Kimberly Ellis, the director of San Francisco’s Department on the Status of Women, is under scrutiny as she faces a vote this Wednesday night that could lead to her dismissal. This follows her placement on leave in March, according to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Background on Kimberly Ellis

Appointed in 2020 by former Mayor London Breed, Ellis has played a pivotal role in advocating for equal representation of women in city governance. Before her appointment, she led Emerge California, an organization aimed at supporting women candidates, also owning a consulting firm named Southern Belle Strategies.

Ellis has positioned herself as a significant figure within California Democratic politics, characterizing her role as the “most powerful unelected person” in the field.

Allegations and Investigations

Although the details remain somewhat unclear, investigations into Ellis encompass various allegations, one notably related to a conference she organized titled Shift Happens. In 2023, she allocated nearly $500,000 to the African American Art & Culture Complex for hosting the inaugural Women’s Policy Summit, where she notably endorsed then-Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Senate campaign.

While city employees can express support for political candidates, they are prohibited from using city resources to promote them. Following the summit, questions arose when Ellis began receiving payments from PowerPACPlus, a political action committee that backed Lee, without disclosing this side income to the Department of Human Resources as city protocol requires.

Contracts and Financial Concerns

The controversy escalated when it was revealed that Ellis awarded a $128,000 contract to PowerPAC.org, the nonprofit affiliate of PowerPACPlus, a mere year before accepting payments from them. This nonprofit was responsible for producing media content for local political figures, a decision that faced criticism due to lack of competitive bidding.

In the following years, costs associated with the Shift Happens summit significantly increased, reaching $700,000 for the 2024 event contracted to Ignite National. Ellis defended this decision by asserting that Ignite was uniquely qualified for the project despite no formal bids being offered.

Work Environment and Retaliation Claims

Reports indicate that Ellis fostered a work culture described by former employees as intimidating, leading to significant turnover within her department. Since her tenure began, the agency has seen 17 employees depart, with 10 being hires from her time in office. Currently, the department operates with only eight staff members.

In response to the allegations, Ellis maintains her innocence, asserting that she has not engaged in any misconduct. On April 1, she filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming retaliation linked to her reporting of sexual misconduct in a foster care program.

Next Steps

The upcoming vote regarding Ellis’s position will be closely monitored, with implications not only for her career but also for the reputation of the Department on the Status of Women. The outcome of this vote could signal a significant change in the agency’s leadership and approach to issues affecting women in San Francisco.