Ben Russak
Director of Public Partnerships catalyzing resilient communities through racial, environmental, and economic justice.
- Role
- Director, Public Partnerships at Liberty Hill Foundation
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Ben Russak
Dynamic and strategic advocate, director, and policy expert with 10+ years of experience cultivating the critical intersection of organizing, partnerships, and program development. A relationship-driven leader with the ability to analyze challenging landscapes and frame complex issues for diverse audiences. Currently, I am the Director of Public Partnerships at Liberty Hill Foundation, a leading social justice foundation in Los Angeles that supports grassroots organizations and movements. Catalyzed by a background in urban planning, racial justice and community development, I have a passion for creating and managing public-private partnerships (P3s) that advance environmental and economic justice for low-income communities of color across LA County. I spearhead and oversee over $20 million of Federal funding for strategic P3s that align with the policy and advocacy priorities of LHF\'s community partners moving money through subcontracts and grants to over 80 community-based organizations. These programs include the development of the LA County Sustainability Plan, the implementation of the LA County Public Works Equity in Infrastructure Initiative, the Public Health Councils worker outreach program with the LA County Department of Public Health, and the Stay Housed LA initiative with the LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs. I am also the architect of the emPOWER outreach campaign, coordinating the promotion of over 40 state and local programs and incentives that help people access clean energy, transportation, and financial support through a single Salesforce application. Through these initiatives, I negotiate contracts, advance strategies, and convene cross-sector discussions that enable grassroots organizations to shape decisions, access resources, and transform their neighborhoods.
Experience
Director, Public Partnerships
Jan 2021 — Present
Spearhead and oversee regional public partnerships (P3s) between leading social-justice oriented community-based organizations and government agencies, including setting strategic principles and guidelines for P3 implementation, ensuring alignment with the policy and advocacy priorities of community partners, identifying and assessing new opportunities, negotiating contracts with government agencies, and directly managing the day-to-day operations for select contract focusing on environmental and economic justice issues.
Education
East Los Angeles College
CSU Transfer, general
2009 — 2010
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
Master's degree, Urban and Regional Planning
2012 — 2014
California State University, Los Angeles
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) -- Special Major, Urban Socio-economic Planning and Development
2010 — 2012
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