SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., August 27, 2025 –
The City of South San Francisco announces the upcoming retirement of Finance Director Karen Chang, effective August 29, 2025, marking the
conclusion of a distinguished career spanning more than 30 years in both public sector and private sector finance.
Chang joined the City in June 2022, bringing with her a strong background as a Certified Public Accountant and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance. Her career path included senior roles in the private sector before transitioning to public service, where she served in finance leadership positions for the cities of San Leandro, Pleasanton, and Pittsburg.
In South San Francisco, Chang oversaw a 16-member Finance Department responsible for treasury, budget, audit, and compliance functions, managing the City’s $385 million combined operating and capital improvement budgets. A strong advocate for fiscal stability, she maintained the City’s long-term financial forecast, provided regular updates on pension and post-employment benefit (OPEB) liabilities, and identified funding sources for strategic initiatives, including the City’s future enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
Chang led numerous initiatives to modernize and improve efficiency within the organization. She spearheaded the revamp of the budget process, increased collaboration among departments, and advanced the modernization of the business license tax structure, successfully placing a revenue measure on the 2024 ballot that gained voter support. Under her leadership, the City returned to earning the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award in FY 2023–24.
She also oversaw competitive procurement processes for selecting the City’s audit firm, tax advisory services, investment advisor, and ERP vendor, while regularly updating City policies and procedures to strengthen internal controls.
Reflecting on her time in South San Francisco, Chang said, “I’m truly honored for the opportunity to serve as the Finance Director for the City of South San Francisco for the past three years. I’m proud to have worked alongside a dedicated team of staff, and I’m going to miss being part of this vibrant community.”
In retirement, Chang looks forward to traveling and spending time with her family.
The Finance Director role will be filled on an interim basis by Drew Corbett, a highly respected and experienced local government professional.
The City of South San Francisco proudly remains The Industrial City, a reflection of its steel mill and ship building past, redefined to reflect the innovative, entrepreneurial, and industrious spirit which has made South San Francisco the Biotech Capital of the World, with 217 active biotech companies and growing. A vibrant community of 66,185 residents, South San Francisco enjoys a high quality of life with an extensive public parks system, active library and learning programming and a dynamic, engaged community making South San Francisco a great place to live, learn, work, and play.