Los Angeles World Affairs Council Re-Elects Secretary Maria Contreras-Sweet as Chair
Robert J. Abernethy elected Vice Chair; Geoffrey Baum name Distinguished Fellow to support strategic growth ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 and LA28 Olympics
LOS ANGELES, August 18, 2025 – The Los Angeles World Affairs Council (LAWAC) today announced the re-election of Secretary Maria Contreras-Sweet as Chair, effective immediately, to lead the organization through a pivotal phase of strategic transformation. Joining her in board leadership is longtime civic leader Robert J. Abernethy, who has been elected Vice Chair. These appointments position the organization to capitalize on unprecedented opportunities as Los Angeles becomes the “Center Stage of Ideas” ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and LA28 Olympic Games.
Secretary Maria Contreras-Sweet and Robert J. Abernethy
Secretary Contreras-Sweet praised the Board of Directors for their ongoing commitment and vision.
"I am deeply honored by the Board's confidence and grateful for their steadfast leadership during this pivotal moment for Los Angeles and our organization," said Contreras-Sweet. "Our Board reflects the very best of Los Angeles—leaders from civic life, business, academia, and diplomacy—whose international perspective and local commitment make LAWAC uniquely positioned to convene the conversations our city and world need. Their dedication to our mission of fostering civil discourse and civic engagement across cultures and borders is what will drive our success in the transformative years ahead." These preeminent leaders are committed to creating a convening town hall as the ‘center stage of ideas’ for the region. A nationally recognized leader, Secretary Contreras-Sweet brings a distinguished record in both public service and business. She served in President Obama’s Cabinet as Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, where she modernized the agency and expanded access to capital for entrepreneurs nationwide.
In California, she was the first Latina to serve as a state Cabinet Secretary, leading the Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency and overseeing 42,000 employees across 15 departments. She was a founding director of the California Endowment. In the private sector, she founded and led California’s first Latino-owned commercial bank in over a generation and was a senior executive at Westinghouse’s 7UP/RC Bottling Company. Her career reflects a deep commitment to entrepreneurship, civic leadership and to deepening democracy.
Founded in 1954, the Los Angeles World Affairs Council has welcomed presidents, Nobel laureates, and global leaders for seven decades, creating one of the nation’s premier forums for international dialogue. With a distinguished history of fostering civic engagement and informed public discourse, LAWAC is poised for a new era of growth as Southern California prepares to take center stage with the FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games.
Founded in 1954, the Los Angeles World Affairs Council has welcomed presidents, Nobel laureates, and global leaders for seven decades, creating one of the nation’s premier forums for international dialogue. With a distinguished history of fostering civic engagement and informed public discourse, LAWAC is poised for a new era of growth as Southern California prepares to take center stage with the FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games.
To support this period of momentum, the Council has appointed global affairs executive Geoffrey Baum as Distinguished Fellow, a newly created short term strategic leadership role focused on strategy, development, and communications. Baum will serve in an advisory capacity, reporting directly to the Board of Directors through Chair Contreras-Sweet.
Geoffrey Baum
"Geoffrey Baum brings a unique blend of strategic vision, communications acumen, and civic leadership that will be invaluable during this transformative period," said Contreras-Sweet. "His decades of experience—from launching presidential summits at Sunnylands to elevating global conversations at the Milken Institute and championing education equity across California—will help position LAWAC as the region’s preeminent platform for international engagement."
Baum has held senior leadership roles at the University of Southern California, the Milken Institute, Sunnylands, and the Michelson Medical Research Foundation. A longtime statewide education policymaker, he served as president of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors among other appointed and elected roles. His experience also includes directing international media for global summits and serving as a public media executive in Washington, D.C. A Pasadena resident, he currently serves on the boards of the Pasadena City College Foundation and the Greater Educational Opportunities Foundation.
"The World Affairs Council represents everything I believe in about the power of informed dialogue to strengthen democracy and build bridges across cultures," said Baum. "This is Los Angeles’s moment to shine on the world stage, and LAWAC is uniquely positioned to be the city’s premier platform for international engagement. I am honored to support Secretary Contreras-Sweet, this distinguished Board, and the dedicated staff in advancing that mission."
Abernethy, founder and president of American Standard Development Company and Self Storage Management Company, brings decades of civic and business leadership to his role as LAWAC Vice Chair. He was recently named Chair of the Board of The Music Center, one of the nation’s largest and most influential cultural institutions, where he has served with distinction for more than 20 years. A champion of the arts, education, and public policy, Abernethy has held leadership roles in infrastructure governance and philanthropy across Los Angeles. His election to the Council’s executive leadership reinforces LAWAC’s commitment to inclusive, civic-minded leadership during this important moment for the city and the region.
These leadership moves coincide with LAWAC’s broader growth strategy to expand membership, strengthen donor engagement, and establish new revenue streams while maintaining its commitment to public access and nonpartisan programming.
As part of this strategic renewal, LAWAC will host its Inaugural World Prize Gala on September 30, 2025, honoring three global leaders who exemplify excellence in diplomacy, civic engagement, and international bridge-building:
- Robert J. Abernethy, philanthropist, business leader, and longtime civic figure, recently elected Chair of The Music Center Board of Directors and Vice Chair of LAWAC
- The Honorable Jane Harman, former nine-term Congresswoman and Director Emerita of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
- Dominic Ng, Chairman and CEO of East West Bank and former Chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council.
The Gala will be emceed by acclaimed comedian, writer, and producer Larry Wilmore, known for his sharp wit and insightful commentary on culture and politics. Wilmore has been a creative force behind some of television’s most influential shows, from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart to Black-ish and The Bernie Mac Show.
Larry Wilmore
This milestone event will be a signature gathering for Southern California’s civic and international leadership, showcasing LAWAC’s elevated role on the global stage.
Details are available by clicking here.
About the Los Angeles World Affairs Council
Founded in 1954 as the Los Angeles affiliate of the World Affairs Councils of America network, LAWAC operates as a nonpartisan, membership-based forum dedicated to fostering civic engagement, civil discourse, and an informed citizenry in order to deepen democracy. The organization's dialogue on international and regional affairs has welcomed eight U.S. presidents and more than 250 heads of state to its programs, building an unparalleled archive of global leadership perspectives. LAWAC presents a rich variety of programs annually, including signature speaker dinners and free public webinars that reach audiences across Southern California and beyond. As Los Angeles prepares to welcome millions of international visitors during the FIFA World Cup and Olympics, LAWAC stands ready to facilitate the crucial conversations that will define our city's global legacy.
For more information about LAWAC and its programs, visit www.lawac.org.