Board Members
Cynthia M. Ruiz
President; Appointed by the Mayor
Current Term: 07/01/2019 – 06/30/2024
Governance Committee
Cynthia M. Ruiz was reappointed to the Board by Mayor Eric Garcetti for the term ending June 30, 2024. She was originally appointed by Mayor Garcetti on September 16, 2015.
Ms. Ruiz is the owner of Cynthia M. Ruiz & Associates, a Marketing Consulting Services firm in Los Angeles. She has also served as deputy executive director of external relations for the Port of Los Angeles. In this role, she was responsible for providing strategic external relations leadership and support to Port senior management and the Harbor Commissioners regarding legislative policy, communications, and regional economic opportunities that require Port and City of Los Angeles collaboration.
Michael R. Wilkinson
Vice-President; Elected by Retired Members
Current Term: 07/01/2015 – 06/30/2020
Audit Committee; Benefits Administration Committee, Chair
Michael R. Wilkinson was elected to the Board of Administration by retired LACERS Members in 2013, filling the vacant seat resulting from Commissioner Ken Spiker’s resignation. He was re-elected to the Board for a new term, beginning July 1, 2015 ending June 30, 2020.
Mr. Wilkinson started with the City as News Secretary to City Attorney Burt Pines and later served as a Deputy City Attorney in the Special Operation Division as a Housing Enforcement Deputy prosecuting slumlords.
Annie Chao
Commissioner; Elected by Active Members
Current Term: 07/01/2019 – 06/30/2024 Governance Committee
Annie Chao was elected to the Board of Administration by active LACERS Members in 2016 to complete the unexpired term ending June 30, 2018. She was again elected by the active LACERS Members in 2019 to complete a 5-year term ending June 30, 2024.
Ms. Chao is an Investment Officer for Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions, one of the City’s other pension plans. In her current role, she is the Head of Real Estate and has overseen public equities, bonds, commodities, hedge funds, and performance evaluation.
Elizabeth Lee
Commissioner; Elected by Active Members
Current Term: 07/01/2018 – 06/30/2023
Audit Committee, Chair; Investments Committee
Elizabeth Lee was elected to the Board by active LACERS Members in 2018 for the term ending June 30, 2023.
Elizabeth Lee has held a number of positions at the City of Los Angeles where she deepened her commitment to public service, fellow employees, and the City. She is a Finance Specialist at the Office of the City Administrative Officer (CAO), Revenue Group. At the City Controller, Financial Analysis and Reporting Division, she led the preparation of the City’s Single Audit and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and managed the Open Data, debt, revenue, and other reporting programs.
Sandra Lee
Commissioner; Appointed by the Mayor
Current Term: 06/26/2018 – 06/30/2022
Benefits Administration Committee
Sandra Lee was appointed to the Board by Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2018 to the term ending June 30, 2022.
Ms. Lee is the President and CEO of ES Advertising, a Los Angeles-based full-service advertising agency specializing in multicultural markets. With 25 years of experience in marketing, public relations, and advertising, Ms. Lee and her company represent some of the top brands including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Bank of the West, California Bank & Trust, The Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, Disney Home Entertainment, and Hite Jinro America.
Nilza R. Serrano
Commissioner; Appointed by the Mayor
Current Term: 07/01/2015 – 06/30/2020
Benefits Administration Committee; Governance Committee, Chair
Nilza R. Serrano originally was appointed to the Board by Mayor Eric Garcetti on February 25, 2014. She was reappointed on July 14, 2015 for the term ending June 30, 2020.
Ms. Serrano, an entrepreneur, founded TMS Production and Post Production firm with an extensive client network that includes General Motors, Paramount Studios, Ford Motor Company, Mobil Oil Company, Tenet Healthcare Corporation, Disney, Warner Brothers, Universal Pictures and Dream Works. Her international client base includes China, Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, and Peru.
Sung Won Sohn
Commissioner; Appointed by the Mayor
Current Term: 07/01/2016 – 06/30/2021
Audit Committee; Investment Committee, Chair
Sung Won Sohn was reappointed to the Board by Mayor Eric Garcetti for the term ending June 30, 2021. He was originally appointed by Mayor Garcetti on November 18, 2015.
Mr. Sohn is President of SS Economics. He recently retired from California State University, Channel Islands where he served as the Smith Professor of Economics and as the director of the Institute for Global Economic Research (IGER).
Presently, he is on the boards of Western Alliance Bancorporation and National Association of Corporate Directors of Southern California.