about
paula daniels
I have been a private sector attorney, public sector official, and non-profit executive. I’m known for designing and implementing innovative initiatives in a variety of issue areas, including: water policy and management, urban forests, green infrastructure, food systems and food policy, with experience with environmental justice, civil rights and social justice. I have expertise in organizational development, team building, stakeholder engagement, public policy, public relations, government relations, developing and managing complex collaboratives, with skills in strategy and communications. I was awarded the Ashoka Fellowship for entrepreneurial, big picture, interdisciplinary, systems thinking.
job experience
(1980 -2005)
legal
Over twenty five years as a civil litigator; fast-tracked to partner in a mid-sized civil litigation firm; active involvement in law firm management since achieving partner in 1989. Founding partner of a boutique law firm established in 1993. During the shift toward full-time environmental policy work, became of counsel to a public interest law firm. Provided national and local leadership on the administration of justice, public interest and civil rights.
(1991 - Present)
nonprofit/ academic
Experience at the executive staff level as well as board level for a number of well-known non-profit entities focusing on environmental and social justice issues. Founded and incubated two highly successful non-profit organizations which achieved national and international recognition; developed and launched a public policy initiative at the University of Southern California.
(1999 - Present)
public policy
Through a number of high level public appointments, provided leadership in California food and water policy and in the development and implementation of nationally recognized initiatives in water management, food policy, and sustainability in the built environment.
career details
Co-Founder, Chief of What’s Next and Founding Board Chair
Center for Good Food Purchasing
July 2015 to Present
Co-founder of this national non-profit which is a spin off from the Los Angeles Food Policy Council, which I founded in 2011. The Center was created to meet the national demand for its Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP), a values based food procurement program for large institutions, which in 2018 received an international award for Scaling Up Agroecology from the World Future Council, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, and IFOAM Organics International. (Website: goodfoodpurchasing.org).
My emphasis is on policy development and enactment. Some recent examples: (1) worked closely with Assemblymember Richard Bloom to develop and advance AB1009 (2022) and secure $15 million for a food hub pilot program in California; (2) worked with Senator Skinner’s office to designate $100 million for California schools to purchase locally grown and climate smart foods; (3) anchoring a collaboration of national organizations to advance values based purchasing in federal agencies and programs.
Executive Director, California Central
University of Southern California
April 2015 to April 2016
Executive Director of this specific term public policy initiative founded by Mayor Villaraigosa at the USC Price School of Public Policy, with the purpose of delving into key issues of California's future. I designed and developed the initiative mission, vision, branding, objectives and structure; created and led the execution of its programming and policy papers in the areas of the economy, education, and the environment. Also responsible for fund development, team building, organizational development and all aspects of executive management.
Stanton Fellowship, Senior Fellow on Food Systems, Water and Climate
July 2013 to April 2015
Completed a fellowship project for the Stanton Fellowship; co-founded the nonprofit Center for Good Food Purchasing; fulfilled academic appointments at UCLA and Vermont Law School; held appointed public policy positions at Governor Brown’s Office of Planning and Research, and the National Organic Standards Board.
Senior Advisor on Food Policy, Special Projects in Water
Office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
August 2011 to June 2013
Founded, incubated and served as chair and de facto chief executive of the Los Angeles Food Policy Council; managed extensive stakeholder engagement in food policy and other areas; advanced the development of the national Food Policy Task Force of the US Conference of Mayors; provided advice to the Mayor on key water initiatives, food policy issues and legislation on a federal, state and local level, on issues including healthy food access, food security, local food system economies; developed strategy for and implementation of programs, public events and press conferences; participated in national food policy strategic planning and legislative activities.
Commissioner, Los Angeles Board of Public Works
August 2005 to August 2011
Appointee of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to this full-time commission overseeing the Department of Public Works, a department with an annual budget of over $1.5 billion and over 5,000 employees, responsible for most of the city infrastructure.
This was an executive management position overseeing the Dept of Public Works, with my emphasis on solid waste management, urban infrastructure, water management and water quality, water recycling, the urban forest, and organizational improvement, including streamlining of permitting processes. I led the creation, development and implementation of leading-edge green infrastructure initiatives for the City of Los Angeles (to address water quality through bio-filtration and water supply through groundwater recharge), including: (1) the first standard plans for Green Streets in the United States; (2) development of Green Streets policies for the Department of Public Works;(2) guidelines for drought tolerant planting in parkways; (3) a Low Impact Development ordinance and best practices manual; (4) a workforce development program, called the Native Green Gardener; (5) a Green Streets retrofit pilot project. I also developed the foundational strategic plan and organizational model for the Million Trees LA project, which was awarded “One of the Top Models in the Nation” for large planting programs, by the U.S Forest Service in 2011, and later, a food policy initiative which is currently thriving and has expanded nationally.
Legal Career
1978 to 2005
I have over twenty five years of experience as a civil litigator. I was fast-tracked to partner in a mid-sized civil litigation firm which specialized in business and real estate disputes, and was active involvement in law firm management since achieving partner in 1989. I managed and cultivated a significant business in computer software litigation, growing it into a boutique business and product liability practice which carried over to a self established firm. During the carefully managed shift (beginning in 2001) toward environmental and public policy work, and as a transition, I became of counsel to two firms, including a well-known public interest law firm.
governmental appointments
July 2020 - present
Member, President’s Advisory Commission
on Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
march 2015 - october 2016
California Water Commission
Appointee of Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
january 2015 - july 2015
Natural Organic Standards Board
Environmental position, appointed by USDA Security (voluntarily resigned due to Water Commission appointment)
june 2014 - july 2015
Senior Fellow for Food Systems, Water and Climate
Office of Planning & Research, Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
2003 - 2010
Public Member, Bay-Delta Authority
Appointee of Governor Gray Davis, reappointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
1999 - 2000
Commissioner, California Coastal Commission
Appointee of Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa
EDUCATION
UNDERGRADUATE
University of Southern California
Bachelor of Arts, Broadcast Journalism, 1977 (magna cum laude)
LEGAL
Southwestern University School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 1980
