Katherine Perez-Estolano has called the San Gabriel Valley home for nearly 25 years. As a mother, wife, small business owner, educator and resident, she has a diverse professional background and a deep commitment to her community.
Katherine is an expert in urban planning, transportation, and community engagement. As Co-Founder of Estolano, LeSar, Perez (ELP) Advisors, she manages numerous transportation and community engagement projects. Katherine is highly regarded for developing complex public participation strategies that require collaboration among multi-cultural communities, and as a recognized leader in the planning and transportation fields, she speaks at conferences throughout the state and country.
Prior to co-founding ELP Advisors, Katherine served as the Executive Director of the Urban Land Institute, Los Angeles District Council, an organization focused on creating sustainable communities by educating communities and stakeholders on responsible land use and sustainable development.
Katherine was formerly the Vice President of Development for Forest City Development, where she focused on transit-oriented development and mixed-use, mixed-income projects in emerging markets, and Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Transportation and Land Use Collaborative of Southern California, a nationally recognized nonprofit that promotes greater community involvement in planning and development.
Katherine started her career in public service in Pasadena. She worked as the Deputy to Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, with a focus on transportation, planning and Latino constituent issues and engagement. Prior to working with Mayor Bogaard, Katherine served as the Transportation Manager for South Pasadena, responsible for the planning and development of the Gold Line rail project and updating the local mobility element. She spearheaded community marches to protest the construction the 710 Freeway. By building alliances in Pasadena, South Pasadena and Los Angeles, she created partnerships among community groups that mobilized concerned residents along the proposed freeway corridor.
Always with a focus on improving her community, Katherine’s public service extends beyond Pasadena. In 2013, she was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to serve on the Board of Directors of the California High Speed Rail Authority. Katherine previously served on the California Public Infrastructure Advisory Commission, which assisted the California Department of Transportation and regional transportation agencies in developing public-private financing agreements for high-priority infrastructure projects throughout the state.
Katherine demonstrates a commitment to serving her community throughout her life. She has given her time and service to numerous boards and commissions, including Latinos for Economic Advancement and Development, Pasadena Heritage, and the City of Pasadena Transportation Commission and Commission for the Status of Women. She is also actively involved with leadership groups with a focus on empowering the Latino and women’s communities, including Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, National Latina Alliance, National Organization for Women, New Economics for Women, and Adelante Mujer. She was a member of the Advisory Board of the USC Ross Minority Program in Real Estate and continues to be actively involved with the UCLA Alumni Council. She has also served on national boards including the Alliance for Regional Stewardship and the US High Speed Rail Association.
Katherine is an Adjunct Professor at the USC School of Planning and Development, where she co-designed and teaches Public Participation in Planning and Land Use Decision-Making. She has also served as an Adjunct Professor at the UCLA School of Policy and was recognized as a Senior Fellow of the UCLA School of Public Affairs. In addition, she has served as an instructor for the National League of Cities, Leadership Training for Local Officials program as well as a Lecturer for the Ford Fellowship, Regional Sustainable Development series. Katherine received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from California State University Northridge and her Master’s Degree in Urban Planning and Transportation from UCLA.
Katherine is married to Cecilia V. Estolano. In 2013, they were married at their church, All Saints Church in Pasadena. Together, they share six children and live in the Bungalow Heaven landmark district in Pasadena.
