Mayor Karen Bass picks new leader for Dept. of Neighborhood Empowerment

Mayor Karen Bass Friday announced Carmen Chang as her nominee to serve as the new general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Neighborhood Empowerment.

Following a nationwide search, Bass said Chang will drive a "bold and equity-driven vision" for the department, which oversees the city's neighborhood council system. She described Chang as an organizer who brings extensive experience with centering the voices of marginalized Californians and bolstering economic opportunities for these groups.

"Carmen will leverage her background in advocacy campaigns, grassroots organizing and coalition building across the state to lead the department into a new era of stronger neighborhood councils," Bass said in a statement.

She added, "I believe that Carmen's proven commitment to transparency, trust building and coalition building will help the department deliver on the charter's promise for neighborhood representation and begin a transformation that ensures that Angelenos are driving decision-making within their communities."

Bass' nominee will now be considered by the Los Angeles City Council at a future meeting.

Chang, who currently serves as the director of programs and organizing at Gold State Opportunity, a statewide anti-poverty organization, leads a team and administers a multimillion dollar budget to work with 40 nonprofits across the state. Together, they provide education and outreach to low-income Californians, and connecting them to job opportunities, public benefits and advocate on their behalf at the state and federal levels, according to Bass' office.

She also assisted in the full inclusion of California Earned Income Tax Credit for tax filers using Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers and health for all regardless of immigration status. Chang was described as an advocate for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in L.A.

"I am honored to be appointed to serve as general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Neighborhood Empowerment. I look forward to carrying out Mayor Bass' vision for a neighborhood council system that is inclusive and representative of the many cultures and the diversity of Los Angeles," Chang said in a statement.

Chang said her first priority would be to meet with neighborhood councils and build relationships with each of them. She said she also hopes to engage with and learn from department staff to develop a plan to increase community engagement in every corner of the city.

"Solving our greatest challenges and improving our communities must always begin with hearing the voices of community members," Chang said in a statement. "That is what we will do together."