Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has named an economic development pacesetter to lead its efforts to revitalize distressed neighborhoods across Los Angeles.
Tunua Thrash-Ntuk is taking over as the new executive director of LISC Los Angeles, which over the last 28 years has invested $750 million to support affordable housing, vibrant commercial corridors, strong schools, safe streets and good health in often-overlooked parts of the city.
“Tunua’s programmatic, fundraising and policy experience give her a rare mix of skills to help lead our work in Los Angeles,” said Michael Rubinger, LISC president and CEO. “She has a keen understanding of the local dynamics and has proven her ability to drive initiatives that improve the quality of life in low-income areas. We’re excited to have her bring that expertise to LISC and our partners.”
Thrash-Ntuk was most recently executive director of West Angeles Community Development Corporation an agency focused on supporting economic development, critical social services and advocacy on behalf of disadvantaged residents. Thrash-Ntuk is credited with completing a large commercial retail and office facility utilizing private equity, public dollars and traditional debt. Under her leadership, WACDC established best practices for producing high quality outcomes for asset development programs in homeownership, small business and savings initiatives.
She has also helped lead a 25-member collaboration promoting transit-oriented communities in the Crenshaw Corridor, with a focus on ensuring that the public capital investment would benefit small businesses and residents that need transit access the most.
Early in her career, Thrash-Ntuk also worked as local director at Green Door Advisors, an urban real estate consulting firm with headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“Tunua brings passion, leadership and a deep understanding of community and economic development,” said Steve Herman, the chair of the LISC L.A.’s Local Advisory Committee and first vice president with California Bank and Trust. “We are excited to have her on board to execute our shared vision for strong communities throughout Los Angeles.”
Thrash-Ntuk received a Master’s in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. She is also a graduate of the Ross Minority Program in Real Estate sponsored by the University of Southern California’s Lusk Center.
Additionally, she is a member of the Urban Land Institute and serves as board member or advisory board member to many organizations, including the Los Angeles Development Fund, Housing California, Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (AHAC), Southern California Edison, Union Bank/MUFG, and JP Morgan Chase Bank. Tunua is a former commissioner for the Los Angeles Housing Authority.
