MEET TARYN PALUMBO
Shaped by Service
Taryn Palumbo is a parent, attorney, non-profit leader, and longtime Huntington Beach resident who is dedicated to commonsense solutions that strengthen local families, neighborhoods, and businesses. With deep roots in Orange County and a proven record of bringing people together to get things done, she’s committed to serving her community on the Huntington Beach City Council.
Taryn’s upbringing is rooted in the values of service, resilience, and responsibility. Her father built a military electronics repair business in Huntington Beach, at times sacrificing his own salary to keep the business afloat and his employees paid, while her mother spent her career as a juvenile probation officer, shaping Taryn’s understanding of justice and opportunity. Her family’s story is also one of perseverance: her paternal grandfather who immigrated from Italy through Ellis Island in 1939 and served in the Army during World War II, and her maternal grandmother who came from Nicaragua in search of a better future. Together, these experiences instilled in Taryn a deep belief in public service and the importance of giving back to your community.
Raised in Fountain Valley, right outside of Huntington Beach, Taryn attended Saints Simon and Jude Catholic School and later Mater Dei High School. Growing up, she trained rigorously in ballet, developing a discipline and passion for dance that she has carried into her work ethic. During college, she also worked jobs at BJ’s in Huntington Beach, South Coast Plaza, and Disneyland, and assisted in her father’s business, experiencing the value of hard work and connecting with people from all walks of life.
Leading Through Experience
After graduating from Loyola Marymount University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in biology, Taryn went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from Chapman University School of Law, excelling in constitutional and public policy courses and participating in an environmental law program in Kenya. Through an internship at the Orange County District Attorney’s office and seeing her mother’s work in juvenile probation, Taryn saw firsthand how the justice system can define the path of a young person’s life. That insight sparked her dedication to building a career focused on public service and civic leadership and making a difference for people.
Taryn began her career with roles in education, small business, policy, and community engagement at the Orange County Business Council, a local Chamber of Commerce, and Bolsa Chica Conservancy. She later moved to San Francisco with her husband, where she supported public policy and strategic partnership efforts at the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, building collaborative programs that linked small businesses, nonprofits, and civic leaders.
Returning to Huntington Beach to start her family, Taryn took the helm as Executive Director of Orange County Grantmakers, a regional philanthropic collaborative of foundations, businesses, non-profits and individual funders committed to improving lives. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its membership and operating budget, launched impactful equity programming such as the OC Equity Profile and the Leader-to-Leader network for nonprofit professionals, and grown its annual events from just a handful to more than 70.
Fighting for Community and OC Families
Taryn’s longtime commitment to service extends well beyond her professional work. She is the Incoming Chair of OC Forum, serves on the Board of the World Affairs Council, and is a member of the National Women’s Political Caucus OC, OC Hunger Alliance, Women in Leadership OC, and various county task forces centered on health and childcare. In Huntington Beach, Taryn also served on the Community & Library Services Commission.
As a proud product of Huntington Beach who is now raising her two young children in the same community she grew up in, Taryn is committed to preserving what makes this community special — strong schools, safe neighborhoods, and opportunities and respect for all.
Guided by a simple “just ask” philosophy, Taryn believes that progress starts when people have the courage to reach out, start a conversation, and seek solutions in partnership with others. It’s a mindset that has guided her life, from securing her first internships and job opportunities, to building partnerships between businesses, nonprofits, and government, and tackling tough local challenges by bringing the right people to the table.
For Taryn, “just ask” isn’t just about initiative, it’s about believing that every voice matters, that collaboration beats division, and that communities are strongest when neighbors are willing to step up and work for the future they want. Now, Taryn is running for City Council to carry that same spirit into City Hall and ensure that Huntington Beach remains a place where families thrive, businesses flourish, and neighbors come together.
