Luz Rivas was first elected to the California State Assembly in June 2018 and was re-elected in 2020. She currently serves as the Chair of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee and as the Chair of the Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector.

 

Luz has dedicated her professional career fighting to ensure every Californian has the opportunity to learn, prosper and succeed.

 

With a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from MIT and a Master's degree in Education from Harvard, Luz has focused on encouraging young girls to pursue training and careers in science, engineering, and technology. The founder of DIY Girls, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping girls become interested in math and science, Luz has helped set thousands of young women on the path towards economic empowerment, independence, and self-confidence.

 

Luz was raised in the 39th Assembly District (East San Fernando Valley) by a single mother who cleaned bathrooms at a hospital in Lakeview Terrace. Initially the family rented a room in a house, and later lived in a converted garage and back houses in Pacoima, San Fernando and Arleta. Her mother took night classes to learn English and office skills, and ultimately got a new job.

 

After working as an Electrical Engineer at Motorola, Luz's passion to get kids interested in science and technology led her to earn a Masters of Education from Harvard University. After graduating, she returned to the Valley, and in 2011, Luz founded DIY Girls, a nonprofit based in the Valley that encourages girls to become interested in science and technology. Since 2012, the program has served thousands of girls from grades 4-12, helping them develop skills as engineers and designers. DIY Girls also works with partner schools throughout the Northeast San Fernando Valley to create new science and technology programs.

 

Most recently, Luz served as a City of Los Angeles Public Works Commissioner where she contributed to delivering projects and programs that enhance quality of life, economic growth, public health and the environment to all Angelenos.