Alicia Aguirre sees protecting her city from sea level rise as a critical quality of life issue. As a member of the City Council of Redwood City, Aguirre has been involved in supporting and bettering her community across an array of issues. Aguirre is a Professor at Cañada College in the English Institute and the Spanish Department, where she has taught ESL, Spanish, and Latino Heritage.

Aguirre holds an M.A. from Eastern Michigan University and has done doctoral studies in Social Anthropology at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. In 2012 she was named Woman of the Year of the State of California 21st Assembly District.