Meet our Steering Committee: Laurene Von Klan

Growing up in cities, Laurene saw plenty of urban grit  But why were cities seen as separate from nature, she wondered. Thriving green cities for city people became Laurene’s passion, one that she pursues still today and that is central to her work and everyday life.  

For sixteen years she worked to bring to life the polluted and ignored River back to life and to make it a living centerpiece of Chicago. She also helped launch a national movement to restore urban rivers. She was named one of Chicago’s most influential people for her work.

When Laurene and her family moved to Santa Monica 15 years ago, she also became a certified dog trainer.   All the while, she built a native plant garden at home, and volunteered in the Santa Monica Mountains and for events such as her neighborhood block party.

The urgency of the changing climate, however, brought Laurene back to her professional experience and passion for healthy cities.   She joined CASM in 2017 and is now a Steering Committee member and its Executive Director.  One of her first activities was helping to organize community brunches for people to learn about solar power.  For the last several years, she has helped CASM strategically focus on high-impact solutions, expand its youth programs, and build a strong community organization. “I love doing this work in Santa Monica,” she says. “Everyone seems to care or take some action.  And we have the talent and creativity to be leaders for cities around the world.”