Women’s History Month
Celebrating Dawn Rowe, San Bernardino County Supervisor and SBCERA Board of Retirement Trustee

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we want to recognize San Bernardino County Board Supervisor and SBCERA Trustee Dawn Rowe for her leadership and service to communities across the region.

Supervisor Rowe serves as the Third District Supervisor on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, representing a district that spans thousands of square miles and includes diverse communities across the county’s desert and mountain regions. She first joined the Board of Supervisors December 2018 after being appointed to complete a vacant term, and has since been elected and re-elected by voters, continuing to serve through her current term ending in 2029

Prior to her role on the Board of Supervisors, Rowe served on the Yucca Valley Town Council from 2010 to 2014, where her peers selected her to serve as mayor. Her experience in local government helped prepare her to address issues impacting both rural communities and growing cities throughout San Bernardino County.

In addition to her work as a county supervisor, Rowe contributes to the governance of SBCERA as a member of the Board of Retirement. Appointed in January 2023, she helps oversee the retirement system that supports county employees and retirees.

Throughout her public service, Supervisor Rowe has focused on priorities such as public safety, infrastructure improvement, and economic opportunity, while advocating for the unique needs of the county’s rural and desert communities.

“It’s an honor to serve SBCERA’s members and contribute to safeguarding the retirement security they’ve earned through their public service,” said Dawn Rowe. “I’m proud to support thoughtful, responsible decision-making that reflects our commitment to long-term stability and trust.”

Her service on both the Board of Supervisors and the SBCERA Board of Retirement reflects the important role women leaders play in shaping public policy, strengthening fiscal stewardship, and supporting long-term planning. During Women’s History Month, we recognize leaders like Dawn Rowe whose work continues to make a lasting impact communities across San Bernardino County.

What does leadership mean to you?
Leadership is about service and stewardship. It means being entrusted by the public to make thoughtful, responsible decisions that reflect both the needs of today and the long-term well-being of the community. I see leadership as a balance between listening and acting—being accessible and open-minded, while also having the judgment and courage to make difficult decisions.

It also means accountability. I am responsible not only to the voters who put me in office, but to every resident in the county. That requires being mindful of how we use public resources, ensuring we are fiscally responsible, and that every decision we make delivers value and integrity.It also means accountability. I am responsible not only to the voters who put me in office, but to every resident in the county. That requires being mindful of how we use public resources, ensuring we are fiscally responsible, and that every decision we make delivers value and integrity.

Ultimately, leadership means representing everyone, even when opinions differ. It’s about building trust, staying grounded in the community, and working every day to make a positive, lasting impact.

What are you most proud of?
Being a strong advocate for rural communities. Some examples: Operation Hammer Strike where we eradicated all of the illegal cannabis grows; creating a balance for vacation rentals; stopping the coastal cities from making us their Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) dumping ground. 

What drives you?
What drives me is a deep sense of responsibility to the people I serve. Every decision we make at the county level has a real impact on families, businesses, and our communities. I’m motivated by the opportunity to solve problems, to help people navigate challenges, and to make government work in a way that is responsive, efficient, and worthy of the public’s trust. At the end of the day, it’s about making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.