Joan T. Buchanan (born October 4, 1952)[1] is an American politician and former Democratic Party public official and former school board member from Alamo, California.

Buchanan attended the University of California, Santa Barbara and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in economics in 1973.

[3][4] While raising her five children locally, Buchanan served for 20 years on the San Ramon Valley School Board, including 4 terms as president.

[4][5][6] Buchanan's budgeting and organizational development led to SRVUSD being ranked among the top 5% of all school districts in California.

[7] On March 18, 2009, Buchanan's hometown Congresswoman Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D CA-10) was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.