Written by Kristin Borden | 2026 | May Issue | Photos courtesy of Jacki Bacharach
Some women help define the character of an entire region, their impact reaching far beyond their own neighborhood. For Jacki Bacharach, that influence spans the Palos Verdes Peninsula and the entire south Bay of Los Angeles, where she built a life centered on family while helping guide the growth and future of the communities so many call home.
Finding Home on the Peninsula
Jacki arrived in Palos Verdes as a new mother, her oldest child just two weeks old, knowing virtually no one. What followed was the kind of story that defines the Peninsula at its best. Through organizations like the league of Women Voters, the Coordinating Council, and the Friends of the library, she built not only a network, but a true sense of belonging, one that would extend to her children and, decades later, still holds strong.
Her days were filled with family life that so many Peninsula parents recognize: carpools, after-school programs, sports, and neighborhood friendships that turned into lifelong bonds. Whether it was AYSO soccer, gymnastics, or the STEP program, her children were immersed in a community that valued participation and connection. Today, those same “neighborhood kids” remain so close that they still gather, traveling from across the country to reunite, a testament to the foundation built here.
A Lifetime of Service to the South Bay
At the same time, Jacki’s commitment to community extended far beyond her own household. What began as volunteer involvement during school hours gradually evolved into a remarkable career in public service. As her children grew, so did her role, serving on the rancho Palos Verdes Planning Commission, then City Council, and eventually taking on regional leadership that would influence the future of the entire South Bay.
Her work helped shape critical initiatives that residents benefit from every day, from preserving coastal access through parks and trails to contributing to the development of southern California’s transportation systems. Her long-standing leadership with the South Bay Cities Council of Governments reflects a vision that extended well beyond the present moment, always with an eye toward the generations to come.
Read about how the SBCCOG hosted its 26th Annual General Assembly.
Director Connie Hay presenting Jacki with the Inspiration Award.
At the Heart of It All
That perspective guided her decisions both at home and in public office. Whether reviewing city plans, working on regional transportation, or helping to preserve open space, she approached every challenge with the same question in mind: What kind of future are we creating for our children and grandchildren?
Balancing it all was no small feat. Like so many mothers, she navigated the constant juggle, coordinating carpools, attending school activities, and managing the everyday details of family life, all while preparing for city meetings and community initiatives. A strong support system, including a devoted husband and a close-knit network of other parents, made it possible. But it was her belief in civic responsibility that made it meaningful.
She instilled that same sense of responsibility in her children, along with values she still holds close today: integrity, empathy, respect, curiosity, and an appreciation for the life they were fortunate to live on the Peninsula.
Looking back, Jacki does not point to a single achievement as her proudest moment. Instead, she reflects on a lifetime of contributions, from major regional infrastructure projects to local initiatives like recycling programs and transit services. But above all, she returns to family.
When Motherhood and Service Become One
“Motherhood changes everything. You are no longer just living for yourself, you are planning for the future for your children. It is not easy to juggle it all, but it is incredibly rewarding to help shape the community where you live and raise your family.”
On this Mother’s Day, her pride is clear: a family that has grown from five to include spouses and six grandchildren, all still connected, still gathering, still grounded in the same values that shaped their early years.
Her advice to women today is both simple and powerful: get involved. Be part of shaping the community where you live. Your voice matters, and your perspective is needed.
It is a message that feels especially fitting on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, where community has always been at the heart of daily life. For Jacki Bacharach, that community was not only where she raised her family, it was where she helped build a legacy that continues to benefit generations.
And in the end, that may be the most meaningful reflection of all: a life where motherhood and service were never separate paths, but one and the same.
And yet, for all of her accomplishments, Jacki speaks most passionately about motherhood.
To learn more about the SBCCOG and its impact across the South Bay, click here.
