Deana Mesa

Business Development & Events Director

Deana Mesa is the Business Development & Events Director for the Los Angeles Business Council (LABC). Prior to the LABC, she worked in nonprofit development for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Alzheimer’s Association. Deana received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Jonathan Harris

Programs & Development Manager, LABC Institute

Jonathan Harris is the Programs and Development Manager for the Los Angeles Business Council Institute (LABCi).

In this role, he develops and manages the Institute’s public policy initiatives around housing and transportation, workforce development, and sustainability in Los Angeles. He also manages the LABC Small Business procurement project and the Institute’s marquee grant initiatives, including efforts to expand grant and donor fundraising.

Before joining the Institute, Jonathan worked ten years in government relations in Washington, DC as a senior policy analyst, including eight years as Assistant Director of Policy and Government Affairs at American-Israel Public Affairs Committee. He previously served as a reporter for TIME magazine in Jerusalem and New York, and as an editor with the Middle East Forum in Philadelphia.

Jonathan received a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Illinois and did graduate study at Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Emily Ortiz

Business Development & Events Associate

Emily has been with the LABC for almost 3 years, starting out as an Events and Communications Intern. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Political Science from California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Leilani Sinclair

Development Consultant, LABC Institute

Leilani Sinclair has served as Development Consultant at the LABC/LABCi for the past 16 years. Currently, she oversees LABCi’s grants portfolio, assisting the organization in securing and stewarding support from leading philanthropic corporate and foundation companies and organizations including the 11th Hour Project, the Rosalinde and Arthur D. Gilbert Foundation, JP Morgan Chase Foundation, Bank of America Foundation, Wells Fargo & Company, California Community Foundation and more.

In the political arena, Leilani has operated as finance director for campaigns that include LA’s most effective and outstanding public servants including former California Senate pro Tempore Kevin de León, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn and LA City Council President Herb Wesson. She has also raised millions of dollars for ballot measures and independent expenditure campaigns for term limits, ethics reform and reduced gang violence in the City of Los Angeles.

Leilani received a Bachelor of Arts in History from University of California, Los Angeles and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute.

Rory Stewart

Policy and Program Associate, LABC Institute

Rory is the Policy & Programs Associate for the LABC. He helps to lead the Council’s clean energy campaign work and develop the policy outlook for the three pillars of LABC focus: energy & environment, housing & transportation, and economic development. Previously, he worked as a community and campus organizer for CALPIRG and Environment California, building support and running public interest and environmental campaigns. He received his bachelor of science degree in psychology from Roosevelt University and his master of science degree in environmental health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Carla Marsh

Membership and Administrative Director, LABC

A Los Angeles native, Carla Marsh has served as the Membership and Administrative Director at The Los Angeles Business Council for the last 5 years.  In her position, her focus is on renewing and identifying new LABC members, as well as supporting the financial, personnel and the administrative matters for the office. Prior to the LABC, Carla worked in Human Resources for Providence Health Systems in Torrance, California, for 5 years.

Kandace London

Business Development & Events Manager, LABC

Kandace London is the Business Development & Events Manager for the Los Angeles Business Council (LABC). In this role, Kandace is tasked with strengthening strategic business and organizational relationships, as well as planning and executing LABC’s marquee events including the Los Angeles Architectural Awards, attended by more than 500 leading building owners, architects and developers together with city officials and international partners in LA County and abroad. She also manages the Architectural Awards and International Trade committee.

Kandace manages the LABC’s International Trade arm, helping organize and oversee trade delegations with LABC partners including Mexico City, Mexico; Auckland, New Zealand; and Guangzhou, China.   

Kandace received her Bachelor’s degree and her Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California

Rachel Levy

Communications Director, LABC

Rachel Levy is the Communications Director at Los Angeles Business Council.  She has been with the LABC for almost 5 years working her way up to Communications Director.  Prior to the LABC, Rachel interned as a Legislative & Research Aide for a Wisconsin State Assemblymember.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Rachel received her Bachelor degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Adam Lane

Vice President, Programs, LABC

Adam Lane is the Vice President of Programs for the Los Angeles Business Council (LABC). In this role, he oversees the LABC’s government affairs strategy and public policy priorities in the areas of clean energy, economic development environmental sustainability, homelessness, housing, and transportation. He also manages the LABC’s Legislative Affairs, Energy & Environment, and Housing & Transportation Committees.

Adam leads implementation of grant initiatives around increasing solar deployment for building owners and improving economic and environmental equity in disadvantaged communities throughout Los Angeles.

He also plans and manages the annual Mayoral Housing, Transportation & Jobs Summit and the Sustainability Summit, both events drawing over 500 attendees in-person and 1,000 via livestream.

Adam received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Northridge and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the University of Southern California.