Page 21 - Rana Sampson Issue (1)

Women Mean Business
“First Lady of San Diego”

well as a Washington colleague encouraged Rana to apply to be a her husband as Mayor of San Diego Rana found herself busy with
White House Fellow, a prestigious one-year fellowship working with her full-time career and her duties as first lady, but still she knew
top cabinet secretaries at the federal level. She started her White the importance of being a part of this worthwhile charity. Rana
House Fellow year under the Bush administration in the Depart- devoted as much time as she could as a volunteer at the San Diego
ment of Education, and subsequently was invited to work in the Center for Children. When the Development Director left her posi-
White House Domestic Policy Council on crime reduction for Presi- tion with the Center, the CEO asked if Rana would step in.
dent Clinton. There wasn’t much that could tear her away from her

San Diego Woman

21

position at the White House except for a marriage proposal from The true love Rana has for her Center is so obvious while speaking
her soon to be husband, Jerry Sanders. They were married in New with her. When asked about herself and her personal achieve-
York in October of 1993. The couple met through their positions in ments, which are remarkable, she is shy and unassuming. But
law enforcement. Shortly before they married Jerry Sanders was when you mention the Center her face lights up and she beams
named San Diego’s Chief of Police and as soon as Rana moved to with pride at how they are currently helping over 500 children in
San Diego after their marriage, she opened her own policing/crime the San Diego area. I couldn’t help but ask her point blank, what
reduction consulting firm traveling worldwide. does this place mean to you? She eloquently responds, “I think it is
Rana’s compassion and giving nature would not allow her to really important to help the most vulnerable members of our society
concentrate only on her career and she also spent many hours vol- and give them the skills they need and a path to happiness. That is
unteering for various local charities. Then, in 2006, when a friend what the Center does, we help these children thrive.
told her about the San Diego Center for Children and the wonder-
ful work they were doing, she visited and became involved. With
March/April 2011