LOS ANGELES — Loyola Marymount University leaders are recognized once again among the “LA 500” — the Los Angeles Business Journal’s list of the city’s most influential, powerful and impactful people.
The release of the 2021 LA 500 comes as L.A. County continues its strong rebound from the depths of the pandemic, LABJ Editor Scott Robson writes, noting that one year ago, unemployment was hitting new heights, the economy was faltering and vaccines were a distant hope. “Given the events of the past year, the new LA 500 list may be the most impressive yet, as many of the 2021 members helped drive their businesses, and the city, forward through stiff headwinds.”
President Timothy Law Snyder, Ph.D., appears for the sixth time on this list of dynamic leaders who are driving innovation, creativity, community and industry. Under his leadership, LMU is ranked No. 66 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, No. 6 among private colleges in California, and in the top five among Jesuit universities. The Hispanic Scholarship Foundation named LMU the Education Partner of 2020 for achievement in advancing higher education for the Latino community. LMU is also enhancing its Westchester campus to include the LMU School of Film and Television’s Howard B. Fitzpatrick Pavilion, the Drollinger Family Stage for outdoor performances and two new residence halls.
LMU College of Business Administration Dean Dayle M. Smith, Ph.D., is named on the list for the second consecutive year, earning recognition for her college’s partnership with Ascend LA, a program helping diverse small businesses in L.A. County access capital, contracting opportunities and management education. LMU has also joined the Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative, becoming one of 25 members of this international foundation.
Board of Trustees Chair Paul S. Viviano, chief executive and president of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, is recognized for the sixth time in the LA 500’s healthcare category. He has served on LMU’s Board of Trustees since 2010 and assumed the role of chair in 2016. He is a former member of the Board of Regents.
Also named to the 2021 LA 500 are: William Ahmanson (Arts and Philanthropy), LMU Board of Trustees member and president of The Ahmanson Foundation; and Stuart Liner ‘87 (Law), a partner with DLA Piper and member of LMU Loyola Law School’s Board of Directors. Former trustee Mitchell Butier ’93, chairman, president and CEO of Avery Dennison Corp.; and Maria Salinas ’87, past chair of the LMU Board of Regents and president and CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, are included.
The LA 500 includes key players across a range of industries, including arts and philanthropy, banks, civic leaders, construction and architecture, education, finance, health care, law, manufacturing and retail, media and entertainment, professional services, real estate, sports and tech.
“The 2021 class of the LA 500 was faced with challenges over the past year that many may never have to address again — at least not to the same extent,” LABJ publisher and CEO Josh Schimmels writes. “It was a year of difficulty, tragedy, optimism and achievement. It was a year of growth, in so many ways, for our leaders, our communities and our nation.”
Read the full 2021 LA 500 list.
