Two 2011 Fellows of the San Diego Leadership Alliance Institute have been appointed to serve on commissions in the City of San Diego.

Norma Rodriguez has been appointed to the City of San Diego's Commission for Arts and Culture, which advises the Mayor and City Council on promoting the region's artistic and cultural assets, integrating arts and culture into community life, and showcasing San Diego as an international tourist destination. Norma is a Community Organizer at the Center on Policy Initiatives. Her pre­vi­ous work expe­ri­ence includes grass­roots orga­niz­ing mainly focus­ing on immi­gra­tion issues and civic par­tic­i­pa­tion.

Matt Ellis was appointed to the Sustainable Energy Advisory Committee. This Committee addresses the City's Climate Action Plan, a critical document setting the City's long term strategy around a number of far-reaching matters related to--among other issues--growth and the environment. Matt has just completed a term on the Funds Commissions, and is the Associate Director of Sustainability at CB Richard Ellis (CBRE), a commercial real estate services firm.

Both Norma and Matt were nominated to their respective positions by Interim Mayor of the City of San Diego, Todd Gloria, and their appointments were confirmed by votes of the City Council.