Mona Pasquil Rogers (born Simeona Fortunata Pasquil; April 3, 1962) is an American politician who served as the 47th and acting lieutenant governor of California from November 4, 2009 to April 27, 2010. Upon taking office, Pasquil Rogers became the first woman, Filipina, and person of Pacific Islander heritage to hold the role.[1]
In 2019, Pasquil Rogers was hired by Facebook as head of public policy for California.[3][4] Pasquil Rogers was appointed to the California State Personnel Board in 2019, and in 2021 was elected to serve as the board's vice president.[5]
Early life and education
Pasquil was born and raised in a Filipino family in Sacramento County, California.[6] Her father was a career social worker. When Pasquil was 12, she babysat for John Garamendi and his wife Patricia; Garamendi would later employ Pasquil in the office of the lieutenant governor.[7] She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Marymount College in Salina, Kansas.[8]
Upon Pasquil's appointment, she became California's first Asian lieutenant governor;[13] its first Filipino lieutenant governor;[13] its first female lieutenant governor;[14] and the first California acting lieutenant governor not to succeed to the position from the president pro tempore of the California State Senate.[15]
Later career
Pasquil Rogers went on to serve as California's Office of Emergency Services as a senior advisor.[16] In 2019, Pasquil Rogers was hired as head of California public policy by Facebook.[3][4] Pasquil Rogers was appointed to the California State Personnel Board in 2019, and was elected to serve as vice president for 2021.[5]