Karen Ginsberg, currently the assistant director of Community & Cultural Services, has been selected to head up the department.
City Manager Rod Gould chose Ginsberg following what city officials said was an “internal rigorous recruitment process” that took place earlier this month.
Ginsberg, who will receive a salary of $186,300 and oversee a department with an operating budget of $47 million and approximately 400 full- and part-time employees, has served as assistant director of the department for the last 12 years.
She will replace Barbara Stinchfield, who announced that she will retire effective Dec. 29.
“Karen has a proven track record in overseeing community services and in realizing improvements to the city’s parks, open spaces and public facilities,” Gould said in a statement released by City Hall last week. “Her clear, strategic thinking has served the department well in budget matters, team management and creative problem-solving. Under Karen’s steady hand, the strength and competence of the current … management team will ensure a continued excellence in service to the community.”
During her tenure as assistant director, Ginsberg has overseen the expansion of Virginia Avenue Park and the development of both Euclid and Airport parks — Santa Monica’s first two new parks in 24 years. She also spearheaded the state and local regulatory review process for the Annenberg Community Beach House, and facilitated the completion of an agreement with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District to provide a funding stream totaling $56 million for recreational improvements on the Santa Monica High School campus that the broader community will be able to use when school is not in session.
Prior to her appointment as assistant director, Ginsberg was planning manager for the Santa Monica Planning Department from 1994 to ‘99. She also worked for the Los Angeles City Community Redevelopment Agency in a planner capacity.
Ginsberg received a master’s of science in historic preservation from Columbia University in New York City. She earned a bachelor of arts in art history from Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
“It is an honor to lead [Community & Cultural Services] and continue its tradition of excellent service to … residents and the broader public,” Ginsberg said in the statement. “I am grateful for this opportunity to serve in this capacity, with the exceptionally talented staff of the department.”
Ginsberg takes the helm as City Hall begins construction on two new parks in the heart of the Civic Center — Palisades Garden Walk and Town Square.
The Department of Community & Cultural Services is responsible for the administration, planning, management and operations of the city’s open space, recreational facilities, culture and arts programs, human services, funding for nonprofit grant programs, and public landscape.
