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Coolest in LA, a Climate Resolve 15-year celebration

Let’s come together and celebrate our history as we build a better future.

It’s hard to stay cool when we have just experienced the hottest temperatures on record. The climate crisis forces us to examine the grave impacts of severe storms, temperature extremes, and drought in Los Angeles and communities around the globe.

Climate Resolve’s wide range of pioneering programs have continued to tackle climate change for over 15 years.

From paving the way for cooler streets in Pacoima, to installing smog-eating cool roofs in the Watts and Wilmington communities, we build collaborations for change and champion equitable, innovative solutions to remedy a global problem with local action.

We must continue the momentum to improve climate resilience and health outcomes. Let’s rise together to create a cooler LA and beyond – please join us at Coolest in LA.

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Thursday, March 27, 2025
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

More than 400 leaders, community members, and advocates will come together to celebrate local climate achievements, and Climate Resolve’s 15-year anniversary, for one unforgettable evening.

Your Impact

Thank you for joining us to celebrate our Honorees’ and organization’s accomplishments toward creating a just, equitable future! Your contribution directly supports cutting-edge strategies to combat the climate crisis.  

 

Sponsorships / Advertisements

To sponsor the event or purchase an advertisement in our awards journal, choose from one of the available benefit packages below and contact us at development@climateresolve.org.

Emcee

Senator Henry Stern

Henry Stern
California State Senate
27th District

Championing Environmental and Community Resilience Dedicated environmental champion and Angeleno, Senator Henry Stern proudly represents the 27th Senate District, spanning from Los Angeles to Ventura County. First elected in November 2016, Senator Stern has been at the forefront of legislating sustainable practices and protecting California’s natural resources.

Legislative Achievements

Climate Legislation: Most recently, Senator Stern authored SB 261 and co-authored SB 253, landmark climate laws that establish the nation’s first requirements for large corporations to publicly disclose their greenhouse gas emissions, carbon embedded in supply chains, and climate risks. These efforts contribute significantly to his legacy of combating climate change and protecting vulnerable communities.

Wildfire Resilience: After the devastating 2018 Woolsey fire destroyed his home, Senator Stern authored the Wildfire Resilience through Community and Ecology Act (2021). This legislation led to the creation of Governor Newsom’s CA Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force, which identifies high-risk buildings in wildfire-prone areas and enhances fire-safe building standards.

Environmental Justice: A fierce advocate for environmental justice, Senator Stern has taken on the oil and gas industry to protect his community and the environment. He led efforts to close down the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility, site of the largest recorded methane leak, and pushed for increased disclosure requirements for toxic acid treatment procedures used in drilling operations.

Leadership Roles

Senator Stern currently serves as the Chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies, overseeing California’s carbon neutrality efforts and supporting the acceleration of resilient climate infrastructure. He also serves as the Senate’s Ex Officio member to the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

Senator Stern also serves as a member of three standing Senate Policy Committees: Judiciary; Natural Resources and Water; and Energy, Utilities, and Communications.

Personal Background

Senator Henry Stern’s unwavering dedication, expertise, and legislative achievements make him a respected advocate for the environment and a leading force in California’s pursuit of sustainable and resilient practices. A former educator and environmental attorney, Senator Stern attended public schools through K-12, received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University, and earned his law degree at UC Berkeley. Raised in Malibu, California, he now lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.

Honorees

Janisse Quiñones

Janisse Quiñones
Los Angeles Department of Water & Power
Chief Executive Officer & Chief Engineer

Janisse Quiñones is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the nation’s largest publicly-owned water and power utility. She leads the organization of more than 11,000 employees, delivering water and power to the four million residents of Los Angeles.

Ms. Quiñones has over 25 years of leadership experience as a senior executive in utility and engineering industries and joined LADWP from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), where she first served as Senior Vice President of Gas Engineering and then as Senior Vice President of Electric Operations. In the latter, she oversaw electrical system operations and the power generation fleet, as well as the management of electrical assets that support the California Independent System Operator.

Prior to PG&E, Ms. Quiñones served as the Vice President of Gas Systems Engineering for National Grid, where she managed the engineering and design of natural gas distribution, transmission and infrastructure projects for National Grid’s U.S. territory, and oversaw various meter compliance, design and construction projects.

Ms. Quiñones’ experience also includes serving in the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), both full-time and in the reserves since the 2004, including as a Commander and as Deputy, Planning and Incident Management. She is an active USCG Reserve Officer and has held prior key leadership roles at Cobra Energy, including Vice President of Operations, responsible for the restoration and reconstruction projects of the transmission and distribution electrical systems in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. She also held several leadership roles at San Diego Gas & Electric, including Director of Design, Planning, Construction and Vegetation Management.

