Full Name
Tessa Charnofsky
Job Title
Special Assistant
Company
LA County Internal Services Department, SoCalREN
Speaker Bio
Tessa Charnofsky works as a program manager for L.A. County's Internal Services Department, Energy and Environmental Services where she manages and supports programs ranging from workforce education and training, program evaluation, projects related to the installation and maintenance of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and more. Previously, she served as District Director for Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, where she worked for four years, running the Supervisor's District office in the West Valley/Mountain communities, and supporting the Kuehl team on environmental initiatives. Just prior to joining the Supervisor’s team, Tessa worked for the National Wildlife Federation as an Urban Wildlife Manager helping to ensure that Los Angeles County neighborhoods were habitable for our wildlife neighbors, from bees to bobcats. A trained social worker, for 15 years Tessa worked for several organizations managing programs ranging from child abuse prevention and youth development to gang prevention.
In 2007, Tessa joined Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s staff as West Valley Area Director where she represented the Mayor in the West San Fernando Valley. In 2009, Tessa worked as Special Assistant to then-Speaker of the State Assembly Karen Bass, supporting her critical efforts to protect safety net programs during the recession. From 2010 to 2017, Tessa served as Government Affairs Manager for First 5 LA and spoke on behalf of the agency with elected officials and community leaders about the importance of high-quality health and educational programs for children 0-5 and their families.
Tessa received a B.A. in politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a Master’s in Social Work, with an emphasis in community organizing, from San Francisco State University. She received a second master’s degree, in Public Administration, from California State University, Northridge. A board member of the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters, Tessa is also a board member and Policy Chair of the Theodore Payne Foundation, which promotes the ecological benefits of California native plant landscapes.
In 2007, Tessa joined Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s staff as West Valley Area Director where she represented the Mayor in the West San Fernando Valley. In 2009, Tessa worked as Special Assistant to then-Speaker of the State Assembly Karen Bass, supporting her critical efforts to protect safety net programs during the recession. From 2010 to 2017, Tessa served as Government Affairs Manager for First 5 LA and spoke on behalf of the agency with elected officials and community leaders about the importance of high-quality health and educational programs for children 0-5 and their families.
Tessa received a B.A. in politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a Master’s in Social Work, with an emphasis in community organizing, from San Francisco State University. She received a second master’s degree, in Public Administration, from California State University, Northridge. A board member of the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters, Tessa is also a board member and Policy Chair of the Theodore Payne Foundation, which promotes the ecological benefits of California native plant landscapes.
Speaking At
