Co-Founder & Executive Director

Katherine Perez

Until recently, Katherine was a Principal and LA Office Leader for Arup, an international engineering, design and consulting firm. With over 300 professionals in the LA Office, she played a critical role in the office management, project pursuits and Arup’s role in external markets. She ran for California State Senate, District 25 in 2016, co-founded her own company and non-profit, and served as the Executive Director of the Urban Land Institute, Los Angeles District Council (ULI LA). She is a National Board member of Mercy Housing and a USC Adjunct Associate Professor.

Co-Founder & Strategic Director

Aaron Paley

For over four decades, Aaron has focused on how Angelenos experience and use public space – through temporary and permanent interventions – and the nexus of event production, arts, community, culture, transportation, urban planning, and policy. He co-founded Community Arts Resources (CARS) with Katie Bergin to “create unique experiences where art, culture, community and civic life collide.” CARS incubated and co-developed CicLAvia where he served as its founding director from 2010 to 2015. CARS has produced many iconic programs including Chinatown Summer Nights, Go Little Tokyo, GLOW, the Getty Family festivals, and the Santa Monica Festivals. 

Deputy Director

Ruth Siegel

Prior to joining Los Angeles Tomorrow, Ruth worked as a practicing landscape architect and urban designer. Having worked at RIOS, Studio-MLA, and Sasaki, she is a seasoned designer and project manager who has led both master plans and built-work projects. She has worked on many public and cultural projects, including parks, plazas, botanical gardens, playgrounds, green alleys, and schools. Ruth brings a holistic and inclusive approach to her work and is passionate about creating resilient places that reflect and benefit the communities they serve.