Cindy is a lifelong Angeleno raised in the Northeast San Fernando Valley. She is currently CEO of TreePeople, an LA-based environmental organization that has engaged more than 3 million people in making Los Angeles more climate-resilient and water-secure. TreePeople's environmental education programs impact more than a quarter million students per year.
Her love for the environment began with her family. Her parents ignited a passion for the environment when they pointed out environmental injustices in their neighborhood.
At the age of 25, Cindy was elected as the youngest mayor and councilmember of her hometown of San Fernando. At 28 years old, she made history by becoming the youngest woman elected to the California State Legislature, where she became a champion for the environment, sustainable urban planning and social justice.
Cindy then moved on to serve as Assistant General Manager at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, where she was a core part of the team transitioning the nation's largest publicly-owned utility to cleaner energy and a more sustainable local water supply.
Cindy is currently a Board Member for the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability.
Some of Cindy’s favorite things to do are to hike our local mountains, explore California and give back to Los Angeles.