Governance Reform Task Force

Brian Calderón Tabatabai brings a powerful combination of municipal governance experience and deep-rooted social justice advocacy to the Los Angeles County Governance Reform Task Force (GRTF). As a former Mayor in the city of West Covina, Brian led with transparency, equity, and accountability, prioritizing the needs of working families, essential workers, and historically marginalized communities.

During his time in office, Brian advanced housing justice by championing interim supportive housing and pushing for union-built affordable housing for teachers, nurses, and public safety personnel. He also played a pivotal role in infrastructure investment in historically ignored areas of the city and promoting environmental sustainability through community-centered planning. His leadership reflected a commitment to inclusive governance that delivered measurable outcomes.

Brian's dedication to public service is deeply informed by his lived experience and family legacy of activism. A lifelong advocate for equity, he has been at the forefront of movements for educational justice, labor rights, and immigrant dignity. He was one of the authors of El Monte Union High School District’s Ethnic Studies curriculum and remains a vocal advocate for academic freedom and the rights of underserved students.

Appointed by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, Brian joins the GRTF to help guide the implementation of Measure G. His work on the Task Force centers community voice, elevates transparency, and ensures county structures reflect the diversity and dynamism of LA’s 88 cities and unincorporated areas.

With a background in teaching, public policy, and grassroots organizing, Brian Calderón Tabatabai is committed to building a more accountable, participatory, and just county government.

Derek Steele serves as the Executive Director of the Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI), an Inglewood-based nonprofit that advances community well-being through education, health equity, housing justice, and policy advocacy. With a background in electrical engineering and a career rooted in social change, Derek brings a systems-thinking approach to community transformation—centering equity, lived experience, and community leadership.

Under his leadership, SJLI operates in over 30 coalitions and collaboratives across Los Angeles County and serves as an anchor institution in several of them. The organization is a key partner in regional campaigns for racial justice, education reform, youth development, housing and reentry support, and civic power-building. Derek has played an instrumental role in efforts related to Measure J, the Care First Community Investment (CFCI) initiative, and the creation of Sankofa Place—a mixed-use development that will include SJLI’s new headquarters and 120 units of affordable housing.

In addition to leading a robust direct service portfolio, Derek actively supports community-based systems change. SJLI is a core partner in nonprofit sector alignment efforts led by the Center for Nonprofit Management and regularly facilitates civic engagement efforts that mobilize underrepresented residents in budget processes, voter engagement, and participatory planning.

As a representative of the community-based organization sector on the Governance Reform Task Force, Derek brings a deep understanding of how public systems can work more equitably when designed in partnership with community. His work spans grassroots leadership development to high-level policy design, and he is committed to embedding community voice, transparency, and racial equity into the governance infrastructure of Los Angeles County.

Sara Sadhwani is an award-winning political science professor at Pomona College and served on the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, which successfully redrew congressional and state legislative districts in 2021. On the commission, Sara served as rotating chair and headed Voting Rights Act compliance efforts.

Her research has been widely published in academic journals and examines voting, elections and responsive representation with a focus on Asian American and Latino voting behavior. Her analysis of elections has been featured in The New York Times, the Washington Post, & CNN and she regularly provides commentary for local SoCal outlets. 

 Sara earned her doctorate in political science from the University of Southern California and has held fellowships at Stanford University and the Harvard Kennedy School. Most recently she was involved in the passage of major governance reforms for both the city and county of Los Angeles, including Measure G. Her most important position is as mom to three amazing school-aged kids.

Marcel Rodarte is the Executive Director of the California Contract Cities Association (CCCA), where he has served since July 1, 2016, as the organization’s third executive director. Under his leadership, CCCA—California’s second largest local government association—represents 80 member cities and nearly 8 million residents across Los Angeles County and beyond.

A dedicated public servant with deep roots in local government, Marcel previously served as Mayor and City Councilmember for the City of Norwalk from 2011 to 2016. His tenure was marked by a focus on community engagement, fiscal responsibility, and regional collaboration. He stepped down from elected office to accept his current role, continuing his mission to empower cities through advocacy, education, and partnership.

Marcel brings over two decades of service in the U.S. military, retiring from the Air Force in 2011 following a distinguished 21-year career split between the Navy (4 years) and Air Force (17 years). He also served the federal government in various capacities with the Air Force, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security.

His commitment to civic leadership extends beyond his professional role. He has served as a Los Angeles County Commissioner for both Veterans Affairs and Consumer Affairs and was appointed to the Los Angeles County Blue Ribbon Commission on Homelessness, where he worked to develop actionable solutions to one of the region’s most pressing challenges. Marcel currently serves on the Contract Cities Liability Trust Fund Oversight Committee, helping cities manage risk and improve public safety outcomes.

