She received a degree in Social Work from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile,[1] and earned her Masters of Education Science from the Center for Advanced Studies (Centro de Estudios Avanzados) in Mexico.

An activist for the Partido por la Democracia, in 1994 Delpiano was named Minister of National Assets (Ministra de Bienes Nacionales).

She left the ministry in 1999 in order to work as the assistant executive director for the presidential campaign of Ricardo Lagos.

Delpiano, a personal friend of President Ricardo Lagos, was named Director-Minister of the National Women's Service (SERNAM), making its primary work on the issues of divorce and domestic violence.

In January 2007, Delpiano assumed the role of Intendant (governor) of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, replacing Víctor Barrueto.