Lydia Kou

Board Member

Lydia Kou has been an active community volunteer throughout her 28 years in Palo Alto. She first served on her neighborhood association, where she led the emergency preparedness program that was later adopted by the City of Palo Alto. Lydia has also organized community events celebrating the city’s rich cultural diversity, including Chinese Lunar New Year and Indian festivals such as Diwali and Holi.

A dedicated volunteer, Lydia regularly serves with La Comida, a nonprofit providing nutritious hot meals to local seniors.

Lydia served on the Palo Alto City Council for two terms (2016–2024), including a term as Mayor of Palo Alto. Following her public service, she joined Neighbors Abroad, where she looks forward to working with Evelyn Shimazaki, vice president of Tsuchiura.

Born in Hong Kong, Lydia spent her childhood in Sudan and later moved to Guam, where she completed high school and university. Raised by a single mother in an international environment, she developed a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and the value of hard work and community.

Lydia and her family have lived in Palo Alto since 1988. Her two daughters are proud alumni of Fletcher Middle School and Gunn High School. Together with her husband, John St. Clair III, Lydia works as a realtor, specializing in residential real estate sales, leasing, and property management. They live in Palo Alto with their dog, Massimo.