About 211 LA

Maribel Marin, named one of LA’s top collaborative leaders by the Los Angeles Business Journal, is the Executive Director of 211 LA County, a nonprofit organization helping over 500,000 individuals and families in Los Angeles County each year access health and human services.

Under Maribel's leadership, 211 LA County has developed into a performance driven, award-winning customer service-oriented information hub that designs and implements public sector solutions. A strong believer in the power of technology and innovation to transform whole person care and service delivery, Maribel has led 211 LA to develop customizable and scalable solutions for Information and Referral (I&R) and service delivery organizations. Maribel has also pioneered cross-sector partnerships, bringing stakeholders to the table to develop collaborative solutions and new approaches to addressing some of the most complex social and health public policy problems.

Maribel serves as the current president of the California Alliance of Information and Referral Services (CAIRS),the current president ofthe statewide association of 211s, 211 California, and serves on California’s Aging and Disability Resource Center Advisory Committee.  A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Maribel’s background is in urban policy and performance management.  Prior to joining 211 LA County, Maribel worked with the Natural Resources Defense Council and the City of Los Angeles.

As COO of 211 LA County, Amy Latzer has led a transformation of the agency operations to focus on excellence in quality, productivity, and customer service in every aspect. Amy provides leadership and staff development expertise through coaching and training, monitoring and improving all service levels, program development, and maintaining communication for the multiple requirements of contract compliance. In 2014, Amy was awarded the Outstanding Quality Focus Award from Quality Assurance Training Connection, nominated by inContact.

Amy has an extensive background in contact center and operations leadership specializing in identifying symptoms, diagnosing root causes, and creating exceptional efficiencies, and building infrastructure without compromising quality. Prior to 211 LA County, she worked in various corporate contact centers and led business operations with a focus on process improvement, creating new business opportunities, and staff development.

Daniel Molina has been with 211 LA for 3 years, and has over 20 years experience in the social services/non-profit sector. Daniel’s background includes 10 years as an Organizational Development consultant. He also managed several statewide and countywide contracts/programs where he gained extensive knowledge of care coordination, Social Determinants of Health (SDoH), adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), evidence-based programs, and is a subject matter expert on issues related to father engagement, youth development, and trauma-informed care.

Laura Mejia has been with 211 LA for nearly 35 years, and is a legacy 211 LA employee - her mother was one of the original employees at InfoLine of Los Angeles.  Laura has vast knowledge and experience in the I&R field including case management, providing direct services, leading I&R Department staff, and securing accreditation by AIRS.  In her current role as Senior Director she is responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring processes to ensure contract compliance.  This position requires her to be involved with all aspects of the operations to meet contractual requirements and raise the level of service quality delivered to the residents of Los Angeles County.

Laura is an AIRS Certified Information and Referral Specialist (CIRS), and a Certified Resource Specialist (CRS).
 

As CRO of 211 LA,  Dr. Chris Mattmann provides leadership for generating future research directions and developing strategies for developing a data market around 211 LA County’s rich data holdings. Chris guides 211 staff and others in analyzing and interpreting 211’s wealth of data through ad-hoc research projects, studies and reports, and promotion of 211 LA’s data services and products. 

Chris has worked at 211 LA since 2008, helping to reimagine the agency’s internal customer call center data services and system. Chris also led the initial Google-like search development capability at 211 LA, and supported construction of a shared services architecture and technical capability that has contributed to mission success. 

Mattmann has made fundamental contributions to open source, to the development of NASA’s data processing missions, and to academia as a Professor in the Computer Science Department at the University of Southern California.

Andrew  Hart is an accomplished technologist whose practical experience spans many domains. Previously a software engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Andrew has since built and led software teams for both startups and non-profits. Andrew has a keen appreciation for software architecture, the power of open source software, and solving data challenges with applied technology.

As CTO of 211 LA, Andrew has expanded the reach of the agency’s software and its data by finding ways to package and expose its capabilities to third parties through APIs. Under Andrew’s tenure, 211’s transition away from developing internally-oriented tools and towards a more open, API-driven suite of services has gathered momentum and garnered attention. Andrew thoroughly enjoys finding ways to develop better software, and is deeply motivated by 211's goal of connecting people in need to the services that can help them the most.

Linda is an elected Trustee to the Board of Pasadena City College and represents the communities of San Marino, South Pasadena, and Temple City.  She was also elected to the California Community College Trustees Board by her peers across the State and is the Immediate Past President of that Board. 

Linda is a retired information technology professional.  Throughout her career, she has focused on utilizing technology to increase organizational efficiency and to improve service delivery to the public, as has served on various professional technology advisory boards.

