After months of searching, the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has selected Leonard “Len” Lanzi as its next President and CEO, putting a veteran startup and nonprofit leader at the center of WeHo’s business community. The Len Lanzi West Hollywood Chamber CEO appointment becomes official on January 12, 2026, when he steps in to succeed longtime chief executive Genevieve Morrill.
Morrill, who announced her plans to retire earlier this year after roughly 15 years in the role, will stay on through the transition so there is no gap in leadership for members or City Hall partners. WEHOonline first reported on her retirement plans in March in “Genevieve Morrill sets to retire from Chamber of Commerce”, where she framed the move as a natural handoff after more than a decade of advocacy on behalf of local business.
The Board of Directors formalized Lanzi’s selection following an extensive interview process with both long standing and newer board members. Board Chair Dr. Raja Sannidhi said that mix of perspectives was important as the Chamber looked for someone who could respect its history and still push for new ideas.
“Len participated in a lengthy interview process with several long standing and new board members who understand the Chamber’s past and can visualize the future,” Sannidhi said in a statement. “As a forward looking executive, we believe Len will carry the Chamber into the future.”
The CEO search committee included Sannidhi, Sarah Adolphson, Rod Gruendyke, Joan Henehan and Mark Lehman. The group has been at work since late summer, when the Chamber publicly launched its recruitment campaign, as covered in WEHOonline’s piece “WeHo Chamber of Commerce begins hunt for new CEO”.
Adolphson, who chaired the committee, said Lanzi’s track record made him a strong fit for a business community that crosses hospitality, creative industries and professional services.
“It is clear that Len’s career is rooted in strengthening local economies, supporting small business and connecting innovation with community impact,” she said.
Lanzi brings more than three decades of experience across Southern California’s entrepreneurial and civic circles. Most recently, he led the Preccelerator Program, a startup accelerator launched by Los Angeles law firm Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, where he worked with early stage founders and investors to help build one of the region’s more active startup communities. He previously served as executive director of the Los Angeles Venture Association and has held board and finance roles with the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce.
“I am honored to be selected as the new President and CEO of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce,” Lanzi said in a prepared statement. “I look forward to working with the business community, elected officials and their staff and other leaders in the city.”
For Morrill, the announcement is the latest chapter in a transition that has unfolded over the past year. In November, the Chamber’s 41st annual Creative Business Awards doubled as a tribute to her tenure, with members and honorees giving her a standing ovation as she received special recognition, as captured in WEHOonline’s recap “A Night of Celebration at WeHo’s 41st Annual Creative City Awards”. That event highlighted her years of work growing membership, raising the Chamber’s profile and navigating the pandemic economy alongside local owners.
Under Morrill’s leadership, the Chamber has not only staged its signature Creative Business Awards and networking mixers, it has also experimented with new programming, including an “AI for Business” workshop this year that introduced local entrepreneurs to practical uses of tools like ChatGPT, as covered in WEHOonline’s story “Chamber of Commerce to Host AI Workshop”. Lanzi will now inherit that mix of traditional advocacy and newer training programs, along with the Chamber’s relationships at City Hall and with regional partners.
With Lanzi’s start date set for January, members will be watching how he brings his startup and nonprofit background into a city where independent businesses, legacy institutions and new concepts share the same blocks. For now, the Chamber is emphasizing continuity, with Morrill staying on through the handoff and a board that says it was intentional about choosing someone it believes can honor what has been built while opening a new chapter.
