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Sheriff Christina Corpus announced Thursday in a news release that she has hired Maggie Cornejo, a Redwood City planning commissioner, to serve as the executive director of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Activities League.
The SAL program is intended to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and youth residents to help prevent juvenile delinquency.
Cornejo joins the Sheriff’s Office during a chaotic time for the agency, as an investigation commissioned by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors found that Corpus’ tenure has allegedly been plagued by “lies, secrecy, intimidation, retaliation and abuses of power.” Corpus has continued to deny the accusations in the investigative report amid calls for her resignation by local, state and federal lawmakers.
County residents will vote on March 4 on a ballot measure that, if passed, would amend the county charter to give the Board of Supervisors the power to remove her from her post.
“I’m honored to serve as SAL’s next executive director, as my entire career I have been driven by my passion to create opportunities for youth,” said Cornejo in the Jan. 2 press release. “I’m proud to serve under the leadership of Sheriff Corpus and excited to hit the ground running in our pursuit to change lives.”
Before taking on this role, Cornejo was appointed to the Redwood City Planning Commission in June 2024. She also served as the government and community relations director at the Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula from February 2023 to February 2024.
Cornejo, who was raised in the unincorporated community of North Fair Oaks, was positively impacted by SAL programs growing up, according to the press release from the Sheriff’s Office.
Cornejo previously served as a legislative aide and community outreach specialist for former District 4 Supervisor Warren Slocum for seven years, according to her LinkedIn profile.
She ran to fill Slocum’s District 4 seat after he termed out but was beaten by East Palo Alto City Council member Lisa Gauthier and East Palo Alto Mayor Antonio López in the March 2024 primary for the post. Cornejo was endorsed by Corpus during her run. Cornejo was not immediately available for comment on her new position.
Cornejo has previously said that her work in Slocum’s office included aiding the Middlefield Road Improvement Project in North Fair Oaks, helping to create COVID-19 vaccine clinics and working to get community murals installed.
The SAL was founded in 1997 by the late San Mateo County Supervisor and Sheriff Don Horsley. According to the SAL’s website, the program has reached nearly 80,000 youth in San Mateo County. The SAL operates in 12 locations throughout the county, including four locations on the coastside and a location in North Fair Oaks.
SAL programs include tutoring, health and wellness programs, leadership development programs and recreational activities such as sports leagues and dancing.
