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Description
Background
Leadership matters. Diversity matters. Data matters. These three sentences are hardly news, but so often studies are limited to one of these areas alone or the intersection of only two of the three. This study was commissioned by the Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti to provide a databased analysis of representation by sex and race/ethnicity in Mayoral appointed positions of leadership in the City of Los Angeles.
Why This Matters
Diverse leadership is one indicator of an administration’s commitment to equity in its priorities and practices. Diversity means that a greater depth and breadth of experiences, perspectives, and values are reflected in decision-making processes. It also expands the way leadership relates to those within as well as outside each of their units. What’s more, the collective perspectives of those in leadership roles allows for broader awareness of new opportunities, economic or otherwise, and encourages more inclusive decision-making overall. Furthermore, diverse leadership attracts talent and promotes retention, as (future and current) employees and partners can see themselves and their values reflected in the leadership.
Methodology
To conduct this analysis, StudyLA received a list of the commissioners and general managers in the City of Los Angeles who have been appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti (286 commissioners and 38 general managers, or 324 appointees total). Demographic information was also provided in order to do an analysis of race/ethnicity and sex breakdowns. These data were compared against the city’s adult population pulled from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 2021 1-year estimates (released September 2022).
Publication Date
2022
Disciplines
Political Science
