LOS ANGELES – Mayor Karen Bass today announced an expansion of her Communications Office. The Office of Mayor Bass is still hiring to fill additional roles in the Communications Office. To inquire, please email lamayornews@lacity.org.
Zach Seidl, Deputy Mayor of Communications – Zach Seidl will serve as Mayor Bass’s Deputy Mayor of Communications and continue to function as her chief spokesperson and be a part of her leadership team. Seidl has worked for Mayor Bass for the past 7 years, serving as Communications Director and Senior Advisor in her Congressional office and also working on her mayoral campaign. Seidl completed his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Anaí Ibarra, Deputy Director Spanish Language Communications – Anaí Ibarra will serve as Deputy Director of Spanish Language Communications for Mayor Bass. A native Guatemalan, Ibarra is a bilingual and bicultural communications professional with decades of experience working in public relations, community outreach, marketing and communications for corporate clients and social justice non-profit organizations. Ibarra has worked for political campaigns at a national, state and city level and for well-known organizations such as AARP and the Coalition for Humane Immigrants Rights, CHIRLA. Ibarra began her communications career at the early age of 21, becoming the Communications Director of the then Vice-presidential candidate of the first democratic election in Guatemala after 15 years of Military Juntas. Ibarra came to the United States as a Fulbright scholar obtaining a B.A. in Public Relations and a B.A. in Organizational Communications from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She will join the Mayor’s Office on July 3rd.
Clara Karger, Press Secretary – Clara Karger serves as Press Secretary to Mayor Bass. Karger joined the Mayor’s Office in May. She previously held the role of Vice President of Public Affairs where she led strategic communications for Central City Association of Los Angeles. Karger began her career as an elementary school teacher in St. Louis Public Schools. She is an alumna of the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs.
Gabby Maarse, Deputy Press Secretary – Gabby Maarse serves as the Deputy Press Secretary to the Mayor, a role she has been in since January. Maarse began working for Mayor Bass during the mayoral campaign as the Communications Coordinator. Prior to her work on the Karen Bass for Mayor campaign, Maarse worked at M Strategic Communications in Downtown Los Angeles, working with clients to achieve their communications, outreach, advocacy and public policy goals. Maarse earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon.
Ilanna Morales, Communications Associate – Ilanna Morales serves as the Communications Associate to the Mayor. Prior to her role in the Mayor’s Office, Morales was an undergraduate at Loyola Marymount University studying Communications and Political Science. During her time at Loyola Marymount University, Morales worked as an Operations Coordinator within LMU’s Conference and Events Services, where she facilitated the organization of multiple campus-wide events.