Dear Venturans,
I'm Naz Madaen, and for the last 21 years, Ventura has been my home. As a former business owner, school administrator, volunteer, and dedicated mother of three, I’ve witnessed firsthand the changes affecting our city. The Ventura we cherish is at risk.
Our voices must guide the policies shaping our future. Ventura deserves a City Council that prioritizes residents' needs over political agendas. Strengthening neighbor-to-neighbor relationships, engaging our youth to have a voice in their future here and increasing involvement in city decision-making are essential to preserving our culture so the Ventura we know does not slip away.
Our district is very diverse. It spans hillside communities, downtown, midtown, the Pacific View Mall, two hospitals, three parks, and a multitude of businesses all in between. While each area has its own specific issues, there are some broader issues that affect the entire district and ultimately our entire city. We still face the challenges of wildfire risks and preparedness, a new proposed trail system on our hillside whose impact on wildlife, traffic, and safety need to be evaluated, city development that is not in line with the spirit of Ventura, and the fate of an open or closed Main Street. All of these require thoughtful and holistic considerations, because while these issues start in District 2, how we address them will affect all of Ventura.
Vote Naz Madaen for City Council District 2. Only together, can we make a meaningful difference in Ventura. Let’s focus on real issues, effective solutions, and prioritize community benefit over politics.
Sincerely,
Naz
Q: Naz, you were born in Iran. Your journey from Tehran to Ventura is truly inspiring. How did your early experiences shape your desire to serve the community?
A: I was just 7 years old when I fled Iran, in the middle of the night with my family and only a suitcase to my name. We were on one of the last flights before the new government shut down the airports. As immigrants, we faced incredible challenges, from learning a new language to integrating into American society. Just a couple of years later, by default, I became the family interpreter having the responsibility to help my parents navigate this new world. I learned to learn quickly. I grew up with the business of adults as part of my regular life. These experiences taught me adaptability, resilience, and the importance of community support and how I can help others. I vowed to always be someone who would welcome others into the circle and help them as others had helped me. I’ve carried these lessons with me throughout my life, and they drive my passion for serving Ventura, the place I now proudly call home.
Q: After a successful career in the airline industry, what motivated you to shift gears and move into community service and politics?
A: The tragic events of September 11th were a pivotal moment for me. They made me reevaluate my life’s purpose, leading me to leave the airline industry after 8 years as a flight attendant and return "home" to California. Settling in Ventura and experiencing both its beauty and challenges deepened my commitment to this community. It was only natural for me to get involved, first through my philanthropy work with the National Charity League Juniors, the National Charity League Ventura chapter, my three children's schools, and now by running for City Council to address the issues that matter most to Venturans. I'm not a politician, nor do I aspire to be. My goal is to represent my community as a citizen.
Q: You’ve worn many hats, from flight attendant to makeup artist to school administrator. How do these diverse experiences contribute to your approach to leadership?
A: While seemingly unrelated, each of my diverse roles has contributed to my growth. As a flight attendant, I gained a global perspective and an appreciation for diverse cultures. My experience as a makeup artist and business owner taught me the value of listening, attention to detail, and effective business management. Standing in close proximity to clients on significant occasions, I learned to build trust, soothe nerves, while executing my tasks with precision.
Working in television and print production enhanced my collaborative skills, demonstrating how collective talent leads to shared success. My involvement with the National Charity League Juniors of Ventura County improved my communication and leadership abilities and highlighted the impact of community-driven efforts. Volunteering with my daughter with the NCL Mother Chapter, taught me humility and the importance of supporting underserved community members while encouraging the next generation to do the same.
Additionally, my time working with teenagers at La Reina High School was profoundly rewarding. Their fresh perspectives and maturity encouraged me to approach problem-solving with an open mind, balancing firm values with flexible execution. As a City Council member, I hope to establish a Junior Council comprising high school and college students to ensure their valuable voices are heard in shaping their city's future and to inspire them to participate in governance.
Q: Your campaign emphasizes addressing local issues like wildfire management, development, and affordability. Why are these issues so important to you?
A: First and foremost, having lived in Ventura for over 21 years, I’ve seen firsthand the threat and devastation caused by wildfires. When we lost our home in the Thomas Fire, we lost our center. It wasn’t about “things we lost”, it was beyond that, because home is a feeling of security that tethers you, a place to retreat to from the world. When that’s gone, it is very unsettling. Additionally, we spent years fighting our insurance company and appealing to our state lawmakers. I learned a lot through that process. The fight was hard. I would not want anyone to experience their home being threatened in any way. This personal experience fuels my commitment to improving wildfire management and making sure that not only District 2 residents are safe, but all of Ventura.
Second, growth is a healthy and necessary part of a community and its economy. We must always strive to better our city. The success of local businesses is critical in this plan. By reducing hinderances and actually incentivizing entrepreneurship we should make it easier to go through permitting processes and re-evaluate cumbersome taxes and fees.
