Salena Chow Biography

Salena Chow is the Chief Operating Officer at the Judicial Council of California. She directs the Operations and Programs Division, which includes the Center for Families, Children, and the Courts; Center for Judicial Education and Research; Criminal Justice Services; and Information Technology.

Ms. Chow’s public service career began in 2006 with California’s executive branch of government. Prior to joining the Judicial Council in February 2024, she served, by appointment of the Governor, as Chief Operating Officer for the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). In that leadership role since 2020, she had oversight responsibility for the department’s administration and operations, supporting significant expansion of social services programs in California. This included engagement with counties, stakeholders, and community partners; leading workforce initiatives; process innovation and system modernization; and institutionalizing diversity, equity, and inclusion within CDSS operations.

Earlier in her public service career, she served in various management and executive leadership roles supporting fiscal programs implementation and technical assistance to counties. She also worked on developing state policy solutions to implement federal reforms providing services to low-income families with children.

Prior to her tenure in State government, Ms. Chow worked in the private sector in the field of project administration and risk management serving the construction and insurance industries. She is a native Californian and alumni of the University of California at Berkeley.