Los Angeles County Parks Foundation Names Yvette Lopez-Ledesma as Inaugural Executive Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. (September 22, 2026) — The Los Angeles County Parks Foundation (LACPF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Yvette Lopez-Ledesma as its inaugural Executive Director, marking an important new chapter in the Foundation’s growth and its work to expand equitable access to parks and open spaces across Los Angeles County. Lopez-Ledesma will begin her role on November 1, 2026.
The Los Angeles County Parks Foundation (LACPF) is helping to lead the recovery and revitalization of Altadena’s public parks following the devastating Eaton Fire. In partnership with Los Angeles County Parks, LACPF is supporting efforts to restore these vital community spaces and ensure they remain accessible and welcoming for residents.
Beyond recovery efforts, LACPF funds critical programs that expand equitable access to parks, recreation, sports, and cultural experiences across Los Angeles County. This includes supporting the affordable $25 youth sports registration fee, helping make high-quality sports programming accessible to more than 33,000 youth each year.
LACPF also supports the Hollywood Bowl and The Ford Access Programs, providing free performances and cultural experiences for seniors and teens; the Free Swimsuit Program, which helps remove barriers to participation in pools; and the San Dimas Raptor Rescue, providing funding to support its important work caring for and rehabilitating injured birds of prey.
Through these investments, LACPF strengthens parks and programs that promote healthy, active communities while expanding access to recreation, nature, sports, and the arts for residents throughout Los Angeles County.
To lead this work, Lopez-Ledesma brings 20 years of philanthropy, local and national nonprofit leadership experience, including 13 years focused on increasing access to parks and open space in Los Angeles County and other high-park-need communities across the country. As LACPF’s first full-time Executive Director, she will lead the Foundation’s organizational development, fundraising and philanthropic partnerships, while deepening its collaboration with the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation and communities throughout the region.
“Yvette brings exactly the combination of leadership, experience and commitment to park equity that we envisioned for the LACPF’s first Executive Director,” said Joe Mendoza, Chair of the LACPF Board of Directors. “She understands Los Angeles County, she knows how to bring public agencies, philanthropy and communities together, and she has spent much of her career ensuring that investments in parks reach the communities that need them most. The Board is thrilled to welcome Yvette to lead LACPF through this next stage of growth and build the strong, sustainable organization our communities deserve.”
“On behalf of LA County Parks, I want to express our sincere gratitude to Joe Mendoza for his leadership and service as Chair of the Los Angeles County Parks Foundation Board. His vision, commitment, and dedication have helped strengthen the Foundation and position it for an exciting future,” said Norma Edith García-Gonzalez, Director of the LA County Department of Parks and Recreation. “We are equally thrilled to welcome Yvette as the LACPF’s inaugural Executive Director. Yvette brings a deep understanding of Los Angeles County, a strong commitment to park equity, and a proven ability to build partnerships and mobilize public and philanthropic investment. Her leadership comes at an important moment as we expand LACPF’s impact and advance our shared commitment to ensuring every community has access to vibrant parks, open space, and high-quality recreation opportunities. We look forward to this next chapter and to all that we can accomplish together.”
Most recently, Lopez-Ledesma served as the Greening America’s Cities Community Fellow at Community Partners, where she managed and supported the Bezos Earth Fund’s Los Angeles-focused urban greening grant portfolio of more than $12 million. In that role, she worked closely with 13 grantee organizations to advance urban greening projects and support successful implementation.
Previously, Lopez-Ledesma held leadership roles at Pacoima Beautiful and The Wilderness Society, developing extensive experience in organizational management, community organizing and engagement, program development, grant writing, fundraising, policy and advocacy. As a member of the Park Equity Alliance, she worked alongside coalition partners to organize dozens of organizations in support of dedicating a portion of Measure A funding in perpetuity to communities identified as having Very High and High Park need.
“I am grateful to the Board of the LA County Parks Foundation and excited to have the opportunity to serve as the Foundation’s inaugural Executive Director,” said Yvette Lopez-Ledesma. “In this role, I will continue working to increase access to parks across our region while developing the organization’s internal systems and external partnerships. Access to parks is not only about opportunities for play, celebration and shade. It is also about having shared spaces where we can connect with our neighbors, access emergency resources and implement sustainability practices as climate change increasingly impacts communities across Los Angeles County.”
Lopez-Ledesma has a long record of civic leadership in Los Angeles County. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District’s Measure A Citizens Oversight Committee and on the Board of Directors of Save Elephant Hill. Her previous public service includes appointments to the City of Los Angeles Planning Commission, San Fernando Valley Metro Service Council and Sustainable Burbank Committee.
She holds a master’s degree in public administration and urban planning and a bachelor’s degree in urban studies and planning from California State University, Northridge.
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About the Los Angeles County Parks Foundation
The Los Angeles County Parks Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, strengthening, and revitalizing public parks across Los Angeles County. The Foundation partners with the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation to mobilize philanthropic resources that enhance parks, expand access to recreation, and strengthen communities.
Through its support, the Foundation invests in park improvements, youth sports, after-school and wellness programs, access to the performing arts, and recovery efforts for Altadena parks and trails impacted by the Eaton Fire. The Foundation also helps remove barriers to participation by providing swimsuits and other resources that increase access to public pools and aquatic programs.
Together, these investments help ensure that residents throughout Los Angeles County—regardless of age, background, or neighborhood—can access safe, vibrant, parks and recreation opportunities that contribute to healthier, more connected communities.
Contact: info@lacpf.org