L.A. Mayor Karen Bass Taps Michele Siqueiros ’95 for Advisory Team

Claremont, Calif. (January 18, 2023)—Pitzer College alumna and trustee Michele Siqueiros ’95 is making history as an advisor to Los Angeles’ first female mayor, Karen Bass. Siqueiros numbers among 103 members of Bass’ transition team—headed by civil and labor rights leader Dolores Huerta as co-chair—for the mayor’s first 100 days in office.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of the mayor’s transition team for the city I was born and raised in and love deeply!” said Siqueiros. “I get the opportunity to share expertise on local issues. I’m excited to help the mayor identify the best people to serve on her team and on the critical commissions and departments across the city.”

Transition team members come from the public and private sectors. In addition to Huerta, co-chairs include Monica Lozano, former president of College Futures Foundation and the former publisher and CEO of La Opinión; Dominic Ng, CEO of East West Bank; Steve Soboroff, a civic and business leader; and Yvonne Wheeler, president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. Siqueiros appreciates the diversity of Bass’ handpicked team.

“[Bass’] passion for cross-racial coalition building to include and lift up all communities is exactly what our city needs as we work to house the houseless, ensure equitable distribution of resources, strengthen economic opportunity, and establish the kind of public safety that protects and respects all community members,” said Siqueiros.

Siqueiros is the president of Campaign for College Opportunity, a California-based nonprofit policy advocacy and research organization committed to ensuring more students can attend and succeed in college by championing historic budget investments and policy reforms to improve opportunity and close racial/ethnic gaps in college going and success.

Siqueiros received Pitzer’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018 for her leadership in educational reform and opportunities for young people. A first-generation student at Pitzer, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political studies and Chicano studies (with honors) and earned a master’s degree in urban planning from UCLA.