
Perry, who will also serve as a senior adviser to the governor on early childhood issues, has long served in top leadership positions in nonprofit management, including First Five San Mateo County, First Five California, the First Five Years Fund and Save the Children Action Network Inc. She also serves on the Council of Advisors for the National Court Appointed Special Advocates Association.
Perry “will help lead efforts to implement Governor Newsom’s early childhood policy agenda, one of the key components of his California for All agenda,” according to a news release from the Governor’s Office. Newsom’s budget has proposed more than $1.7 billion in funding for expanded early childhood education and early interventions.
Perry, 54, a Democrat, will receive an annual salary of $170,000, and her appointment does not require state Senate confirmation.
Newsom’s office also announced the appointment of Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, a national leader in pediatric medicine, to serve as California’s first-ever surgeon general. Burke Harris has been on Newsom’s radar for years; when he was mayor of San Francisco, he named her to the San Francisco Citizens’ Committee for Community Development.
Burke Harris, 43, a Democrat, will be paid $200,000 per year. The position does not require Senate confirmation.