Francisco Estrada was born and raised in the city of Watsonville. Francisco’s parents immigrated to the central coast from Zacatecas and worked the agricultural fields for decades. After graduating from Aptos High School in 2001, Francisco pursued a double major and completed his undergraduate studies at UC Santa Cruz. Afterwards, Francisco obtained a master’s degree in Modern History from San Jose State University in 2012. Francisco went on to work and contribute to agencies such as the County Office of Education, the Health Trust of the Pajaro Valley, FoodWhat?! as executive director, and was employed as an adjunct history instructor at Hartnell College. In 2018, Francisco ran for public office and was elected to the Watsonville City Council, serving as Mayor of his hometown in 2019. Finally, Francisco serves on a number of local nonprofit boards and commissions, loves soccer and comic books, and is currently employed as an analyst for the Local Agency Formation of Santa Cruz County.

Francisco is serving on the Cabrillo board because he firmly believes that public education is still the great equalizer in our society, that each student, especially the historically disenfranchised, have a right to a quality and impactful education, and finally, to honor his late friend and mentor, Manuel Bersamin.