Meet the Team
The Los Angeles World Affairs Council is led by a dedicated team of professionals committed to advancing global understanding, civic engagement, and informed dialogue. Working in partnership with our Board of Directors, members, sponsors, and community partners, the LAWAC team develops programs, cultivates relationships, and creates opportunities for meaningful conversations on the international issues shaping Los Angeles, California, the United States, and the world.
Modal Title
Kevin E. Cottrell is Executive Director of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council (LAWAC), bringing more than three decades of experience in international affairs and public diplomacy, philanthropy, public affairs, and civic leadership development. Throughout his career, he has built programs, partnerships, and networks that connect leaders and institutions across sectors, communities, and borders. At LAWAC, he leads the Council’s work to engage Angelenos in the global and civic issues shaping Los Angeles, California, the United States, and the world.
Prior to joining LAWAC, Cottrell served as Executive Director of Campaign Strategy at Cedars-Sinai, where he helped lead strategy, communications, and engagement for the institution’s $1 billion philanthropic campaign. Previously, he spent more than a decade at the German Marshall Fund of the United States as the Guido Goldman Director of Transatlantic Leadership Initiatives. In that role, he expanded the Marshall Memorial Fellowship and a broader portfolio of international leadership programs and fellowships spanning the United States, Europe, Europe’s Eastern Neighborhood, and North Africa, while helping steward an alumni network of more than 4,000 fellows across 45 countries.
Earlier in his career, Cottrell held senior leadership roles with the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, LEAD San Diego, University of California San Diego, and San Diego State University. His work encompassed civic leadership, international trade and economic development, environmental policy, cross-border relations, and U.S.-Mexico affairs.
Cottrell’s career reflects a longstanding commitment to bringing people together around consequential ideas and developing leaders equipped to navigate an increasingly interconnected world. At LAWAC, he is building on that experience to strengthen the Council as a nonpartisan platform for strategic convening, leadership engagement and development, and the advancement of new ideas and insights—while elevating Los Angeles and California’s distinctive role in global affairs. His work is grounded in the belief that globally connected cities and regions can strengthen civic life, develop the next generation of leaders, and bring important perspectives to the national and international conversation.
Brianna Rieux
Communications Manager
+1 (213) 328-5243 | brieux@lawac.org
Modal Title
Brianna Rieux is Communications Manager for the Los Angeles World Affairs Council (LAWAC), where she works across communications, marketing, digital engagement, and public outreach. She helps shape how the Council shares its programs, events, and conversations with audiences in Los Angeles and beyond.
Rieux began her career in journalism, earning a master’s degree from USC Annenberg after studying English at the University of California, Berkeley. During her journalism training, she reported on issues and communities across Los Angeles and developed experience telling stories through written, audio, and visual formats. Her background in journalism continues to inform her approach to communications, particularly her interest in making complex topics accessible and engaging.
At LAWAC, Rieux works closely with Council leadership, board members, donors, diplomatic representatives, members, and community partners. Her work spans communications for the Council’s programs and events, digital platforms, social media, newsletters, and other public-facing initiatives, while also supporting major organizational projects and partnerships.
Rieux brings a focus on thoughtful storytelling, clear communication, and strong relationships to her work at the Council. She is passionate about connecting people with the ideas, leaders, and global issues shaping Los Angeles and the world.