Area Planning Commissions

Steve Kang

Commissioner Kang is the Director of External Affairs for Koreatown Youth & Community Center (KYCC), which is a multi-service nonprofit organization providing a diverse array of direct social services ranging from affordable housing, mental health counseling, youth services, environmental services, and more. Mr. Kang holds a bachelor's degree from Columbia University and a master's degree from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). In 2016, Mr. Kang was honored by the Empowerment Congress as one of 40 Emerging Civic Leaders Under 40.

Maleena Lawrence

Commissioner Lawrence brings over 25 years of grassroots organizing experience and creative development to deprived communities, start-ups, studios and agencies where the demand to disrupt aligns with social good. She is the Founder and lead Creative Producer at Deep Rooted Entertainment Group, LLC, a boutique multimedia production company.

Gerlie Collado

Commissioner Collado leads grants, administration, and the Flow Fund for Climate Justice for the Panta Rhea Foundation. She has more than 20 years of experience with nonprofit direct service and grantmaking organizations in the areas of communications, artistic programming, community engagement, and grantmaking. Commissioner Collado has a master’s degree in arts management from the Claremont Graduate University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of San Francisco.

Amber Sheikh

Commissioner Sheikh is a nonprofit/social sector consultant with Thurlow/Associates where she tenaciously works to raise the capacity of organizations trying to solve the toughest issues facing Los Angeles. She is an active community advocate and serves on the boards of Social Venture Partners LA, Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, and Maternal Mental Health NOW. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of California, Davis.  

Araz Parseghian

Commissioner Parseghian has more than 12 years of experience in the real estate and mortgage lending industry and owns a company in this field. Previously, he worked in a corporate environment within the banking sector for 10 years prior to venturing into the mortgage industry. Commissioner Parseghian has a master’s degree in business administration from Woodbury University.

John Bagakis

Commissioner Bagakis has been a small business owner in San Pedro for the past 15 years. His restaurant has received numerous awards and recognition for being a generous community partner. He also serves on the Little Italy of Los Angeles (LILAA) Board of Directors and as Vice Chairman of the Board for the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce. He attended Cal State Long Beach.  

Esther Hatch

Commissioner Hatch is currently employed at the Los Angeles Unified School District. She managed the 2000 and 2010 Decennial Census operations for downtown Los Angeles and Torrance. Ms. Hatch has served on the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners (BONC) and the Neighborhood Council Review Commission.

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