I’m excited to share the news that beginning in January 2019, LACBC will have a new permanent Executive Director! After an extensive nationwide search, our team reached complete consensus, and nominated Eli Akira Kaufman as the next leader of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. A member and volunteer of LACBC for six years, Eli is a man of vision, and brings great energy into his new position. You’ll be hearing from Eli personally when he starts in January.
For the past six months, I’ve had one of the most fun and intense experiences of my life as I worked with LACBC staff and Board to transition into a new phase of growth. We have made strides in enhancing accountability and clarity between the staff, Board, donors, supporters, and other community agencies. We’ve reconnected with long-time supporters and community partners who have had our back for years, and worked to increase our visibility and accessibility in the community. I am proud of the strong organization that has emerged from this transition, and the exciting campaigns inspiring its future.
This organization is fortunate to be fueled by a knowledgeable and committed professional staff of eight that kept LACBC rolling forward, despite any and all challenges. They are wise, funny, dedicated, resilient, and operate as a great team. Our volunteer board members were also available throughout my tenure to guide and support me, to ensure that I had what I needed to help the organization thrive. They commit their precious spare time to helping LACBC meet its mission with governance and oversight. And finally, to you, our supporters and volunteers: thank you for your ongoing support, time, generosity and passion. Because of you, our streets are safer for those walking and biking Los Angeles.
Throughout my time here, LACBC’s staff has always remained focused on its guiding mission of making streets safer for bicyclists in Los Angeles County. Their dedication has inspired me, and I have learned a lot from all of you. It was an honor to bring my management and leadership skills to LACBC at a critical time in the organization’s history. The opportunity to contribute to the organization has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience on many levels, and I feel really good about handing off the leadership baton to Eli.
I don’t plan on saying goodbye to LACBC and will remain on as a volunteer, a supporter, and a friend. I look forward to the future of the organization and what you all can achieve in the world of active transportation. I have grown to really love and admire this amazing community of cyclists: you are so dynamic, and overall the nicest group of people I have had the pleasure of working with. THANK YOU.
– Janet Schulman