Nella McOsker

President, Chief Executive Officer, Central City Association

McOsker has to sell Downtown Los Angeles. It’s a tough job considering the state of the area. Under her leadership since January 2023, the Central City Association — an advocacy organization representing over 300 businesses, trade associations and nonprofits in DTLA — has launched a downtown revitalization initiative and spearheaded a coalition to secure approval for a $2.6 billion expansion of the Los Angeles Convention Center. McOsker had a prior nearly three-year stint at CCA as vice president of strategic relations. 

McOsker has deep roots in city government and labor. Her father, Tim, serves on the City Council, while her grandfather, Mac, was a city firefighter. Two of Tim’s brothers — Patrick, a retired Los Angeles Fire Department engineer, and the late Mike — held top leadership roles in the powerful United Firefighters of Los Angeles City union. Two of Tim’s children are firefighters. Nella’s cousin Emmet, an aide to former Mayor Eric Garcetti, works for the tourism department. And Anissa Raja, Tim’s niece, is his legislative director and president of the Los Angeles County Young Democrats.

 — Lauren Elkies Schram