Rick Caruso

Founder and Executive Chairman, Caruso

Rick Caruso is a nationally recognized businessman, civic leader, and philanthropist best known for transforming the retail and mixed-use real estate landscape in Southern California. As Founder and Executive Chairman of Caruso, he has developed some of the country’s most successful open-air retail, hospitality, and residential destinations, including The Grove, Americana at Brand, Palisades Village, and The Commons at Calabasas. Over the course of his career, Caruso has built a reputation for creating community-oriented developments that integrate architecture, public space, entertainment, hospitality, and experiential retail. His projects are widely recognized for redefining urban placemaking and for emphasizing walkability, design excellence, public safety, and long-term economic vitality. Under his leadership, Caruso has become one of the largest privately held real estate companies in the United States. Beyond his business accomplishments, Caruso has played a prominent role in public service and civic leadership throughout California. He previously served as President of the Los Angeles Police Commission, where he led major reforms focused on accountability, public trust, and modernization within the Los Angeles Police Department. He also served as a Commissioner for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, helping oversee policy and governance for the nation’s largest municipal utility. Caruso is also widely recognized for his philanthropic and educational leadership. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Southern California and has supported numerous initiatives focused on education, healthcare, public safety, homelessness, and youth development across Southern California. Through the Caruso Family Foundation, he has contributed to organizations dedicated to expanding economic opportunity and strengthening local communities.A graduate of the University of Southern California and the Pepperdine University School of Law, Caruso began his career as a real estate attorney before launching his development company. He is widely regarded as one of California’s most influential business and civic leaders, known for combining entrepreneurial vision with long-standing engagement in public service and community development.