Third, we can encourage healthy development that fits in with our community, culture, history, and our particular environment. But we must aspire for responsible development that feeds Ventura, not burdens it. Creating a body to work collaboratively to review and approve plans as they apply to architectural significance, aesthetics, quality, and community value, while creating a master plan for our infill development is essential in purposeful and responsible growth. Along with renderings, commercial building should put up story poles that will enable the community to visualize and "feel" what the proposed scale would be and how that affects their neighborhood.
This leads lastly to the topic of affordability; another critical issue because it directly affects the vibrancy and inclusivity of our community. We need to keep our city attainable for all of our residents across all income levels, and plan ahead so our children and their children can afford to stay here if they want to. Ventura must also be attainable for other first time home buyers and young families looking for a good place to raise their children. Our city is one of the last remaining generational communities, that is what gives it a rich history. To ensure our "community essence", development has to include ability to buy affordable homes. Creating more first-time homebuyer opportunities like townhomes and condos instead of more apartments, can produce a stronger community as people feel vested. But no matter if its apartments or townhomes, they MUST first be attainable by our own, local community.
Q: What makes Ventura such a special place to you, and how do you plan to preserve its unique charm as a City Council member?
A: Ventura is more than just a place to live; it’s a community filled with kind, genuine people who care deeply about their neighbors. Its natural beauty, from the coastline to the trails, combined with the down-to-earth spirit of the residents, makes it truly unique.
My goal as a City Council member is to balance growth with preservation. I want to ensure that as we develop, we maintain the character and charm that make Ventura so special. During the housing crisis around 2008, and then again after the Thomas Fire, many Venturans left. Now as Ventura becomes less attainable, more of our residents are looking to leave, and with them our history and culture. The Ventura that drew us here, is changing quickly. I don’t want to look back in a few years and not recognize our town anymore, so I’m standing up. Our voice, our City!
Q: Do you see yourself as a fighter?
A: No. I guess the right thing to say is, I do not want to fight but will ultimately protect what I love and what is right. I don’t like to see injustice. Those who know me, know I will always speak up.
Unfortunately, after enduring the incredible challenges in the aftermath of the Thomas Fire, we were once again forced into a new battle. Currently we are involved in a lawsuit with the Ventura Land Trust, our new neighbor in part of District 2. While we are dealing with our own personal battle with them, it wasn’t until I heard what my other neighbors were experiencing with them that caused me to run for City Council. Their voices were not being heard. Not by the Land Trust, not by the city. Protecting my home, means protecting my neighbors. It was time to stand up, I could no longer look away.
Q: What is the issue with the Ventura Land Trust?
A: In a quiet acquisition, The Ventura Land Trust bought a parcel of land in 2020 that was formerly Rancho Mariano and in 2025 they are due to recieve a $7M grant from the State of California . Previously, this hillside neighborhood along with the Hillside Conservancy, had championed to protect this open space especially from developers. Ultimately they were successful in keeping our hillsides open. When there were murmurings that a conservancy may be purchasing this property, neighbors were ecstatic. This would ensure our hillsides would be protected.
The work VLT has done in Harmon Canyon has been admirable. However, their plans for the Rancho Mariano property are very different. VLT has plans to put up fencing on property lines and create new trails that would be placed just 150 feet behind people’s homes. By their own account, they anticipate hundreds of new daily visitors on these trails.
These neighbors simply want to sit with the VLT to discuss their concerns, questions, and work together to ensure best practices. They want the same considerations given to those who were involved in the Harmon Canyon project.
What are VLT’s plans for parking, traffic control, security? How do the proximity of these trails to the homes affect wildlife corridors, habitat fragmentation and loss? How is VLT protecting hillside neighborhoods and conducting proper weed abatement to ensure fire mitigation concerns? How does their current plan affect our wildlife as well as hundreds of homes in the area? A recent bill, SB675, introduced by Senator Limon, encourages ecological grazing as a nature-based wildfire solution near communities. Why is the VLT opposed to that?
Remarkably, for their concerns, this community has been ignored and villainized. Asking for transparency from a private landowner who is using public funds for this project should not be politicized. After all, we would ask it of any other “developer”. The public was not a part of this land purchase discussion, but now, because public funds are being utilized, they must be a part of this conversation and most importantly part of the solution.
Q: Finally, what message do you want to share with the residents of Ventura as you campaign for City Council?
A: My message is simple: No Politics! Let's do what is in the best interest of our city, and not a certain few who gain personally from decisions made at City Hall.
You are what is important to me. Your vote is my ultimate endorsement. I’m your representative...here to listen, serve, and work tirelessly to make Ventura an even better place for all of us. This community has given me so much, and I’m committed to giving back by addressing real issues with effective solutions. But I need your help. Only together, can we continue to build a Ventura that we’re all proud to call home. Together. Remember, our City, our Voice! And…let’s get those roads fixed too!