Wah also has more than 30 years of experience serving on numerous boards, focusing on educational improvements, fair employment and fair pay issues for women, and awareness of Asian American Pacific Islander community issues.  She has served on various Task Forces for the Community College Chancellor's Office, Cal State University of Los Angeles Boards and Committees (Alumni Board, Charter College of Education, Business School Advisory), and the Pasadena City College President’s Asian American Pacific Islander Advisory

Katherine (Kate) is an owner and co-founder of one of L.A.’s premier government affairs firms, Collaborate. Since the firm’s inception in 2017, Kate has played an integral role in growing Collaborate into the thriving business it is today. 

In her role as a communications strategist and government relations consultant, Kate has helped countless businesses overcome regulatory hurdles and achieve government approvals to move forward with their projects and initiatives. For the past 20 years, Kate has worked for the City of Los Angeles and is passionate about giving back to the community that she was born and raised in which is why she was inspired to join the Board of Directors for 211 LA. Kate earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Loyola Marymount University, and later received a Master’s degree in international and Public Policy and Management from the University of Southern California.

Valerie Lynne Shaw, President of the Board of Library Commissioners, was appointed to the Board of five by Mayor Karen Bass in April 2023. With the City Chartered authority of the Los Angeles Public Library, she leads the commission that has the power to control its own funds and make and enforce all rules and regulations. Shaw's career has been marked by her unwavering commitment to public service and a tireless commitment to quality of life improvements through education and infrastructure, all for the betterment of residents throughout Los Angeles and California. 

She was appointed in 2015 by Gov. Jerry Brown to the Board of Governors for the California Community College System and served until 2023. The Board provides leadership and policy direction to the system’s 116 community colleges throughout California, serving more than 1.9 million students and representing the largest educational system in the nation. 

From 1996 to 2013, Shaw served as the president, vice president, and commissioner of the full-time, five-member L.A. Board of Public Works. The Board acts as the general manager of the Department of Public Works, with an annual budget of $1.5 billion and more than 5,500 employees. Shaw made history as the first commissioner appointed by three consecutive mayors and as the first African American woman Board President of the now 151-year-old Board of Public Works. From 2008-2013, Shaw also led the Mayor and Council-sponsored South L.A. Initiatives program, successfully investing more than $650 million into the community.

Born in Los Angeles to a family with a long history of public service, Shaw has a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Southern California and served as an adjunct professor in the Political Science Dept. from 2003-2012. Shaw is currently a board member of LA County 211, California Community Foundation's $60 million Centinela Medical Fund, the L.A. African American Women's Political Policy Institute, PV Jobs, and a member of the Wilfandel Club. 

John is a retired AT&T area vice president with extensive experience in public affairs, community relations, media relations, coalition building, and strategic planning. 

John witnessed the breakup of AT&T in 1984, which upheaved the telecommunications industry while also serving as an official Olympic sponsor for the 1984 Olympics. John managed the newly renamed Pacific Bell’s sponsorship, including handling all tickets, hotels, transportation, hospitality, and internal communications. 

Following his 32-year career at AT&T, John worked for the Weingart Center, a Los Angeles Skid Row transitional housing nonprofit organization. He has continued to excel in the non-profit world, volunteering for a variety of nonprofit boards focusing on education and health care.  John is a past president of 211 LA, Chair of  Via Care Community Health Center, Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Library Foundation, Treasurer of the Foundation for Los Angeles Community Colleges, and Board Member of Project Restore at the City of Los Angeles.  John has also been reappointed to the Los Angeles County Civil Service Commission.

Robert Liljenwall joined the 211 LA board in 2012 and is currently President. He joined the Board to support a worthwhile and important cause that can help and change human lives. Robert also served as president of the National Alliance for Mental Illness for two years in San Gabriel Valley.
 
In his professional career, Robert has been a teacher, consultant, writer, and speaker for over 40 years on marketing and branding. He has also served on the faculty of UCLA Extension as a Distinguished Instructor for the past 24 years. He has a journalism degree from San Jose State and an MBA from Pepperdine University.  
 
Robert has served as head of Advertising and Promotion for Disneyland, EVP for the RMS Queen Mary and Spruce Goose, Venue Press Chief for the 1984 Olympics, and editor and co-author of the leading textbook in marketing at retail. He currently provides marketing and branding counsel to many entertainment, leisure, and attractions projects worldwide, including Kuwait, Slovenia, and Saudi Arabia.  

Cora Jackson-Fossett is the managing editor and religion editor for the Los Angeles Sentinel and L.A. Watts Times newspapers.

Previously, Cora served 15 years as the public affairs director for the Los Angeles Department of Public Works, where she planned and implemented strategic communications programs. She developed and executed several award-winning projects and earned five L.A. Emmy nominations for producing public works DVDs. 

