The Honorable Susan Golding, former mayor of San Diego, civil servant, politician.
Golding earned a B.A. in Government & International Relations from Carleton College (1966), a M.A. from Columbia University in French and Romance Philology (1974), and a PhD research fellowship in Romance Philology at Emory University where she also became a teaching assistant.
In 1974 Golding moved to San Diego, California, and was Associate Publisher and General Manager of NewsPress, a community newspaper, as well as becoming a community college instructor.
Golding’s political career began in 1981 when she was elected to the San Diego City Council (1981-1983). In 1983, she served as Deputy Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing for the State of California (1983-1984), followed by seven years (1985-1992) on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
In 1992, Golding was elected mayor of San Diego, an office she held until 2000. She was the first Jewish person to hold that office and campaigned as a progressive Republican: a supporter of gay rights, affirmative action, environmental protection, and pro-choice policies.
Golding’s major accomplishments as mayor were to streamline city government for businesses, set aside 52,000 acres in the city as part of a comprehensive Multiple Species Conservation Plan, increase police funding and patrols, create neighborhood service centers, and help create the city’s first winter shelter for the homeless. She was also instrumental in San Diego’s successful bid to host the 1996 Republican National Convention.
While mayor, Golding also served on the Board of Directors of the International Republican Institute, a core part of the National Endowment for Democracy. During her tenure, she worked alongside John McCain, participating in international missions, including monitoring the first Russian parliamentary elections in Moscow in the 1990s.
From 2000-2012, Golding was the Chief Executive Officer of Golding Group, a consulting firm and “think tank” that helps businesses and non-profits grow. After leaving elected office, she was on the board of many businesses, including the Titan Corporation (a defense company), Avanir Pharmaceuticals, the SureBeam Corporation, and 1st Pacific Bank. She currently serves on several boards and advisory committees, including the Pacific Council on International Policy and the International Republican Institute.
While a West Lafayette High School student, Golding was the co-chair of the Junior Prom Board, the Assistant News Director of the school paper, a cheerleader, and on the yearbook staff. Her favorite class was chemistry “because it was college level and challenging,” and Mr. Guy “was terrific.” She also enjoyed her English classes, “taught the old-fashioned way,” algebra, “I always have been interested in abstract thinking,” and Latin “because the language talked about history.” Golding adds, “my West Lafayette education added to my capacity to think and analyze.”