By Cris Alarcon, InEDC Writer. March 13, 2026)
EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. — Retired Army Col. Mary Chan of El Dorado Hills has been named Senate District 4’s 2026 Veteran Woman of the Year by State Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil, recognizing Chan’s 34 years of military service and continued civic leadership in El Dorado County.
Chan will be formally recognized during the California Legislature’s annual Women of the Year ceremony on the Senate floor Monday, March 16, at approximately 2 p.m.
In announcing the honor, Alvarado-Gil praised Chan’s journey and commitment to public service.
“Mary Chan’s remarkable journey, from immigrant to trailblazing military leader and tireless community advocate, embodies the spirit of service that defines Senate District 4,” Alvarado-Gil said in a statement.
From Hong Kong Immigrant to Army Colonel
Chan was born in Kowloon, Hong Kong, and immigrated to the United States with her family in 1963, overcoming language barriers and cultural adjustments as she built a career in public service.
She began her professional path working in the office of former California Secretary of State March Fong Eu before joining the military.
Chan enlisted in the California Army National Guard in 1978 through the Civilian Acquired Skills Program and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1981. Over the course of her 34-year career in the California Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve, she rose to the rank of colonel.
Her military assignments included serving as a company commander, logistics and maintenance officer, and instructor at the California Military Academy. In that role, Chan helped mentor and train more than 1,000 second lieutenants entering military service.
She also supported mobilization efforts tied to Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and served as an Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer, coordinating wildfire response efforts for the California National Guard and briefing state and federal leaders on equipment and personnel needs during major incidents.
Chan retired from the military in 2011.
Continued Service in El Dorado County
After settling in El Dorado Hills in 2008, Chan continued her commitment to public service through several local civic and veterans organizations.
She served two terms on the El Dorado County Civil Grand Jury from 2021 to 2023, contributing to and editing more than a dozen reports that provide oversight and recommendations to improve local government transparency and efficiency.
Chan also helped revive the local Civil Grand Jury Association chapter by recruiting and training new jurors.
Today she serves her second term as treasurer for the Taxpayers Association of El Dorado County, where she develops educational materials to help residents better understand county governance.
Her work also includes active involvement with the El Dorado Hills Military Veterans Group, where she has helped lead efforts to design and establish a veterans memorial in the community.
In addition, Chan is a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10165 and frequently volunteers to organize community events, fundraising initiatives and wildfire preparedness advocacy.
Recognizing a Lifetime of Service
Local leaders say Chan’s impact extends well beyond her military career.
Her efforts mentoring future officers, coordinating emergency preparedness efforts and supporting civic engagement in El Dorado County helped earn her recognition as the district’s Veteran Woman of the Year.
The annual Women of the Year ceremony in Sacramento honors women across California’s Senate districts for their leadership, service and community contributions.
For Chan, the recognition reflects a lifetime devoted to both national defense and community service.
