Los Angeles is a global city with a brand that is iconic around the world. As a global destination city, L.A. is truly a gateway to the rest of the world, and many of our residents hail from other countries. I love the diversity this brings to our city, but it also means we have a responsibility to be open and inclusive so everyone can feel at home here.

When you decided to move to the private sector after 20 years with the City, what made you choose ArchTam?

It was important for me to be at a firm that shared my values of transforming communities and empowering employees. I initially saw ArchTam as an engineering firm, and I’m not an engineer. But the more I learned about the variety of things ArchTam does, and its vision to bring these offerings together for the benefit of clients and communities; it became clear that ArchTam was the perfect place for me to be.

How important is transportation to L.A.?

Transportation is one of the ways we are going to propel this city forward, and it’s not just about the movement of goods and cars. It’s really about how we connect this region, and how we create opportunities for businesses to grow and for communities to thrive.

When I was in the Mayor’s Office and we were recruiting companies to come to Los Angeles, one of their concerns was always, how far will my employees have to live from the office, and how long will it take them to get there? It was something we always gave a lot of thought to: how we connect communities and make sure people can work and live where they wish, and still have a balanced quality of life. Transportation infrastructure is the key to becoming the city of the future, and a city of opportunities for everyone where they’re not limited by access to a particular region or community.

What does ArchTam see as the future of transportation infrastructure in L.A.?

While not losing sight of the challenges our clients are facing today, we’re also thinking about what L.A. is going to look like in the future. With the passage of Measure M, the region actually has resources to really push the envelope and think futuristically, to dream big and not be limited by, “Oh, we don’t have the finances, so of course we can’t do it.” Our starting point is, “We can do it, so let’s figure out what we want the future to look like.”

Are we going to have roads that can charge your cars, and how will autonomous vehicles impact our urban landscape? What do the streets of tomorrow need to look like, and how do we safely accommodate more pedestrians and bicycles sharing the roads? These are the things we’re thinking about now. Bring us your impossible, and we will make it happen.

What does ArchTam’s new TV commercial represent to you as a native Angeleno?

When I was an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, I participated in a mentorship program with students who lived in a city called Richmond in the East Bay. It was maybe 30 minutes from San Francisco. I remember talking to these kids, and many of them had never been to San Francisco. It was just a train ride, a BART ride across the bay, and yet many of them had never been there. The fact that their worldview was so narrow and so limited was heartbreaking. So thinking about what Metro has done here in L.A., and what we as their partner have helped them do, is inspiring. That access to opportunity and the ability to fulfill dreams is what the commercial illustrates, and I think the story is going to resonate with viewers. I think it will really help people understand why infrastructure is critical to their lives.

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What does this year’s IWD theme, “Be Bold for Change,” mean to you?

For me, being bold means saying “yes” and not shying away from the opportunities afforded me, including becoming deputy mayor of economic development for Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the United States, and more recently joining ArchTam to lead the company’s business in the LA metro area.

Being bold also means taking every chance to positively change people’s lives. Rarely does change come softly or accidentally. Working with bold women at ArchTam and at City Hall, I’ve seen how important it is to be intentional about identifying the next generation of diverse leaders, promoting them and advocating for their success.

In my experience, no matter how much someone says they want diversity, it’s easy to fall into what’s comfortable. Choosing differently matters, and we must lead boldly. When I participate in town halls or speak to groups of employees, I have young women whisper to me, “I’m so glad that you’re here.”

What inspires you both personally and professionally?

Community service is very important to me. When I was in high school, I opened a fortune cookie that read, “Community service is the key to your happiness.” I kept that fortune for years, and when it was time to apply for college, I taped it to the top of my application and wrote my essay based on that fortune.

When I started working, urban planning was a natural fit. My undergraduate degree was in sociology, where I learned about organizations and institutions and their challenges. I wanted to address those challenges, and urban planning gave me the tools. Being of service and transforming communities, particularly diverse communities, is what my life’s work has been about.

Where does your sense of service and community come from?

Growing up, my family was typical of many African-American families. We were strongly connected to our church and our community and always conscious of being part of something larger. There’s a parable that says, “Much will be required of the person to whom much is given.” I’m fortunate to have done well in my life, and in return, it’s my responsibility to reach behind me and pull others up.

Who are some of the people who have inspired your path?

My high school English teacher, Donna Hill, taught me to do things despite being afraid. During my junior year, I was vice president of a student club and the natural successor to be president my senior year. When I discovered I would need to run the meetings, stand up and speak in front of fellow students, I told Ms. Hill I couldn’t do it. Her response was: “Are you kidding me? You’ve worked so hard, and if you don’t do it, then that guy over there will.” She told me she would be there to support me, but that I WAS going to be president and run those meetings. As a student, I needed someone to believe in me, and she did. For many of us, she affirmed who we were as African-American students, and as women.

What does diversity and inclusion mean to you?

It means having people who bring different experiences, opinions and styles to the table. We tackle some really tough problems at ArchTam, and I want to have people who can approach challenges differently. Diversity helps us better reflect and understand our clients and their needs. If we’re going to build a better world, we need to better understand that world.

What advice would you provide young women entering the workforce today?

Be the MOST prepared person in the room. You may not be the smartest person in the room or have the best Ivy League credentials, but be the most prepared and willing to work hard.

What about advice to fellow women and male leaders?

For those of us in positions of leadership and opportunity, we have a responsibility to go beyond mentoring. Yes, it’s important to mentor, but what’s also needed is to actively engage and support people who work hard and have earned your advocacy. Find the people you’re willing to lay your reputation on the line for, and advocate on their behalf — push their resumes across the table, suggest them for the next opportunity.

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