Council Experience

Hillsboro voters elected Mayor Beach Pace in November 2024 to a four-year term. Previously, she was elected as a City Councilor in November 2018 and re-elected in November 2022. Mayor Pace's term began on January 7, 2025 and will expire in January 2029. Mayor Pace is eligible to run for re-election in November 2028.

Community Experience

Mayor Pace has lived in Hillsboro since 2012 and has done quite a bit of community service in that time, including:

• Served on the Hillsboro Planning Commission.
• Participating and graduating from the Hillsboro's Civic Leadership Academy in 2017.
• Volunteering at Jackson Elementary School for six years and leading the annual community-building event "Fall Fest" for five years.
• Writing grants for the Hillsboro School District to bring technology (Google Chromebooks, Apple iPads, and science kits) to the classrooms.
• Volunteering at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve for a clean-up day.
• Working with Hands On Greater Portland at Brown Middle School.
• Leading volunteer service days at several Hillsboro schools.
• Taking part in the Portland Timbers' day of service at Dairy Creek Park.
• Volunteering in support of candidates for elected office.
• Serving meals for the Hillsboro Farm-to-Table fundraising event in Downtown Hillsboro.
• Canvassing and presenting in support of the 2017 Hillsboro School District Bond.

Education & Work Experience

Mayor Pace graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and is a U.S. Army veteran. She was stationed in the U.S. and Europe during her time in the military. After her service, she successfully worked in “corporate America” for almost a decade. Since then, she has led social change organizations on the West Coast. In addition to her bachelor's degree in Latin American studies from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, she also earned a master's degree in public administration from Northern Michigan University.

Why serve on the Hillsboro City Council?

"Hillsboro is my home. It’s the city where my wife and I chose to raise our children. It’s the community we sought out for its diversity, inclusion, and safety.  It’s the network of individuals we are lucky enough to call colleagues, neighbors, and friends. This city has given my family an incredible gift. It has been a sanctuary, protecting all we have worked so hard for and all that we hope for the future.

I’m serving on City Council because I believe it’s important to give back to this wonderful city. I serve to ensure that everyone who contributes to our city is served by it — from those who have benefited from generations of prosperity here, to those who are just starting out, finding their voices, or fighting for a fair chance. It is an honor to serve the community and to serve with my colleagues on the City Council."

What are your hopes and goals for serving on the Council?

"I have many issues I want to work on but, foremost, I am very concerned about the housing situation here in Hillsboro. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Council to see if we can augment other initiatives to bring more housing — including more affordable housing — to Hillsboro."

What should Hillsboro residents know about how you serve the community as a Council member?

"I believe that having many voices heard before a decision is made, typically, makes for a better outcome. To me, presence and availability are important in this role. I intend to continue to attend events, meet residents, and listen and learn."

Fun Facts about Beach

• Name origin: Beach was my great grandmother's last name. It has been passed down through the generations as a middle name and given to me as a first name.
• Nickname: With a name like "Beach," who needs a nickname?
• Favorite food: Popcorn
• Favorite dessert: Pumpkin pie
• Favorite beverage: Sparkling water
• Favorite book types: Non-fiction, historical accounts, biographies
• Favorite activities & hobbies: Spending time with family, hiking, working out, and attending Hillsboro events.
• Favorite song: Proud by Heather Small, from the Showtime series Queer as Folk. There are several versions of the song. To me, this is the best rendition.
• Favorite band: The B-52s
• Favorite TV show: The Great British Baking Show
• Favorite movie: Monty Python and the Holy Grail
• Favorite vacation spot: Italy. I loved being stationed there while in the Army and have been back to visit friends.
• Favorite mentors: My mother. She gave great practical advice. Mayor Steve Callaway.
• Favorite quotes: "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." — Ghandi
  "It is easier to build strong children than repair broken men." — Frederick Douglass
• Favorite way to spend a weekend: Hiking with my family and my dog
• Favorite community spaces in Hillsboro: All of the Parks & Recreation spaces. My 100% favorite is Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve.

See More City Council Spotlights

• Mayor Beach Pace
• Councilor Olivia Alcaire
• Councilor Saba Anvery
• Councilor Elizabeth Case
• Councilor Rob Harris
•  Councilor Cristian Salgado
• Councilor Kipperlyn Sinclair

 

See also: Mayor-elect Beach Pace Selected for Bloomberg/Harvard University Program

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