Doris Matsui was born in Poston, Arizona. Matsui earned a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley in 1966. Her career experience includes working as a professional advocate, deputy assistant with the Office of the Public Liaison with the Bill Clinton presidential administration, and a staffer with the transition team for then-President-elect Bill Clinton. Matsui has served as a member of the board of regents of the Smithsonian and the chairwoman of the board of the KVIE public television station.
