Meet Nooshin Meshkaty, Candidate For Beverly Hills City Council

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Nooshin Meshkaty is vying for one of two open seats on the Beverly Hills City Council.

Mail-in ballots have already been sent out for the March 5 election, in which voters will decide between 10 candidates running for the council seats being vacated by Mayor Julian Gold and Councilmember Lili Bosse.

Learn more about Meshkaty's goals for Beverly Hills:

Education:
Graduate of Beverly Hills High School (1979), M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Southern California (USC), completed CSBA’s Masters in Governance program

Occupation:
Instrument Electronics Engineering Manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and oversee 22 team members

Family:
Wife to Yar Meshkaty, local luxury real estate agent, and mother of three now-adult children (31, 33, and 37), whom we raised and educated in Beverly Hills (K-12). My commitment to the city and community was sparked by my desire to create a better future for my family.

Age:
65

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?
BHUSD Board of Education from 2005-2009

Why are you seeking a seat on the City Council?
I am running for City Council to lend a unique perspective and my experience with innovation and technology to the complex issues that face Beverly Hills and effectively represent the diverse families in our community.

What do you think are the top three issues for voters in this election, and how do you plan to address them?
As a member of the Beverly Hills City Council, my top priorities will be: Ensuring the safety for our community, including a fully-staffed police department equipped with advanced technology and tools to deter and effectively address criminal activity.

Supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs.

Fostering a culture of creativity and innovation; embracing sustainable practices and working to reduce our carbon footprint while preserving the natural beauty and charm that make Beverly Hills a special place to live and work.

Promoting a culture diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility rooted in tolerance, acceptance, and peaceful co-existence.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I am an Instrument Electronics Engineering Manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) where I oversee 22 team members. I received my M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Southern California (USC). I completed CSBA’s Masters in Governance program while serving on the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD), Board of Education from 2005-2009.

During my term as BHUSD School Board president, I led several successful efforts to uplift BHUSD and its students including: achieving a balanced budget; obtaining $15 Million JPA funding; securing Measure E school bond funds to complete school building safety and modernization; championing character education and ethics programs; advocating for school safety and CCTV cameras; enhancing student-centered curriculum.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
Embracing sustainable practices and working to reduce our carbon footprint while preserving the natural beauty and charm that make Beverly Hills a special place to live and work is one of my top priorities. I would encourage the use of more public transportation and suggest the city provide a shuttle service for our seniors and a shuttle service to the Metro station for our young professionals going to school. I would suggest a program to plant more trees and create a space for a community garden.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
During my term as BHUSD School Board president, I led several successful efforts to uplift BHUSD including achieving a balanced budget; obtaining $15 Million in JPA funding; securing Measure E school bond funds to complete school building safety and modernization; championing character education and ethics programs; advocating for school safety and CCTV cameras; enhancing student-centered curriculum standards; increasing the number of district counselors; expanding playfield green space; implementing district-wide digital classrooms; establishing a Facilities Advisory Committee; establishing a Blue Ribbon Pre-School Committee; implementing smart classrooms; and modernizing K-8 auditoriums, playgrounds and restrooms.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Keep an open mind and communicate. Less is more.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I have worked diligently to successfully advocate for our community for decades, from PTA president to Board of Education president as well as working on multiple city commissions.

I know what it takes to roll up my sleeves and get the job done— From teaching classes to get through college; navigating a successful career in the male-dominated field of engineering while also being a mother of three ensuring my children received a quality education, were fed, felt safe and accepted in our community.

Meshkaty's campaign website