Ms. Quiñones was born and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico, and attended the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Campus, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (Magna Cum Laude). She holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Advanced Studies in International Relations and is a licensed Professional Engineer in five states. She is a proud wife and mom of five and a 14-year-old puppy.
Thomas Wong

Thomas Wong
City of Monterey Park
Mayor & Councilmember

Thomas Wong was elected to the Monterey Park City Council in November 2022 and served as Mayor from February to December 2024. Born and raised in Monterey Park, he is the son of immigrants from Taiwan and Burma/Myanmar and is the first person of Burmese heritage elected to office in the United States.

Prior to his election to the city council, he served as an elected board member of the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District for a decade (2013-2022), including seven years as board president (2015-2022), where he spearheaded the district’s first Integrated Resources Plan, initiated the district’s community grant program, and helped direct millions of dollars in support for critical water infrastructure and water efficiency investments.

During his term as Mayor, the city adopted its first comprehensive Sustainability Plan to chart a course to net-zero climate emissions by 2045 and adopted a new Economic Development Strategic Plan, engaging the community around strategies to ensure a vibrant local economy in the years ahead.

Thomas has worked as a public affairs and public policy professional for more than fifteen years, including as a staff member to then Assemblymember Mike Eng and former California State Controller Betty Yee. He currently works in public affairs and government relations for Southern California Edison, one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, where he helps advance clean energy, climate, and grid infrastructure policies and projects.

Thomas is also recognized for his leadership in the wider region, including through his service on the boards of Climate Resolve, the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership, the San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust, the Southern California Association of Governments, and Nature for All.

Villaraigosa

Antonio Villaraigosa
Co-Chair and Partner
Actum

Antonio Villaraigosa is a respected voice in American politics and a prominent policymaker with a keen understanding of America’s mainstream and emerging communities. Known for his exceptional skill at building broad bi-partisan coalitions, he draws support from the broad center of progressive Democratic and Republican voters. 

 

In 2013 Mr. Villaraigosa finished his two terms as 41st Mayor of the City of Los Angeles, after eight years of major strides in transportation, crime reduction, infrastructure, energy and resource sustainability, right-sizing government, business development and education reform. 

 

Prior to his election as Mayor, Mr. Villaraigosa served as a member of the Los Angeles City Council from 2003 to 2005. From 1994 through 2000, Mr. Villaraigosa served in the California State Assembly as Democratic Whip, Majority Leader and Speaker of the Assembly. He was a member of President Obama’s Transition Economic Advisory Board, the 2012 Chairman of the Democratic National Convention and President of U.S. Conference of Mayors. 

 

Mr. Villaraigosa also has served in academia, as a fellow at Harvard University and a professor in public policy at the University of Southern California. He was also a senior fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. Additionally, he has served on the McGraw Hill Global Education Board of Directors, and currently serves as Board Chair of The Change Company. 

 

He also serves on numerous non-profit Board of Directors including but not limited to UC Merced, AltaMed, and Peace Over Violence.

 

In August 2022, Mr. Villaraigosa was appointed to be the Infrastructure Advisor to the state of  California. 

Mr. Villaraigosa is currently a partner and co-chair at Actum where he focuses on strategic and crisis communication consulting to senior executives in large public and private sector organizations.

ENTERTAINMENT

Colibri

Las Colibri

LAS COLIBRÍ or “The Hummingbirds,” have a passion for music, beauty, and girl power.These women are flying into new territory as one of the most unique ensembles of its genre by returning to the all-string instrumentation of the early 20th century mariachi tradition and the colorful, feminine costumes of the Mexican cinematic divas of the 40’s and 50’s.After years of achieving much success individually as instrumentalists and vocalists in various professional arenas, these women have come together to form a stringed ensemble that is like no other in it’s genre. While their stunning beauty, innovative arrangements, and unforgettable vocal harmonies have propelled them to much success, their commitment to culture and higher education has made them role models for their community. With 8 bachelor’s degrees and 4 master’s degrees between them, they are a dangerous Latinx combination of beauty, brains, and musical enchantment. Every performance they give will be sure to get you laughing, crying, singing and even dancing to their contagious beats and melodies.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

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For more information on becoming a Coolest in LA partner, please contact

Development Team

development@climateresolve.org

(213) 468-1957

 

Sponsorship/Ad Deadline

February 28, 2025

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*If you are affiliated with a nonprofit or a community member who is seeking a discounted ticket, please email development@climateresolve.org