First Meeting of Regional Advisory Board

The first meeting of the new USC Center for Sustainability Solutions’ Regional Advisory Board was held on March 31, 2021 by zoom. Participants explored ways to advance USC’s sustainability goals and to create collaborations between USC and regional sustainability organizations.

The Board, made up of a diverse group of leaders and innovators in sustainability solutions, advises the Center on strategic directions and collaborations with regional partners. 

The meeting included an overview from Center co-directors Mahta Moghaddam and Detlof von Winterfeldt of current focus areas and research initiatives while Daniel Mazmanian, Chair of USC President Carol Folt’s Working Group on Sustainability provided insight into USC’s many sustainability programs.

Among the many topics discussed was the Center’s goal to support USC’s objective to become a preeminent partner for regional and international sustainability institutions from government, business, and NGOs to foster implemention of sustainability solutions.  The Board also considered how to best to include equity and justice in sustainability research.

REGIONAL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

David Abel

Business Consultant, Publisher

Bill Allen

President & CEO, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation

Jackie Birdsall

Senior Engineering Manager at Toyota North America

Daniel Doimo

Senior Partner at Blue Dots Partners

Lauren Faber O’Conner

Chief Sustainability Officer at Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti, City of Los Angeles

Minh Lee

GM, Energy and Environmental Services at Los Angeles County ISD       

Tim McOsker

Chief Executive Officer, AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles

April Sandifer

Program Manager at South Los Angeles Transit Empowerment Zone (SLATE-Z)

Nancy Sutley

Chief Sustainability Officer, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power