Marcel holds associate degrees in logistics and electronics, a bachelor’s degree in business management, and a master’s degree in leadership from the University of Southern California.

A resident in Duarte California since 1985, John served as a Duarte City Councilmember from 1987 through 2020, and represented San Gabriel Valley cities as an appointee to the 14-member Los Angeles County Metro Board of Directors from 1993 through 2020.

First elected as a councilmember in 1987, Mr. Fasana represented the people of Duarte and five times served as the city’s mayor. During his tenure, John and his colleagues helped the City of Duarte successfully establish a graffiti abatement program and build a teen center. Mr. Fasana and his colleagues built new parks, a performing arts center, built a senior center, established an effective anti-gang strategy without implementing an injunction, and developed access to regional bicycle trails. These leadership actions reinforced Duarte’s reputation as the “City of Health”. Mr. Fasana is an advocate for youth and worked with City of Hope to establish a summer program for Duarte students, served on the Duarte Education Foundation and local YMCA boards, and with his colleagues adopted the Youth and Family Master Plan consisting of 66 action steps to promote the wellbeing of Duarte youth and families.

John represented the San Gabriel Valley on the Los Angeles County Metro Board since Metro’s inception in 1993 through 2020 and served as Metro Board Chair in 2001-2002 and 2016- 2017. During his tenure on the Metro Board, John tirelessly worked with his colleagues in Sacramento and Washington DC on behalf of Los Angeles County to obtain several billion dollars for critically needed multimodal congestion relief projects, including establishment of Metro Express Lanes. These voter-approved high priority transportation projects have created thousands of jobs within Los Angeles County and improved Los Angeles County’s economic vitality.

Mr. Fasana served on the Board of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (COG) since its inception representing 31 cities and over 2 million residents working together to solve regional issues. As Chair of the COG Transportation Committee, John provided policy direction that led to creation of the Alameda Corridor-East (ACE) Construction Authority that builds rail grade separations in the San Gabriel Valley to facilitate safe freight movement out of the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports. Mr. Fasana’s policy direction also led to establishment of the Foothill Extension Construction Authority Board that built the Gold Line light-rail and the extension to Azusa that began serving customers in March 2016. The line will extend to Pomona in 2025. John served as Metro’s representative on the Foothill Extension Board.

In 2015, John retired from his Regulatory Project Manager position with Southern California Edison after 35 years of service. John retired from his position on the Duarte City Council in 2020. In 2021, the California Transportation Foundation recognized John as the 2020 “Elected Official of the Year”. Since leaving office, John has been active in the Rotary Club of Duarte and recently serve as President. He is a graduate of Whittier College.

SEIU 721 President and Executive Director David Green is one of Los Angeles’ most passionate, committed, and effective labor leaders. Throughout his more than 20 years with Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, Green has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of working families in California and beyond.

As both a social worker and a longtime member of the SEIU Local 721 Executive Board, Green brings a unique and complete perspective to the challenges facing California’s working families, a perspective informed by his direct experience working with thousands of families, as well as his advocacy in the L.A. County Hall of Administration, the capital in Sacramento, and nationally in D.C.

Having previously served as Vice President of SEIU Local 535 and Treasurer and Vice President of SEIU Local 721, Green became the President of SEIU Local 721 in June of 2021, where he now leads more than 100,000 members. SEIU 721 is one of the largest and most dynamic unions in the country, and Green oversees all daily operations, including a staff of more than 200 and an organizational budget of $50 million.

Green also serves on the International Executive Board of SEIU International as Vice President. In addition to his work as a social worker and union president, Green is an adjunct professor at California State University Los Angeles School of Social Work in their Graduate school and previously served for 12 years on the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association as a Trustee on the Board of Investments.

Derek Hsieh serves in several elected positions and on committees. These include serving as the Chairperson for the Coalition of County Unions (AFL-CIO) representing approximately 15 independent unions and their 35,000 members in common labor agreements with the County of Los Angeles. He is also active as Executive Board Vice President and member of the budget and finance committee with the Los Angeles Federation of Labor, which represents 880,000 members. Derek recently completed service on the Los Angeles Quality and Productivity Committee and has experience with Los Angeles County bodies regulating employee medical benefits, pretax savings and other benefits. 

Derek also serves as the Executive Director of the Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS). ALADS represents more than 8,000 sworn Deputy Sheriffs and District Attorney Investigators.  

Prior to taking over ALADS in 2024, Derek honorably retired after a two-decade career in law enforcement. There Derek had a wide variety of operational assignments, at the ranks of police officer and sergeant, while also running the local law enforcement union and serving in various regional labor roles. Derek entered law enforcement after serving in the US Army and is a proud graduate of Ranger Class 12-89. 

