Proud of her roots, Stephanie Clements is a third-generation Angeleno. Her grandmother grew up in South Los Angeles and her mother in the Valley. Stephanie attended LAUSD schools and graduated from University High School. Adopted as a baby through Vista del Mar in Palms, she was honored to connect with her birth mother and family as a young adult.
Wanting to stay true to her Southern California roots, Stephanie earned a bachelor's degree in business-economics and political science from UC Santa Barbara and a master's degree in public administration from USC.
Attending college during the Tiananmen Square protests, the beginning of the fall of communism in Europe, the first Persian Gulf War, and the Los Angeles riots, Stephanie credits exposure to these history-changing events with shaping her political views and her inspiration to serve.
Upon graduating from college, Stephanie was offered an intern position for then-City Controller Rick Tuttle. Ironically, her early experience and love for her work in that office have brought her full circle as she’s now running for the same office.
After her internship, she became the speechwriter for the Korean Consulate in Los Angeles, where she worked for two years. Her proudest accomplishment during her time with the consulate was helping to establish an LAUSD student trip to South Korea.
As a native Angeleno, Stephanie has wanted to serve the city she loves. She’s been in the Los Angeles city government for over 25 years, serving five departments, including the Community Development Department, providing Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to non-profit organizations, the City Administrative (Budget) Office overseeing budgets and Bond Programs, the Department of General Services where she served as Finance Director over capital projects, the Los Angeles Fire and Pensions Department as Chief Financial Officer, and the Public Works - Bureau of Street Services, where she currently works serves as the Assistant Director/Chief Financial Officer.
Her abilities in the office include her analytical sharpness and comprehensive grasp of city governance.
Stephanie prides herself on being a problem solver who builds relationships and knows how to get things done. She has a reputation for being responsive, fair, and transparent in dealing with City employees and communities across the city.
Her inside public finance expertise makes her uniquely aware of what needs improvement in LA. Better fiscal management, more jobs for Angelenos, and more efficient public services. Her capacities include cooperating enthusiastically with everyone to accomplish things in a vast bureaucracy under trying and ever-changing circumstances.
She is known as someone who pushes the envelope and speaks out when others may be too inhibited. Stephanie is proud of her numerous achievements, but she is incredibly proud of her efforts to increase the hiring in LA's disadvantaged neighborhoods through the City’s Targeted Local Hire Program. She never hesitates to speak up when she believes something better can be done. (She learned this skill from her mom!) Stephanie is known for her work ethic, enthusiasm, and commitment.
As a white woman, Stephanie recognizes that many of her accomplishments have resulted from her privileged background. She wants to serve as an example for all women and doesn't want to leave anyone behind, regardless of heritage, skin color, religion, or sexual identity. She believes that all Angelenos, irrespective of the color of their skin, should have the same opportunity to generate passive income and financial security as she and her parents had.
She has decided to run for Los Angeles City Controller because she believes the City is headed in the wrong direction. She believes that Los Angeles can do much better, and she is committed to serving as a watchdog over the City's finances and advocating for transparency in taxation and spending. She believes taxpayer money should go where it is most needed: back to Angelenos.
Stephanie spent much of her childhood at University Synagogue and was delighted when her current temple, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, merged together. Stephanie is married and has two young adult children, ages 21 and 19, also LAUSD graduates. Side note: Stephanie and her husband were happily wed at an LA reclamation plant back in 2000 – (Tillman Reclamation Plant/Japanese Garden)!
In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys Iyengar Yoga, laughing with life-long friends, walking around Los Angeles listening to podcasts or City Council meetings (government nerd!), roller-skating, going to the movies alone, live concerts and theater (art is everything!), travel and being in nature, and hanging out with her family.
