Dr. Suja Lowenthal serves as the City Manager for Hermosa Beach, the first woman and first Asian American in the role. With over 30 years of experience in government, municipal operations, and community engagement, Suja has held key leadership roles in Long Beach, Santa Monica, and municipal water districts.

Suja represented Long Beach as a City Councilmember from 2006 to 2016, serving twice as Vice Mayor, and was the first Asian American elected to the council. She also served as an elected board member of the Long Beach Unified Board of Education from 2001 to 2006. In Santa Monica, she held positions such as Senior Advisor to the City Manager, Transit Planning and Community Engagement Manager, and co-chaired the city's mobility strategic goal.

Her broader public service includes appointments to the California Coastal Commission and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board of Directors.

Suja's academic achievements include a Bachelor's degree in Economics from UCLA, an MBA from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Doctorate in Policy, Planning, and Development from USC.