LOS ANGELES (December 7, 2022) – Central City Association of Los Angeles (CCA) has chosen Nella McOsker to be CCA’s next President and CEO. The Board of Directors unanimously selected McOsker based on her skillful management of CCA’s operations and membership engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as her extensive experience leading strategy, coalition building and campaigns in Los Angeles. 

McOsker’s professional skills and expertise have long contributed to CCA’s successful advocacy, influence and engagement. Joining CCA in 2019 as Vice President of Strategic Relations, she overhauled CCA’s approach to member acquisition and retention, diversified its membership and led revenue and development strategies with particular acumen through the COVID-19 pandemic. As a consultant in 2017, McOsker spearheaded the strategic visioning of CCA’s advocacy priorities, helping redefine its mission and expand its impact toward Downtown Los Angeles’ residents, workers and visitor experiences.

“During the search process, the Board evaluated Nella’s achievements for CCA and her vision for the organization,” said Stephanie Graves, CCA Board Chair and CEO of Lee Andrews Group. “We wholeheartedly believe she is the right person to lead CCA and will drive solutions for the tough challenges that Downtown and our city continue to face.”

McOsker will succeed Jessica Lall who will become Managing Director of CBRE’s Downtown Los Angeles office. McOsker’s official start date is January 3, 2023. 

“Nella is a results-oriented leader with a background in coalition building that uniquely prepares her to bring leaders to the table and advance CCA’s policy advocacy,” said Edgar Khalatian, incoming CCA Board Chair and Partner at Mayer Brown. “CCA will be an especially important source of connection between important stakeholders throughout the city as we welcome Los Angeles’ newly elected leaders.”

McOsker brings significant expertise in public affairs with keen knowledge of business, civic and political issues in Los Angeles, including playing a pivotal leadership role to successfully elect Tim McOsker to Los Angeles City Council in the November 2022 general election.

“CCA will continue to bring proactive policy solutions for public safety, governance, homelessness, our housing shortage and economic development; our advocacy and increased accountability for progress on these issues will be my top priorities,” said Nella McOsker, incoming President and CEO. “I look forward to working with CCA’s broad coalition of members, our elected leaders and community partners to make meaningful progress on the issues that will build growth and resilience for Downtown and the wider region.”

Before joining CCA, McOsker spent a decade executing major client initiatives in tourism, retail, healthcare, technology, public safety development and more during her time at public affairs firms Strategies 360 and High Lantern Group. She co-founded the Strategies 360 Los Angeles office, building out the team and driving business development. Her successful projects range from statewide ballot propositions, corporate communications campaigns, crisis management and strategic planning.

“Having worked with Nella to support the hospitality and tourism industries during the pandemic, it’s clear that she knows what businesses need to thrive and will be a committed advocate and powerful voice of Downtown,” said Javier Cano, CCA Board Member and Vice President and General Manager of The Ritz Carlton, Los Angeles and JW Marriott Los Angeles LA LIVE.

McOsker is an involved community member. She serves on The Association of Catholic Student Councils Board and was an integral Board Member of former Metro Charter Elementary School in Downtown Los Angeles. She graduated Cum Laude from University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Interdisciplinary Minor in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. McOsker is an alumna of the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs and Teach For America.

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