Councilmember-Elect Nithya Raman Names Transition Advisory Team

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Los Angeles City Councilwoman-elect Nithya Raman named the members of her transition advisory team Tuesday evening as she prepares to represent Council District 4.

Raman's term will begin on December 14, after she defeated incumbent Councilman David Ryu in the November election.

Sarah Dusseault, who served as outgoing Councilman Ryu's chief of staff from 2015-2018, will join the team. Dusseault has over 20 years of public service experience, and is the outgoing commission chair and chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Governance Reform.

Miguel A. Santa also joins the team, holding over 30 years of public service experience in Los Angeles County, city government and the non-profit sector. In 2021, Miguel will start his new role as the President and CEO of the Weingart Foundation.

David Abud, Senior Organizer at KIWA and a graduate of Columbia University, will also serve on the advisory team. Originally from San Luis Potosí, Mexico, Abud has spent the past 10 years working on immigration issues, prison abolition, electoral campaigns, and community organizing.

Jose Roberto Hernandez, Chief of Staff and KIWA Organizing Director, will bring expertise on immigration issues, international affairs and economic development.

Finally, Victor Narro will serve on the team. Narro is a nationally known expert on workplace rights of immigrant workers, and is currently Project Director for the UCLA Labor Center.

"Together they represent a wealth of knowledge, ranging from the inner workings of the city and county and how to get things done, to understanding intimately the most urgent needs of working Angelenos," Raman said via email. "They will be advising us into the first months of my tenure, and we are so grateful for them."