Salena Chow

Chief Operating Officer Salena Chow oversees the Center for Families, Children, and the Courts; Criminal Justice Services; Facilities Services; and Information Technology at the Judicial Council of California.

Ms. Chow’s public service career began in 2006 with California’s executive branch of government. Before joining the Judicial Council in February 2024, she served, by appointment of the Governor in 2020, as chief operating officer for the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). In that leadership role she had oversight responsibility for the department’s administration and operations, supporting the 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, Ms. Chow 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 an alumna of the University of California, Berkeley.