Exposition Park Foundation’s Board of Directors
The Exposition Park Foundation Board of Directors is dedicated to shaping the future of Exposition Park as a world-class destination and a vibrant community hub. With a shared vision for growth, sustainability, and public engagement, our board members bring a wealth of experience from diverse industries, including public policy, real estate, environmental advocacy, and community development.
Our board members and strategic advisors are committed to expanding access to green space, fostering economic opportunity, and ensuring Exposition Park remains a beacon of culture, recreation, and innovation for generations to come.
Our Vision & Legacy
The Exposition Park Foundation will set the legacy for the next 100 years for the Park to become a destination for all Californians and global visitors to immerse themselves in art, culture, entertainment, science and sports.


Mr. Andrew Tavakoli
Mr. Tavakoli has made significant philanthropic investments in Los Angeles and beyond, supporting initiatives in higher education for veterans, workforce development, and business and civic leadership. His work reflects a long-standing commitment to strengthening institutions and expanding economic opportunity.
As Vice Chair of the Exposition Park Foundation, Mr. Tavakoli brings extensive experience in real estate development, capital formation, and public-private partnerships. His leadership is particularly relevant as Exposition Park advances major infrastructure improvements and legacy projects associated with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and other global events.
Mr. Tavakoli holds a Master of Science in Business Administration in Finance from the University of Southern California, a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from California State University, Long Beach, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.


Ms. Andrea Ambriz
Appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom, Ms. Ambriz brings more than two decades of experience in public policy, community engagement, and intergovernmental affairs. Prior to her appointment, she served as Deputy Secretary of External Affairs at the California Natural Resources Agency and as Chief Operating Officer of River LA, where she led large-scale public infrastructure and community-focused initiatives.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Ambriz held senior roles in the private sector and the U.S. federal government, including serving as White House Deputy Director of Private Sector Engagement and working at the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Ms. Ambriz currently serves on the boards of the Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension Commission and the Municipal Improvement Corporation of Los Angeles. A lifelong Los Angeles resident, she holds undergraduate degrees from DePaul University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley.


Ms. Patricianna (Patty) Rhee
Ms. Rhee previously served as Head of Legislative and Government Affairs at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where she led strategic partnerships and government engagement efforts for one of the nation’s premier research institutions. She has also worked with myriad international foundations, philanthropies and multilateral partners to advance climate and food security solutions.
As Secretary and Treasurer of the Exposition Park Foundation, Ms. Rhee has played a central role in establishing the organization’s governance framework, partnerships, and early institutional capacity. Her work has helped position the Foundation to support the long-term transformation of Exposition Park as a major civic and cultural destination.
Ms. Rhee holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California, Davis, and is a State of CA Jesse Unruh Fellow.


Mr. David McNeill
With more than 20 years of experience in real estate, public administration, and community engagement, Mr. McNeill has led large-scale land acquisition, planning, and design initiatives focused on expanding access to open space in historically underserved communities. His work has resulted in the creation of parks, regional recreation facilities, habitat restoration projects, water quality improvements, and miles of interconnected trails.
Mr. McNeill is a founding member of the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust and has contributed to numerous landmark regional initiatives, including Los Angeles County’s Parks Needs Assessment and the City of Los Angeles Walking to the Park Report. He has served on multiple advisory bodies addressing water, environmental justice, and land use, and currently serves on nonprofit and civic boards focused on conservation and urban resilience.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication with a minor in Human Services from Oregon State University.


Ms. Linda Griego
Ms. Griego has served in senior government leadership roles, including Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles for Economic Development, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Community Development Bank, and President and CEO of Rebuild LA following the 1992 Civil Unrest. Earlier in her career, she served as a congressional staff member in Washington, D.C.
Her corporate board service includes Paramount Global, Capital Group/American Funds, AECOM, Granite Construction, City National Bank, and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (Los Angeles Branch). She has also served as a trustee for major national philanthropies, including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation.
Ms. Griego holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from UCLA and was awarded the UCLA Medal, the university’s highest honor. She currently serves on advisory and nonprofit boards focused on health, education, historic preservation, and economic development.