When Noya Wang was elected to the Alhambra City Council in November 2024, she didn’t just take her seat, she took the lead. Immediately stepping into the role of mayor, Wang guided the city through the January 2025 windstorm and wildfires, proving that leadership isn’t about tenure, but about vision, action, and heart.
Before entering Alhambra’s city council, Wang served as Public Works Director for the City of Rosemead. Her background in structural engineering and experience in both private development and public infrastructure makes her self-proclaimed problem solver and future builder. “I see myself as someone who connects the dots,” she explains. “I bring people together and paint a picture of what our city could look like when we work as one.”
Wang’s journey in leadership began long before her entry into city government. As a member of the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California (SEAOSC), she found both inspiration and community through the Women in Structural Engineering (WiSE) Committee. For Wang, WiSE was more than just a professional network, it was a safe space and a strong community.
“As a woman engineer, we often find ourselves as the only woman in the room. It can be incredibly isolating,” she shared. “WiSE gave us a safe space to support each other.” Her involvement in the committee grew into leadership when she became its chair, spearheading initiatives like the group’s first mentorship program. “I’m just very proud of what we were able to achieve together.”
That spirit of collaboration now guides her in public service. Wang sees her role not as a top-down leader, but as a facilitator who amplifies community voices. “It’s never really about me,” she says. “The solution lies in everybody in the community, I’m just the one who brings people together.”
At a time when national politics can feel overwhelming, Wang is passionate about focusing on what can be done close to home. “I love this community,” she says. “There’s so much we can do at the local level.”
As she works to strengthen infrastructure and foster safer, more connected neighborhoods, Wang exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose, empathy, and vision. In every room she walks into — whether as an engineer, a public servant, or a community advocate — she’s building more than structures. She’s building belonging.
What makes a good leader? Number one is empathy. I also like the saying “share the credit, take the blame.”
Her advice for young women: As women, there will be many voices, sometimes internal ones, that tell us we’re not qualified. Listen to those voices, but don’t let them stop you from getting to where you’re trying to go. Like, “I hear you, I know you’re not sure, but let’s try anyway.” Don’t be afraid, life is so short and there’s so much beauty in taking risks.
