At its meeting this week, the City of Cathedral City City Council voted to appoint longtime resident and nonprofit executive Christina Gordon to fill the vacant District 3 seat, bringing a seasoned public-service professional to the dais at a pivotal moment for the city.
Gordon was selected following interviews with finalists to replace the late Councilmember Mark Carnevale, who served the city with great distinction for many years. Her appointment comes as the council prepares to make several consequential decisions, including the hiring of a new city manager and, subsequently, a new police chief.
Gordon, who has lived in Greater Palm Springs for nearly nine years, brings more than two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, public policy, and organizational governance. She currently works as a senior communications executive and is also in her final year of law school. Locally, she has been deeply involved in the community through her service on the board of the Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City, where she has served as both a volunteer and board member.
In a statement to the council, Gordon said she was seeking the appointment because she believes her background aligns with what Cathedral City needs right now. She described herself as a consensus builder who has spent her career working with boards, government leaders, funders, and diverse communities to move organizations forward, even when difficult decisions or differing viewpoints were involved.
“This isn’t simply about filling a vacancy for me,” Gordon told the council. “It’s about my genuine desire to contribute to Cathedral City’s future.” She pointed to her experience overseeing budgets, managing executives, and ensuring accountability as skills that translate directly to effective city governance, particularly as the council prepares to select its next city manager.
Cathedral City councilmember Christina Gordon.
During the interview process, councilmembers posed the same two questions to the final candidates. The first asked them to identify the three most pressing issues facing District 3 and how they would address them during the remainder of the term.
Gordon acknowledged the challenge of narrowing the list but said her top priority would be helping the city seat a new city manager and appoint a police chief, calling those decisions foundational to everything else the city hopes to accomplish. She also emphasized the importance of community engagement, saying residents need to feel invited into city decision-making, whether through neighborhood meetings, outreach efforts, or public education. Her third focus, she said, would be quality of life, including thoughtful planning for the new community center and ensuring it serves residents across District 3 and the city as a whole.
The second question focused on the time commitment required of councilmembers, including meetings, preparation, and representing the city on boards and commissions. Gordon responded by highlighting her strength in time management and her flexible work schedule, noting that she has successfully worked across time zones for years. She told the council she is prepared to reprioritize her commitments, including stepping down from the Boys & Girls Club board if necessary, to ensure she can fully serve in the role.
“I understand deeply what this means,” Gordon said, referencing her own family’s history of public service. “I know what it takes to make the time, and I am eager to do that and to serve.”
Councilmembers praised Gordon’s experience, preparation, and clear understanding of the city’s immediate needs before voting to appoint her to the District 3 seat. Gordon has said she intends not only to serve out the remainder of the term, but also to run for the seat when it comes up for election later this year.
“I love this city and am proud to call it home,” she wrote in her application to the council. With her appointment this week, Gordon will now have the opportunity to help shape Cathedral City’s next chapter alongside her fellow councilmembers.
