Steadfast LA brings together best-in-class experts to develop the solutions that will get people back in their homes and rebuild as quickly and safely as possible
The organization will focus on outcomes and action. Serve as a way to ensure city, state, and feds have access to ideas, information, and resources to move aggressively and comprehensively
As a nonprofit, Steadfast LA will sit at the intersection of the public and private sectors, collaborating with the government to ensure this monumental rebuild is executed with urgency, efficiency, and a long-term strategic vision that revitalizes Los Angeles and inspires the entire nation
In response to the devastating wildfires that ravaged the Altadena, Malibu, Pasadena and the Pacific Palisades communities, displacing tens of thousands, Rick Caruso is bringing together Los Angeles’ most impactful business and civic leaders to launch Steadfast LA – a first-of-its-kind organization that assembles the expertise, influence, and power of the private sector to expedite the rebuilding of these communities and get residents safely back in their homes.
The magnitude of this challenge is simply too vast for the government to handle alone. This groundbreaking nonprofit will collaborate with local, state, and federal efforts to cut through delays, encourage action, and develop solutions by bringing together the brightest minds in real estate, finance, construction, infrastructure, and more to fight for the city and deliver results.
“Rebuilding these communities and getting people back in their homes isn’t just our responsibility – it’s our job, and we’re rolling up our sleeves to make it happen, full stop,” said Rick Caruso, Chairman of Steadfast LA. “This isn’t about meetings and paperwork. It’s about getting our hands dirty, breaking through obstacles, and physically rebuilding – brick-by-brick, street-by-street. Public and private collaboration at an unprecedented scale is what it’s going to take. Together, we can and will fix this. With the government providing the tools and the private sector bringing urgency, expertise, and hard work, we can cut through red tape, lay foundations, and make sure these communities don’t just come back, but come back stronger. This is more than a project – it’s a mission to prove that real leadership means results, not just promises.”
Steadfast LA will embark on a multifaceted strategy across five key pillars of focus to ensure efficiency, accountability, resources, and action:
- Infrastructure – Building stronger, smarter, and more resilient systems
- Rebuilding – Rapidly restoring homes, businesses, and communities
- Community – Strengthening neighborhoods and supporting displaced families
- Communication – Ensuring transparency and collaboration with the public
- Resilience – Implementing long-term solutions to prevent future devastation
Steadfast LA will address these pillars of focus through policy proposals, collaboration, and a purpose-built approach so that the enormous challenges facing the city and county today turn into action and results. The day-to-day efforts will be led by Steadfast LA’s Executive Director, Najla Kayyem, a real estate expert in the development, management, and operations of housing, retail and community; supported and initiated by an impressive team with experience building some of the most impactful places and spaces in the world to execute across the pillars of focus:
- Hon. Nicole Avant, Former U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas, Businesswoman & Philanthropist
- Andy Cohen, Gensler, Global Co-Chair
- Jack Dangermond, Esri, President
- Olivier de Givenchy, JPMorgan Private Bank, West Region Head
- Greg Econn, Venbrook Insurance Services, President
- Kobie Fuller, General Partner, Upfront Ventures
- Mike Hopkins, Amazon, Head of Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios
- Lew Horne, CBRE, President for Advisory Services
- Jason Keller, Oaktree Capital Management, Managing Director & Head of Residential Investments
- Joe Lonsdale, 8VC, Managing Partner; Palantir, Co-Founder
- Adam Mendelsohn, Upland Workshop, Founder and CEO
- George J. Mihlsten, Latham & Watkins, Of Counsel
- Harry Robinson, McKinsey, Senior Partner
- Ted Sarandos
- Carey Smith, Parsons Corporation, Chair, President, & CEO
- Corinne Verdery, Caruso, CEO
Steadfast LA intends to continue to grow its coalition and calls on business leaders, community members, and civic partners to step forward and join in fulfilling this bold and sweeping vision. As Chairman, Caruso will lead this effort and ensure that it maintains the operational autonomy to drive action and high-impact results that support the communities of Altadena, Malibu, Pasadena and the Pacific Palisades, laying the foundation for a thriving future.
Steadfast LA is about more than just rebuilding—it’s about creating a model for how government and private industry can work together to solve big problems. This effort is bigger than politics, bigger than any single agency or company. It’s about delivering real solutions, fast. For more information about Steadfast LA and to engage with its mission, visit http://www.steadfastla.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250203369190/en/
Contacts
Upland Workshop, SteadfastLA@uplandworkshop.com
