City of Santa Monica
Delana Gbenekama is an experienced communications and equity professional, currently serving as the Equity and Communications Program Manager at the City of Santa Monica since June 2017. In this role, Delana manages a team responsible for public information dissemination, serves as the city's spokesperson, and leads strategic and crisis communications efforts. Delana has a strong background in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, having coordinated the Racial Equity Committee and organized significant community events. Prior roles include Public Relations and Community Affairs Manager at the City of Oxnard and Public Information Coordinator for the City of Pasadena, where Delana achieved notable increases in social media engagement and successfully handled media relations. Delana holds a Master's degree in Journalism from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor's degree from Occidental College, focusing on Studies in the African Diaspora.
City of Santa Monica
Santa Monica is an 8.3 square mile city situated at a gateway to the Pacific Ocean on the west side of Los Angeles County. Offering an environment of unparalleled natural beauty, the city is home to a mix of residential communities, commercial districts, and recreational and art venues. Named by National Geographic as one of the Top 10 Beach Cities in the World, Santa Monica is home to three miles of wide beaches and the Santa Monica Pier, and attracts over 6 million visitors annually. Santa Monica’s residential population is approximately 90,000, increasing to an estimated 250,000 during the day with visitors and employees. The City of Santa Monica is a national leader in environmental, economic and social sustainability. The City has reduced water usage community-wide and is working toward water self-sufficiency by 2020, has increased solar capacity, and has adopted policies prohibiting single-use plastic bags and motorized leaf blowers to promote sustainable practices. Partnerships with local schools and Santa Monica Collage have created top-notch educational institutions, complemented by public libraries that are rated among the nation’s best. Outstanding educational opportunities are a prime reason that families choose Santa Monica. Learn more at www.santamonica.gov and follow the City on Twitter (@santamonicacity).