On Monday June 10th 2019, our dear friend and colleague, Chona Sarte, passed away far too soon at the age of 32.

She was a public servant with a deep love for California and its values. She was a fierce advocate for the environment, gender and racial equity, among other causes. In her free time she loved to travel and try new cuisines. Chona worked at the California EPA for nearly a decade where she spearheaded countless initiatives near and dear to her heart. Most recently, she was at the California Governor's office where she served with distinction on the External Affairs team. Though her time there was brief, her impact will be felt for years to come. Her generosity, sense of humor and genuine kindness touched many lives on a daily basis.

Chona was a first generation American, born and raised in Sacramento, California. Her parents moved to the U.S. from the Philippines to raise Chona and her two brothers. She attended California State University, Sacramento for her Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Communications and later earned her M.B.A. from UC Davis . 

She leaves behind her husband, Eugene (Euge), her parents, and her two brothers.