West Hollywood often has a “gay male” cachet, and according to the City of West Hollywood website, men comprise 56.18% of residents and women comprise 43.82% of residents. It is interesting to note that there is no “other” gender represented on the City’s website. Still, most every power position in the City is held by a woman, including the top leadership position of the City. When Jackie Rocco takes the helm as the first female City Manager since cityhood, she will be one of approximately 22 of 88 women city managers among the Southern California League of 88 cities.
West Hollywood’s newly selected City Manager, Jackie Rocco, assumes the role of guiding the City Council and steering the City’s future. The long-term insider has worked for the City for 18 years, rising from the Parking Division to the top corner office at 8300 Santa Monica Blvd. She has worked for the City since 2008, starting in Parking and later serving in Economic Development and Public Works before moving into senior administration as Deputy City Manager and Assistant City Manager.
Mayor Chelsea Byers is serving out her final month as WeHo’s mayor. Elected in 2022, Byers is the youngest woman to serve as Mayor of West Hollywood, soon to pass the gavel to Vice Mayor John Heilman. Byers was recently elected Vice Chair of the National League of Cities Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee for 2026 and continues to work on goals close to her heart, including climate change and sustainability, advocating for housing and social services, and speaking for LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and racial justice.
Genevieve Morrill, the outgoing President and CEO of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, has been the most visible business leader, leading and spearheading the WeHo business community on every important issue for two decades. This year the Women’s Advisory Board will present the inaugural Genevieve Morrill Women’s Leadership Award in her honor. The gender roles will change at the chamber within the coming weeks, but new President Leonard Lanzi has been hearing from the community, “you have big shoes to fill” — bring your stilettos.
Captain Fanny Lapkin is the top cop at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s West Hollywood Division. Lapkin oversees operations as the commanding officer, with operational oversight over Public Safety for the City of West Hollywood, Universal City (including Universal Studios), and unincorporated areas like Franklin Canyon. There are an estimated two dozen female captains in the LASD. 
City Attorney Lauren Langer is the Chief Legal Officer for the City of West Hollywood. Langer is appointed to the position from the law firm Best, Best and Krieger, whom the City contracts with for legal services. Langer’s responsibilities include providing legal advice to the City Council and City staff; supervision of all matters of legal significance; preparation of legal opinions; review and drafting of ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and program guidelines; and defense of challenges to City actions, laws, policies, and procedures.
Director of Community Services Yvonne Quarker oversees the City’s Event Services and Recreation Services Divisions. Yvonne has worked at the City of West Hollywood for over two decades. Prior to her role as Director of Community Services, she served as Director of Administrative Services and, before that, she was City Clerk for six years, Assistant City Clerk for nearly three years, and held positions in the City’s Rent Stabilization Division and former Legal Services Division.
Director of Economic Development Laura Biery is chief administrator over WeHo’s business initiatives. Biery oversees the Economic Development Department, which include the Arts, Business Development, and Property Development Divisions. Her job is to support a creative economy that attracts and retains thriving businesses, to program a diverse portfolio of leading-edge arts and culture programs that engage and enrich the lives of residents and visitors, and to advance the City’s real estate portfolio in innovative ways. One of the new programs Biery has supported is the WEHO LOVES LOCALS program to help support West Hollywood-based businesses.
Helen Collins is the Director of Public Works for the City of West Hollywood. Collins oversees all the infrastructure within the City. In addition, as the Director of Public Works, Collins is responsible for the improvement of the transportation system and enhancing the quality of life for City residents and businesses: Engineering, Facilities & Field Services, and Parking Services.
City Clerk Melissa Crowder is the chief record keeper and administrator for the City of West Hollywood. As WeHo’s City Clerk, Crowder oversees managing of elections, public records, City Council meetings, ordinances, resolutions, and ensuring compliance with federal laws like the Brown Act (open meetings) and the Public Records Act. Although no local statistics are available, nationwide it is estimated that over 80% of cities have female city clerks
While we have more women in leadership positions in West Hollywood than ever, this did not come out of nowhere. When City Hall first opened there was a real commitment to diversity in hiring and women in were in positions of power and were charting the course of our new City.
Great reporting Larry!
Happy New Year to all of my neighbors.