Cora retired in 2014 after 36 years of government service. She currently serves her community as a member of 211 LA’s Board of Directors, SEIU 721 Retirees Leadership Council, NAACP Beverly Hills/Hollywood Chapter Theatre Committee, National Association of Black Journalists, Crenshaw Manor Community Association, Mothers In Action and Brookins-Kirkland Community A.M.E. Church.

Councilmember Denise Menchaca was elected to the San Gabriel City Council in March 2017 and re-elected in November 2022. She enjoys the distinction of being the first Latina elected to the Council as well as serving as the first Latina Mayor from April 2020 to March 2021 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Prior to being elected as Councilwoman, her public service included serving as a San Gabriel Unified School District Board member for eight years and as a Los Angeles County Commissioner for Older Adults. She continues to serve in a variety of capacities. Her service and civic associations include: the San Gabriel Kiwanis Club, La Casa de San Gabriel Community Center, the National Women’s Political Caucus of the San Gabriel Valley, and the Chinese American Citizens Alliance.

With a diverse resume, Denise has a proven track record of leadership and Community involvement. She was named the Congressional Woman of Distinction for San Gabriel by Congresswoman Judy Chu, National Latina of the Year by the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, and received the Golden Apple award by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA

Michael has over 35 years of experience in the Human Resources field, with extensive experience in Union relations and systems management. A majority of his career was spent with Kaiser Permanente, where Michael served in several roles including Assistant Director of Human Resources, Director of Labor Relations, and Manager of Physician Human Resources. 

In this work, Michael negotiated over 25 collective agreements with 13 Unions, all accomplished with no work stoppages. He also directed the conversion of several legacy systems into one providing paperless processes for recruitment, credentialing, payroll, benefits and retirement for Kaiser Permanente’s physicians. Michael’s expertise allowed him to be appointed as Secretary to the Physician Retirement Committee, and provide counsel to the physician’s Board of Directors for all human resources matters.

Michael joined 211 LA’s Board of Directors as a member of the Human Resources Committee. He helped lead the recruiting and hiring process for 211 LA’s current executive team, and has continued his commitment to 211 LA, including serving two terms as President, in order to support the caring staff who provide vital health and human services assistance to the residents of LA County.

Trisha Murakawa – Finds solutions to even the most challenging problems.  

Principal and Chief Problem Solver for Murakawa Communications, Trisha Murakawa, has over 25 years of experience in strategic communications, public affairs, and project management, partnering with AEC professionals working in the built environment. Her clients include public agencies at the state and local levels of government. She has particular expertise in imparting controversial information about water, transportation, planning, and construction projects to public audiences and has extensive experience in large-scale construction for pipelines, subways, water wells, and public facilities. Trisha also serves as an elected member of the  El Camino Community College District Board of Trustees, where she represents El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and North Redondo Beach. She is married with two kids in college, an elderly grill cheese-eating fluffy yellow dog, and a demanding cute black and white-dotted cat. 

Anne Miles currently serves as an Account Supervisor at OPR Communications, a public affairs and government relations firm. Anne has a background in foreign policy, academia, and politics, including serving as the Political Director for the Yes on Propositions 1 & 2 campaign, and statewide ballot measures to fund affordable and permanent supportive housing. 

Prior to her current role at OPR Communications, Anne completed several internships in the U.S. Senate and for the State Department, worked as a defense contractor at the Pentagon, and attended Oxford University for a master's degree in International Relations and King's College London to complete her doctoral studies. 

In 2015, Anne returned to California with a desire to work on local issues. Anne has since worked with multiple non-profits including the Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing (SCANPH), and Hillsides Residential Treatment Services. Anne joined 211 LA’s Board of Directors in 2019 and enjoys engaging with non-profit organizations as it allows her to see the direct impact of her efforts in public policy. 
 

Virginia Tanzmann, a licensed architect in multiple states, retired in 2016 after more than 43 years of designing and managing projects in various projects, including transportation, cultural, education, medical, residential, industrial, water, retail, and institutional. 

For 20 years, she led her 100% woman-owned architectural practice, recognized as the largest woman-owned architectural firm in California and among the largest Women-Owned Firms in Los Angeles County.  She has a long-standing, sustainable design orientation to her work and is committed to modern, integrated design practices. Virginia has taught at the university level and retains licenses to practice architecture in California and Pennsylvania, where she has several current projects.

Virginia also maintains a life of community service. Her practice had projects that provided thousands of housing units for homeless and low-income individuals. Virginia is a past president of the YWCA of LA, Volunteer Center of LA, and 211 LA; and is currently past president of the Association for Women in Architecture Foundation and serves LA Metro on its Measure M Independent Taxpayers’ Oversight Committee.

In 2023, she launched Smitten Studio, a textile studio in her hometown of Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  She continues to split her time between there and her residence in Pasadena.