About Dan Leahy
EARLY YEARS
Danial Leahy was born in Alameda, CA on March 4, 1982. His father, Robert, was born and raised in a
military family near the Oakland Army Base/Alameda Naval Air Station. He eventually joined the Army
himself and was stationed in Georgia and Germany. After leaving the service he worked in various
building maintenance and mechanic job before eventually working his way up to the position of
Environmental Engineer for a senior independent living community.
Danial’s mother, Barbara grew up in the East Bay living in Berkeley, Oakland and Alameda. After high
school she attended classes at the local community college and worked on the Naval Air Station. After
the birth of Danial’s sister Sarah, Barbara stayed home to raise the family.
Danial’s family moved to the Concord area in the early 90’s and he attended public school in the area.
Throughout high school Danial was involved in many community service projects and supported
causes like the 30 Hour Famine to feed children and Relay for Life to raise money for Cancer
research. Danial got his first taste of politics when he saw President Clinton speak about NetDay at
Ygnacio Valley High School in 1996. Ygnacio Valley is where Danial graduated in 2000.
THE COLLEGE YEARS
Like many other students in California, Danial worked his was through college by attending the local
community college. Danial studied Political Science and Communication at Diablo Valley College in
Pleasant Hill, CA. While attending Diablo Valley College, Danial joined the Associated Students
(ASDVC) to do what he could to help fellow students. It was serving on the Board that Danial got
involved in a wide range of student issues; health services, textbook prices and community college
access. Shortly after becoming a board member, Danial became involved with the campaign to
establish a health center on all three of the district’s campuses. Danial put in countless hours
research, making speeches and building consensus around a plan to provide students with health
and mental services. Danial also assisted in making the presentation to the Contra Costa Community
College Governing Board in July of 2006. The Governing Board approved the plan unanimously.
Also while a member of ASDVC Danial served on a national community college advocacy board as the
Southwest and the California representative. Danial also participated in a forum to discuss ways to
lower the costs students pay for textbooks.
TODAY
Wanting to learn about the more hands on aspects of Political Science, Danial worked on a
Congressional campaign in the Fall of 2006. Working on Charlie Melancon’s campaign in Louisiana
allowed Danial to gain a better understanding about issues that affect us here in Sacramento. Much
can be learned about how the levees in New Orleans functioned, failed and need to be rebuilt. Those
same lessons need to be used to prevent such disaster here in Sacramento County. After returning to
California after the campaign it wasn’t long before Danial got involved with the local Obama campaign
for President. At this time, Danial is a member of the Sacramento County Central Committee as an
alternate for Ann Wangberg.
Currently, Danial is a state employee with the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability
Commission. The Commission was created when Proposition 63 was passed by the voters in 2004.
Danial plays a crucial role in setting-up and planning the meetings of the Commission all over the
state. The purpose of the Commission is to use the money generated by the proposition to transform
mental health services in the state. Danial’s work for the Commission helps achieve those goals.
When Danial isn’t working he enjoys traveling, catching a movie and going to the park with his wife and
13 month old daughter.
Danial Leahy was born in Alameda, CA on March 4, 1982. His father, Robert, was born and raised in a
military family near the Oakland Army Base/Alameda Naval Air Station. He eventually joined the Army
himself and was stationed in Georgia and Germany. After leaving the service he worked in various
building maintenance and mechanic job before eventually working his way up to the position of
Environmental Engineer for a senior independent living community.
Danial’s mother, Barbara grew up in the East Bay living in Berkeley, Oakland and Alameda. After high
school she attended classes at the local community college and worked on the Naval Air Station. After
the birth of Danial’s sister Sarah, Barbara stayed home to raise the family.
Danial’s family moved to the Concord area in the early 90’s and he attended public school in the area.
Throughout high school Danial was involved in many community service projects and supported
causes like the 30 Hour Famine to feed children and Relay for Life to raise money for Cancer
research. Danial got his first taste of politics when he saw President Clinton speak about NetDay at
Ygnacio Valley High School in 1996. Ygnacio Valley is where Danial graduated in 2000.
THE COLLEGE YEARS
Like many other students in California, Danial worked his was through college by attending the local
community college. Danial studied Political Science and Communication at Diablo Valley College in
Pleasant Hill, CA. While attending Diablo Valley College, Danial joined the Associated Students
(ASDVC) to do what he could to help fellow students. It was serving on the Board that Danial got
involved in a wide range of student issues; health services, textbook prices and community college
access. Shortly after becoming a board member, Danial became involved with the campaign to
establish a health center on all three of the district’s campuses. Danial put in countless hours
research, making speeches and building consensus around a plan to provide students with health
and mental services. Danial also assisted in making the presentation to the Contra Costa Community
College Governing Board in July of 2006. The Governing Board approved the plan unanimously.
Also while a member of ASDVC Danial served on a national community college advocacy board as the
Southwest and the California representative. Danial also participated in a forum to discuss ways to
lower the costs students pay for textbooks.
TODAY
Wanting to learn about the more hands on aspects of Political Science, Danial worked on a
Congressional campaign in the Fall of 2006. Working on Charlie Melancon’s campaign in Louisiana
allowed Danial to gain a better understanding about issues that affect us here in Sacramento. Much
can be learned about how the levees in New Orleans functioned, failed and need to be rebuilt. Those
same lessons need to be used to prevent such disaster here in Sacramento County. After returning to
California after the campaign it wasn’t long before Danial got involved with the local Obama campaign
for President. At this time, Danial is a member of the Sacramento County Central Committee as an
alternate for Ann Wangberg.
Currently, Danial is a state employee with the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability
Commission. The Commission was created when Proposition 63 was passed by the voters in 2004.
Danial plays a crucial role in setting-up and planning the meetings of the Commission all over the
state. The purpose of the Commission is to use the money generated by the proposition to transform
mental health services in the state. Danial’s work for the Commission helps achieve those goals.
When Danial isn’t working he enjoys traveling, catching a movie and going to the park with his wife and
13 month old daughter.
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