ABOUT TERESA
For more than a decade I have been fortunate to call Carlsbad my home. In this community, I founded a business, raised a child, taught community college classes, and volunteered for a variety of non-profit causes. I am happy and proud to be a Carlsbadian.
In 2020 I was elected to represent District 4 on the Carlsbad City Council. It is my honor to serve you.
While I am excited about what we have accomplished in my first term, there is still work to do to improve our community, especially in my three priority areas: Sustainability, Affordability, and Safety. This is why I am running for re-election in 2024. Over the coming months, I look forward to discussing your perspectives and ideas about community improvements, because we all want Carlsbad to be the best it can be, and we are all in this together.
BIOGRAPHY
Teresa Acosta was elected to the Carlsbad City Council on November 3, 2020. Born and raised in Southern California, Teresa has dedicated her life and career to creating positive community change. She served as a Field Representative for a California State Senator and Regional Public Affairs Manager at the League of California Cities (Cal Cities) before founding her own small business in Carlsbad in 2011.
Teresa has championed sustainability, safety, and affordability in a variety of leadership roles in Carlsbad, the region and the state. She has been an active member of Sierra Club, Surfrider Foundation, Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation, and the Climate Reality Project. She is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Local Government and a member of Cal Cities’ Board of Directors. She previously chaired the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Committee and Technology Advisory Committee. She has served on the Board of Directors of several local non-profit organizations, including MAAC Project and the National Charity League’s Del Sol Chapter.
Teresa is dedicated to preparing the next generation for leadership. She taught business courses for more than three years as an adjunct professor at MiraCosta College, and regularly mentors students and young professionals. In 2021, she founded the Carlsbad Volunteer Leaders, a local mentorship and service group that coordinates community conversations and leads donation drives and beach cleanups.
Teresa earned her BA from the University of Southern California and MBA from Pepperdine University. She is a graduate of the HOPE Leadership Institute, the Center for Creative Leadership Latina Leaders Program, the Carlsbad Citizens Academy, the San Diego County Water Authority Academy, and the Climate Reality Leaderships Corps. She is the recipient of the 2021 Ring of Honor Award from MANA, a national Latina organization.
Teresa sits on the Carlsbad City Council Legislative Subcommittee and is the city’s representative to multiple regional and local organizations: Cal Cities San Diego County Division, Cal Cities Environmental Quality Committee, Cal Cities Latino Caucus Board of Directors, San Diego County Water Authority, Carlsbad City/School Committee, Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, North County Dispatch JPA, Clean Energy Alliance JPA (alternate), and Encina Wastewater Authority (Alternate). She is a member of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN!