Derek’s civilian education includes undergraduate degrees in economics and accounting.  Additionally, Derek has completed his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and earned the SHRM-SCP certification. He also enjoys continued formal studies in human resources and organizational management.

As a labor activist, pastor, former City Councilmember, and current Long Beach Harbor Commissioner, Steve brings years of experience and applied knowledge in serving the public, navigating complex governmental bureaucracies, and developing real solutions that reflect the needs of the greater public.

Steve brings over two decades of public service on boards and commissions. He served Long Beach as a Workforce Development Commissioner from 2006-2010. He was the Long Beach City Councilmember representing District 9 from 2010-2014. From 2016-2020, he served as chair of the Long Beach Measure A Citizen Oversight Commission. From 2017-2019, he was a Long Beach Transit Commissioner. In 2021, he was named to serve on the Reopen Long Beach Commission following Covid in 2020. In 2019, Mayor Robert Garcia appointed him to the Long Beach Harbor Commission, where he currently serves as Secretary.

Steve has served as a board member on the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and California Contract Cities. He currently represents the Port of Long Beach at the Gateway Cities Council of Government on the Transportation Committee and Executive Board.

Steve is the Director of Outreach and Civic Engagement for the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. In this role, he builds alliances with community partners, non-profits, and clergy to address the needs of their shared constituencies.

Ordained to ministry, Steve is currently the Senior Pastor of LIFE Gospel Ministries in North Long Beach.

Gabriela Gironas (they/them) is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and a leading voice at the intersection of music, tech, and the creator economy. The child of Bolivian immigrants, Gironas has spent over a decade championing empathy-led partnerships and building platforms for underrepresented creators to thrive. Their career spans powerhouse brands like YouTube, Reddit, Fender, Human Re-Source, and Q&A, as well as mission-driven organizations like Keychange U.S. Currently, they serve as Senior Director of Creator Strategy at Wasserman and as the Founder of Cool Shit, Cool People—a boundary-pushing creative agency focused on elevating the next wave of talent and tech. 

At Wasserman, Gironas has led creator strategy for global brands like Google Play, Taco Bell, Pinterest, Samsung, and more—developing scalable frameworks that help brands identify, activate, and collaborate with creators across platforms. Their work blends talent development, data-driven decision-making, and culture-first storytelling to drive meaningful impact and real results. This role continues a decade-long track record of launching breakthrough fan campaigns and building artist careers—whether it’s crafting a re-release strategy for Julia Michaels or growing ANGEL22’s following from zero to 10 million. From BTS billboards in Times Square to redefining K-pop rollouts, Gironas has helped shape strategies for both global stars and emerging icons alike—including Lauv, Jensen McRae, Madilyn Bailey, Moses Sumney, Jada Kingdom, and more. 

Beyond their day-to-day, Gironas is a respected voice in advocacy and inclusion across the music and tech industries. They led the U.S. expansion of Keychange and launched its flagship talent development program for female, trans, and non-binary creatives—earning the Music Business Association’s Agent of Change Award. Gironas currently serves on the Board of Directors at Industry In Spanglish and Keychange U.S. and holds the role of Global Chair of Diversity, Inclusion & Community at Women In Music. A dedicated mentor through SheSaid.So and BPI’s Grow Tech Incubator, Gironas also speaks globally at SXSW, Reeperbahn, Sound City Liverpool, Music Tectonics, Music Biz, PopOut! LA, ASCAP Experience, and more—helping shape the future of inclusive leadership in music, tech, and the creator economy. 

Needless to say, when tech and entertainment are navigating their crossroads, Gironas can always be found, ready to lead others with compassion and exuberance. 

Julia Mockeridge, PT, DPT is a dedicated Los Angeles County employee and resident of unincorporated East Los Angeles. She is a healthcare provider with a passion for government and community engagement. She is a skilled physical therapist who shifted from clinical care with the Department of Health Services into a policy role where she served as Health Deputy for Supervisor Janice Hahn. Julia returned to the Department of Health Services as the Director of Integrated Therapy Services to continue her passion for access to healthcare for the residents of Los Angeles County.

Julia earned a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from California State University, Northridge and received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from University of Southern California. As a physical therapist, she specialized in acute rehabilitation for neurological conditions and COVID-recovery. As a lifelong advocate for equity, Julia has been involved in many projects and initiatives that center underrepresented and marginalized groups. 

Outside of her professional roles, Julia is engaged in local organizations that aim to provide health and safety for the community of East Los Angeles. She also volunteers on multiple boards and committees that focus on accessibility for people with disabilities. Julia’s personal achievements include graduating from Hispanas Organized for Political Equity’s 2025 Regional Institute, completing ten (10) Los Angeles Marathons, and becoming a kidney donor in 2021. 

