads the organization’s efforts to advance equity-centered, data-driven public policy across San Francisco, San José, and Oakland. He brings more than 25 years of public service experience at the local, regional, and federal levels. Before joining SPUR, he served as chief of staff to San Francisco Mayor London Breed, where he oversaw citywide operations, regional partnerships, and state legislative affairs.
Sean previously served as state director for U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, where he represented District 7. He has also held key regional transit leadership roles, including as chair of the Caltrain Board of Directors and director of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District. A fourth-generation San Franciscan, he and his wife are raising the fifth generation. Sean is passionate about building a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient Bay Area. He holds a BA from Claremont McKenna College and a JD from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings).
Sean’s talk is co-sponsored by the Rose Institute of State and Local Government and Open Academy, both at CMC.