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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Welcomes LaKenya Jordan as Executive Director
SACRAMENTO, CA (June 4, 2020) – The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls (CCSWG) has announced the hiring of its Executive Director. LaKenya Jordan was officially sworn in by Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis on May 28, 2020, after being appointed earlier in the month by the Commission. Jordan is a dynamic leader and a powerful connector between business, community, and policy work who joins the Commission prepared to lead in the midst of unprecedented times. Her appointment is effective June 1, 2020.
“The work of the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is so incredibly important, and I am thrilled that LaKenya Jordan has been appointed as its Executive Director. Her years of service in government and the private sector make her qualified for the job, and her leadership experience and dedication to her community will make her exceptionally successful in seeing through the Commission’s objectives,” said Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis.
Jordan served as Director of Legislative and Governmental Affairs at the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) for over three years and brings a wealth of experience navigating the legislative process. She’s viewed as a collaborator who brings to this role strong leadership and relationships with California’s executive branch, regulators, agency heads and external stakeholders.
She is the former Assistant Director of Legislation for the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, served as a member of the California Recovery Task Force under Governor Schwarzenegger and served as Special Assistant to the Chief Deputy Director at the California Department of General Services. Her track record in public service is matched by 15 years of private sector experience in business development, banking, and finance.
“We are very excited that LaKenya has taken on this role. We look forward to her leadership as the Commission forges a new path as the leading voice for ALL California women,” stated Commission Chair Dr. Alisha Wilkins. “Her experience in building collaborative partnerships, developing policy and legislation, and working with multiple state agencies is impressive. We are so excited to see where her leadership takes us.”
Jordan earned an Associate of Arts in General Science from Solano Community College, a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Organizational Management from St. Mary’s College, and a Master of Public Health from Touro University. She received Congressional recognition for her community work with breast cancer survivors and the notable Touro University “Heroes Award” for her work on several city and state health initiatives.
Mrs. Jordan is a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum, a graduate of the Leadership California Issues and Trends program, and an active member of California Women Lead. She has served as a She Shares mentor for three years.
“I am passionate about the uplift and empowerment of women and girls,” said Jordan.” This Commission was established to protect and advance women’s rights and to keep a pulse on the issues impacting women’s overall well-being. I am confident that working collectively with each of our dynamic Commissioners, as well as with the First Partner, the Lieutenant Governor, our statewide, local, and national partners, we are strategically positioned to lead and implement forward thinking, culturally sensitive and inclusive change that can last for generations to come.” Jordan said.
The Commission’s progress and growth of the last several years has been exponential. Now, as the world faces the COVID-19 pandemic, CCSWG stand ready to take a closer look at the ways the crisis has and will continue to affect women and their role in societies and economies worldwide. Women are at the heart of the response to this virus and are making critical contributions from every field and family. Jordan will lead the Commission’s efforts to ensure that women have a voice and a champion throughout the crisis and recovery.
“During this challenging time, the work of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is more important than ever. From moving the needle on closing the wage gap, to fighting for reproductive healthcare for all, to promoting new and innovative ways to support women and families in all areas of society; the effort to uplift the voices of women across the state and ensure their inclusion in what we rebuild and how we rebuild it is vital. The Commission is honored to welcome LaKenya Jordan’s vision into this effort and looks forward to her leadership at this critical time, stated Commission Chair Dr. Alisha Wilkins.
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About the Commission
The Commission on the Status of Women and Girls works in a culturally inclusive manner to promote equality and justice for all women and girls by advocating on their behalf with the Governor, the Legislature and other public policymakers, and by educating the public in the areas of economic equity including educational equity, access to health care including reproductive choice, violence against women and other key issue areas identified by the Commission as significantly affecting women and girls.
PREVIOUS RELEASES 2020
Welcome to New Commissioner Jihee Huh
We are thrilled to announce Jihee Huh has been appointed by Speaker Rendon to the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.
Jihee Huh is the Vice Chair of PAFCO and Co-Founder of Pete’s Seafood where she oversees company marketing, strategic planning and new business development. Educated in New York City, Commissioner Huh earned a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University. In 2012, she completed the Certificate Program at the Executive Harvard University for “Excellence in Not for Profit Governance.” She co-founded the Los Angeles Coalition Foundation Embrace Unity, which is a non-profit organization 501 C3 – supporting underserved scholars for diverse communities to learn about civic engagement and empowerment.
Commissioner Huh was recognized in 2007 by the US Congress for her work and support on the successful passage of House Resolution 121 which “Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the government of Japan should: (1) formally acknowledge, apologize, and accept historical responsibility for its Imperial Armed Force’s coercion of young women into sexual slavery (comfort women) during its colonial and wartime occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands from the 1930’s through the duration of World War II; (2) have this official and public apology presented by the Prime Minister of Japan; (3) refute any claims that the sexual enslavement and trafficking of the comfort women never occurred; and (4) educate current and future generations about this crime while following the international community’s recommendations with respect to the comfort women.”
Commissioner Huh serves as the Asian Pacific Islander Public Affairs Commissioner for State of California and is also an Active Life Trustee for public radio station SCPR where she has served as Chair of the Board. At Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles’ board, she has served as past Vice-Chair of the Saban Research Institute. She is on the NPR Foundation Board of Trustees as well as the director of The California Club. In 2018, she joined the Executive Committee member for Human Rights Watch of Los Angeles. She and her husband Peter are on the US Olympic Foundation Board. Commissioner Huh also recently joined the California Community Foundation Board of Trustees. She is an Executive member of Women Leadership Vital Voices and is an active participant of the national organization The Council of Korean Americans. In 2018, Commissioner Huh was awarded the Anti-Defamation League, Deborah Award.
The Commission on the Status of Women and Girls welcomes Commissioner Huh and looks forward to having her voice included in our work.
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Leading in Uncertain Times
The COVID-19 pandemic will continue to affect California in ways we can anticipate and ways we can not even imagine. Women, we know, are at the heart of the response to this virus, and are making critical contributions from every field and family. The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is committed to the effort to ensure that California’s women and families are represented and cared for throughout the crisis and our recovery. Please check out our COVID19 response page for resources and updated event information to assist you during this time.
