Mike Bonin, the newly appointed executive director of the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs (PBI), is gearing up to start his new role.
Ahead of his official start date on May 1, Bonin shared his aspirations for PBI during a VIP reception held at the Walter P. Moore office in the U.S. Bank Tower, downtown Los Angeles.
His vision focuses on addressing issues through the lens of equity to ensure that all communities in Los Angeles are considered in policy-making.
“I want PBI to be a place that researches, examines, and spotlights policy through the lens of equity to make sure that all of Los Angeles is being addressed by what our policymakers are doing,” Bonin stated.
He emphasized the importance of magnifying unheard voices, particularly those impacted by policy decisions.
Bonin, an educator, podcaster, and former Los Angeles City Council member, will succeed interim executive director Sascha Brown Rice, who is also the granddaughter of former California Governor Pat Brown.
During the reception, the significance of civic engagement was a cornerstone of the discussions.
Cal State LA President Berenecea Johnson Eanes introduced Bonin, highlighting the institution’s commitment to advancing civic engagement and empowering communities.
She remarked, “I admire his lifelong commitment to economic justice.
Tonight, we celebrate the Pat Brown Institute’s proud legacy and bright future, along with collective efforts to promote public policy and inclusive dialogue.”
With over 25 years of experience in government, politics, and public service, Bonin represented neighborhoods on the Westside while serving on the Los Angeles City Council from 2013 to 2022.
His academic involvement includes teaching public policy at Occidental College and Loyola Marymount University, and he hosts two podcasts: What’s Next Los Angeles and LA Podcast.
During his address, Bonin called upon students, faculty, and attendees to actively engage in public discourse.
“What does LA need? What does California need? What does Cal State LA need?” he queried, acknowledging the weight of the tasks ahead.
He stressed the necessity of collaboration and the importance of community input, stating, “I need your help. PBI needs your help. We need your partnership and your ideas.”
The event featured guest speakers like PBI Board Emeritus James R. Galbraith and Kathleen Brown, a former state treasurer and daughter of Gov. Brown.
Aside from Bonin, Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman participated in a fireside chat and Q&A session focused on pressing topics including the housing crisis, homelessness, voter engagement, and community responses to wildfires in January.
The Pat Brown Institute, conceptualized by Gov. Brown in 1987, is a nonpartisan, presidentially chartered organization dedicated to social justice, equity, and civic engagement aimed at improving the quality of life across California.
Today, PBI continues to uphold Gov. Brown’s vision by fostering civic engagement, promoting inclusive public policies, and energizing the next generation of community leaders.
Bonin expressed his pride in leading an organization named after a legendary figure such as Pat Brown, who he believes embodied the values of government as a force for uplifting people.
He stated, “He was a governor who insisted that government can and must lift people up, that public leaders can and must think long-term about the future, that public leaders can and must take risks to do what’s right, and that the public must participate in making change.”
image source from：https://news.calstatela.edu/2025/04/25/incoming-executive-director-mike-bonin-shares-his-vision-for-the-pat-brown-institute/