As an At-Large Member of the Governance Reform Task Force, Julia hopes to engage the residents and communities across Los Angeles County in the implementation of Measure G.

David Phelps is a lifetime resident and business owner in the San Fernando Valley region of the City of Los Angeles. As the only business owner and resident of the San Fernando Valley on the GRTF, David will bring his entrepreneurial know-how and spirit to the Task Force. A State and Local Public Affairs Professional and Principal of The Palomino Group, David has 25 years of hands-on experience in non-profit management, business consulting, and organizational efficiencies.

For David, the County is the largest and most understood level of local government. He looks forward to working with fellow Task Force members and the business community to guide the implementation of the most significant reform of L.A. County government in 75 years. David believes the GRTF represents a second chance to make a first impression with constituents who have long felt disconnected from one of the most influential county governments in the Nation.

His work in the business sector is reflected in numerous positions with advocacy organizations, where he serves as chair of the United Chambers of the San Fernando Valley’s Government Affairs Committee, a Board member of the Valley Industry & Commerce Association, and as Executive Vice President of the Northwest Valley Chamber of Commerce. David has worked extensively with small owner-operated businesses and large manufacturers to help resolve complex and sensitive issues impacting the business community. As chair of his Chamber’s Manufacturing Roundtable, David regularly works with top employers in the North Valley’s manufacturing sector to address future workforce and economic development needs in the region.

David is also a co-owner of Chatsworth-based We Can Be Heroes Comics and Collectibles, a minority-owned retail business that specializes in comics, trading card games, and home to Abyssmal, an in-house multi-media company. WCBH is one of the fastest growing comics and collectables businesses in the Los Angeles region.

Mr. Phelps completed his master’s coursework in Public Administration at California State University, Northridge, and has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the same institution. David also currently serves on CSUN’s Alumni Association Board.

Rosa Soto is Executive Director of the Los Angeles General Medical Center Foundation, Inc. and The Wellness Center at the Historic General Hospital on the campus of Los Angeles General Medical Center in the Boyle Heights community of Los Angeles, California.  During her tenure, the Foundation has grown to establish strong programs and services, fiscal sponsorships and partnerships in community.  Her work has enabled referral pipelines and partnerships with more than 50 non-profit partners to help the community address food access and housing evictions, health and healthcare access, domestic violence and mental health.

Ms. Soto is a leader for children's rights and community health and has trained more than 500 community women and mentored more than 50 young women to develop their own voice and advocate for change in their communities.  She received the Women's Commission 37th Annual “Women of the Year” Award for the First Supervisorial District in 2022.  She leads the Health Innovation Community Partnership, a health equity table, established a Board of Supervisors Motion authored by Supervisor Solis, in 2017.  HICP’s work has led to the passage of over a dozen county policies including transitional/permanent supportive housing, the restorative care village, local and target hire, the reuse of General Hospital and comprehensive community benefit policies.  Additionally, Ms. Soto sits on the Measure J, Care First Community Investment (CFCI) initiative.

Ms. Soto is a first-generation Latina from very humble but hard-working Mexican parents. She grew up in Los Angeles' communities of East LA and Lincoln Heights and later South El Monte often experiencing systemic injustices and health adversities. She was the first in her family to attend college, earning a B.A. in political science and international relations from the University of Southern California.  

As part of the Governance Reform Task Force, Ms. Soto is an At-Large member representing an unincorporated community.  She believes that her experience in non-profit, policy and community-based organizing as well as her 20 years of residence in an unincorporated community gives her a unique perspective in addressing reform, representation, and transparency on behalf of LA County residents.

Ms. Soto is profiled in the Emmy Nominated movie, Food, Inc.    In addition, she has been recognized by SGV YWCA Woman of the Year in Children's Health and the White House and First Lady Michelle Obama's Drink Up! Campaign for her work in childhood obesity prevention.  She is most proud of her family and of being a mother to three incredible young people.

Nancy Yap is the Executive Director of the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE), a nonprofit advancing the political and civic engagement of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) leaders. She brings over 20 years of experience working in API communities, with expertise in strategic planning, community partnerships, curriculum design, facilitation, and leadership development.



Nancy has run small businesses in telecommunications and artist management, representing spoken word and hip-hop artists, including performers from the Tony Award-winning Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry Jam on Broadway. At Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP), she served as Vice President of Development, where she facilitated corporate and nonprofit executive training.



Outside of CAUSE, she serves on the City of Los Angeles Board of Building and Safety and remains active in Little Tokyo as a former Neighborhood Council President and co-founder of two community programs.