Meet Our Supervisor Alan Wong

A Child of Immigrants and Proud Son of the Sunset

Alan’s parents immigrated from Hong Kong to San Francisco in search of opportunity. His father enrolled at City College, which opened doors for him to become a union hotel cook at the Grand Hyatt on Stockton Street. Alan was born and raised in the Sunset. He went to Da Avila Elementary, Herbert Hoover Middle, and Abraham Lincoln High School. As a kid, Alan remembers going for walks down Irving Street with his mom after school and how the shopkeepers knew their customers by name. Alan knows there’s nowhere in San Francisco quite like the Sunset.

Inspired By His Union Activist Father to Join the Labor Movement and Fight for Workers

Thanks to his father’s good union wages, Alan’s family was able to build a life here–living in in-law units throughout the Sunset. Alan’s father often brought him to union marches to stand in solidarity with Marriott and Hyatt workers. Alan later joined the labor movement to honor his father’s legacy and fight for working families like his own. He would serve as a union chief negotiator, representative, and organizer for six years. As an SEIU-United Healthcare Workers union organizer, Alan represented workers at local hospitals. He also served on the San Francisco Labor Council.

A Product of City College Who Went on to Lead it and Protect it as Board President

Public education changed Alan and his families’ lives, and that’s why he’s spent his career fighting for opportunity for others. Like his father before him, Alan enrolled in courses at City College. Thanks to a low-income tuition waiver at City College, he was able to go on to UC San Diego, where he graduated at age 19. He later earned a master’s in public affairs from the University of San Francisco. 

In 2020, Alan ran for City College Board and won. During two terms as College Board President, Alan kept City College free, eliminated student debt, fought for fair union contracts for faculty, and saved Cantonese language programs–all while balancing the budget. 

Standing Up for San Francisco’s Children and Families With Numerous Nonprofits and as a City Hall Legislative Aide

Alan has worked as a City Hall legislative aide, where he drafted and advanced legislation guaranteeing a decade of free City College for all San Francisco residents. As a Senior Policy Director at the Children’s Council of San Francisco, Alan led the fight to make childcare more affordable in San Francisco and played a major role in advancing early-education initiatives citywide. Alan also worked with the American Red Cross to prepare neighbors for emergencies and natural disasters.

Protecting our Democracy and Public Safety with the National Guard

Alan has served in the California Army National Guard for 17 years, holding roles ranging from paralegal specialist to public affairs detachment commander. He was called to Sacramento to protect the State Capitol after the January 6, 2021 civil unrest in Washington, DC. He also responded to California wildfires and other natural disasters.

*Alan Wong serves as an Officer in the United States Army National Guard. Use of his military rank, job titles, or photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the United States Army or the Department of Defense.

*Left Photo: Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images