FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 20, 2022

MEDIA CONTACT:
Claudine Battisti

UNITE-LA CELEBRATES PERMANENT LEADERSHIP AT CITY OF LOS ANGELES YOUTH DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

Experienced and committed partner to lead the City’s first Youth Development Department

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles City Council yesterday approved the confirmation of Lisa Salazar as the permanent Executive Director of the Youth Development Department (YDD). The following is a statement from David Rattray, President and CEO of UNITE-LA, on that confirmation:

"UNITE-LA is thrilled with Lisa's appointment, as executive director of the YDD, becoming permanent. As an education non-profit working closely with L.A. Mayor Garcetti's office, we have a long history with Lisa's extraordinary efforts in helping advance education equity and access for the underserved and unserved youth – from cradle to career – of Los Angeles," said Rattray.

"Ensuring Lisa continues to help us advance our goals of collaborative education improvement efforts, promotion of business-education partnerships and expansion of college access and workforce development opportunities to ensure youth have the opportunity to participate in Los Angeles' 21st century economy is a huge win for our city and its future," Rattray added.

Lisa Salazar commented, "Thank you, David, and the entire team at UNITE-LA. Your work as convener of the L.A. Compact and your impact in the region and across the state has improved the lives of countless young people pursuing life-defining education and career pathways. On behalf of the YDD, I look forward to strengthening our partnership, uplifting youth voices at every decision-making table, and accelerating our collective work to ensure the well-being and achievement of all young Angelenos. The pandemic has now amplified inequities in our communities and set back so many of our youth and children in devastating ways. The support of UNITE-LA will be critical to reversing and overcoming these challenges and charting a new path forward that is more equitable, resilient, and just."

###

About UNITE-LA
Over the past 25 years, UNITE-LA has been a trusted business intermediary, dedicated to supporting the development of an effective local public education system, so that all children and youth succeed in college, career and beyond. Through the intersection of programming, policy, and systems change efforts, UNITE-LA works to increase access to high-quality early childhood education, develop career pathways in high-growth industries, improve college access and success, and ensure workforce readiness, especially for individuals with high barriers into the workforce. Visit www.unitela.com.