Buenaflor (Flor) Nicolas was born in the Philippines and became a South San Francisco resident in 1988 when she and her husband, with their two young children, immigrated to the United States. Her children are now raising her three grandchildren in the City the family calls home. Nicolas was first elected at-large to the City Council in November 2018 and as the District 3 representative in November 2022, becoming the third Asian American woman elected to the City Council, and only the fourth woman to serve in that capacity. She was installed as Mayor in December 2022.
Prior to her election as a councilmember in 2018, Nicolas had an expansive community and public service commitments as a volunteer to the City for over 30 years (see list below). Nicolas received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree from Mapua Institute of Technology in Manila and a Master of Public Health from University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her professional career includes more than 25 years in leadership positions at various biotechnology companies. Currently, she is Vice-President and Head of Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance at a Boston-based precision oncology company, Antares Therapeutics.
She had been passionate about empowering women and hosted the inaugural South San Francisco Women’s Leadership Conference in 2023 to create a safe space for women of all backgrounds to network, share experiences, and learn from each other. In March 2023, she partnered with the Asian American Recovery Services and many other community organizations to start the annual San Mateo County Sister-to-Sister Leadership Conference to provide a unique experience for middle and high school girls to build confidence patterned after the 30-year Santa Clara County program. In March 2026, she co-hosted with the SSFPD and SSFFD the Women in Public Safety Workshop to recruit more women in our public safety services.
For our youth, she made it possible for a member of our Youth Commission to become a member of the National League of Cities Council on Youth, Education and Families and provided the opportunity for him to help plan conference workshops, network with mayors and councilmembers, and share local perspectives on a national stage. In July 2026, she championed the participation of two local youth in the Sister Cities International Youth Leadership Summit in Washington DC, an immersive program for young leaders from across the globe to develop essential leadership and professional development skills to address global challenges, fostering a commitment to peace, mutual respect, and cross-cultural cooperation. In August 2026, through her efforts, a local youth won first place in a nationwide contest, America’s Field Trip, by sharing the youth’s perspectives on what America means to her and enabled her to earn an unforgettable field trip experience at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks.
For our seniors, she led the efforts for the City to be designated by AARP as an Age Friendly City and facilitated the completion of the Age Friendly Master Plan to benefit people of all ages and abilities (not only seniors) by adopting policies and programs that make neighborhoods walkable, feature transportation options, enable access to key services, and provide opportunities to participate in community activities.
List of Nicolas’ community and public service commitments include:
- All Souls Catholic Church Volunteer, 1988 – 2008
- SSF Day in the Park Committee Member, 2006-2011
- SSF Housing Authority Board Commissioner, 2006
- Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church Volunteer, 2008 - present
- SSF PAL (Police Activities League) Boosters, Secretary, 2008 -2019
- SSF Historic Preservation Commissioner, 2009
- SSF Conference Center Authority Board Commissioner served as Chairperson 2014-15 and 2022
- SSF Asian Alliance Founding Member, Treasurer, 2012 - 2019
- Kawayan Folk Arts, Founding Board Member
- Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center Board Member
- SSF Friends of Parks and Recreation, Member
- SSF Historical Society, Lifetime Member
- SSF Sister Cities Committee, Member
- SSF Chamber of Commerce, Member
- SSF Women’s Club Member
- Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) of San Mateo County, Chapter 44 Founder
2026 City Council Committee Assignments
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Subcommittee
- Homeless Outreach Team (HOT)
- SSF School District Liaison Subcommittee
2026 Regional Assignments
- Airport Land Use Committee (ALUC)
- America Supporting Americans (ASA)
- C/CAG Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC)
- City/County Association of Government (C/CAG) Board - Alternate
- Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) Board - Alternate
- San Mateo County Emergency Services Council - Alternate
2026 Ad Hoc Committees
- Age Friendly Task Force
- Holiday Decorations Committee
- Joint Advisory Committee of the Child Care Master Plan (JACCCMP)
- Sister Cities Committee