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Dr. Suja Lowenthal, Councilmember
Career Public Servant Dr. Suja LowenthalDr. Suja Lowenthal, 36, believes that “Public service is not an option in our family and generations before ours. It is our obligation.” Suja not only practices what she speaks, she has made a career as a public servant out of it. As Councilmember for the Long Beach Unified School District, Suja works around the clock to introduce new legislative passages for the betterment of her city. Learn more about Suja's success, how she uses transparency to make a deeper connection with her community and what she's got in store for the future as we feature her in this week's Young and Professional Profile.
Website
www.longbeach.gov/district2
www.votesuja.com
Name
Dr. Suja Lowenthal, Councilmember
Age
36
Hometown
Kottayam, Kerela, India
Current residence
Long Beach, California
Education
USC, Doctorate in Planning & Development, 2002;
Cal State University, Los Angeles, MBA, 1996;
UCLA, Bachelors in Economics, 1991.
Work Experience
City of Long Beach, Councilmember, 2006 - present;
Water Replenishment District of Southern California, Chief of Strategic Planning & Initiatives, 2005-present;
Long Beach Unified School District, Elected Board Member;
Central/West Basin Municipal Water Districts, Government Relations Manager;
Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney, Domestic Violence Unit Coordinator;
Los Angeles City Department of Aging, Management Assistant;
Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, Customer Services Representative;
Bank of America, Financial Services Representative
Ethnicity
Indian
About your career
I am a newly elected Councilmember in the city of Long Beach after having served as President of the Board of Education of the Long Beach Unified School District. "Career" seems not so well suited a term for this post, but "career public servant" does strike at my heart strings. My five-year service on the Board of Education was extremely gratifying from an education policy standpoint. However, being a councilmember has allowed me to strike a balance between public policy and true delivery of public services.
Most notable milestones
- The birth of my son 4 years back.
- Election to the Board of Education 2001
- Introduction and passage of domestic partner benefits for LBUSD's 10,000 employees.
- Introduction and passage of a Facilities Masterplan for LBUSD's 96 facilities
- Election to the City Council 2006
- Introduction and passage of a Parking Improvement District/Parking Infrastructure Masterplan
- Introduction and passage of anti-cruising ordinance
- Introduction and passage of Marriage Equality Resolution
- Hosting the former Mayor of Bogota, Columbia to address a core group of individuals involved in planning and development regarding mobility and city making.
- Introduction and passage of City's Mobility Plan for the 2006 General Plan Update
- Introduction and passage of Downtown Visioning Team to develop a "guide for development" for the city's urban core.
- Introduction and passage of a "Visioning Process" for the Queen Mary Ship and surrounding 45 acres of land.
What's your niche?
There is something within my entire being that people can identify with because I am very open about my culture, experience, exposures, background and thoughts. This level of transparency allows individuals to find a piece they can relate to and thus begins the dialogue. The district I represent is the most diverse district in the city - ethnically, economically, socially. Having constituents relate to me in a personal way allows me to facilitate the coexistence of such diverse sectors.
What's the biggest challenge?
Poverty.
What's in store for the future?
I have a tremendous love affair with my city. For as long as she will have me, I will continue in my public service.
Who would you like to be contacted by?
Anyone.
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Best way to keep a competitive edge
Although, I am highly competitive, it is not a conscious state of being. I do not know how to advise on maintaining the "edge". If it works, then you know you are there.
Guiding principle in life
"You must be the change you want to see in the world" - Gandhi
Yardstick of success
If the changes or improvements I bring about continue to evolve and give benefit beyond my tenure.
Goal yet to be achieved
Meaningful mixed income/affordable housing policies.
Best practical advice
"As long as you derive inner help and comfort from anything, keep it." - Gandhi
My interpretation of this is - if it works for you, great; don't knock it. If something works for someone else, don't judge it.
Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture
"Chart new courses and set your own standards. If you blunder, it is par for the course."
"There's something about Suja..."
Mentor(s)
Helen Tamayo - L.A. City - for giving me a start and for providing patient tutelage.
Penny Hurley & Angela Kirkwood - L.A. City - for driving me to go back to school for advanced degrees.
Earl Thomas - L.A. City Attorney's Office - for hiring the unknown from a field of experts and shepherding me on how to forge ahead in a discipline where only experts exist.
Senator Alan Lowenthal - my father-in-law - for being the intelligent and compassionate policy maker I hope to be some day.
What motivated you to get started?
Public service is not an option in our family and generations before ours. It is our obligation. I started as a neighborhood organizer, living in downtown Long Beach with my family. As the issues grew in importance and consequence, I was thrust in to meetings with elected policy makers and completely dissatisfied with the level of service and commitment to developing good public policy. I lost a major initiative with my neighborhood coalition against a large development project and decided I had to be at the table to affect real change. From there, I ran for public office in 2001 and won a seat on the Board of Education.
Like best about what you do?
The one-on-one interaction with constituents.
Like least about what you do?
Trying to find common ground with those that are on the mere pursuit of power without ideological content.
What advice can you give to others interested in a career in government?
A career in government should be more about public service than career stability. To be truly devoted to the delivery of services and public policy, we must perform at a level no less than what is needed to survive in the private sector.
Best advice from my father-in-law on running for office - "run like you are losing even if you are the incumbent."
At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A doctor (of course).
What was your first job?
Store clerk for Savon Drugs at age 15.
“A career in government should be more about public service than career stability. To be truly devoted to the delivery of services and public policy, we must perform at a level no less than what is needed to survive in the private sector.” Biggest pastime outside of work
Reading.
Person most interested in meeting and why?
Vandana Shiva, author/leading voice in the struggle for global justice and sustainability. I would like to learn from her how as a policy maker, I can make a dent in poverty.
Two interesting facts about yourself
1. Fear of heights, but lived in a high rise for years; still afraid.
2. Fear of open waters, but learned to dive to help overcome it. Have worked in water policy for 8 years; still afraid.
Three characteristics that describe you
1. Honest
2. Trustworthy
3. Indignant (in a dignified way)
Three greatest passions
1. My family.
2. Justice.
3. My work.
Favorite book
May You be the Mother of One-Hundred Sons by Elisabeth Bluemiller.
Favorite cause
Justice
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