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Meet Luz

Luz Rivas is an engineer, educator and public servant from the San Fernando Valley.

Luz’s First CommunionLuz’s First Communion at Mary Immaculate Church in Pacoima

Luz grew up in the Northeast San Fernando Valley.

Luz’s parents immigrated from Mexico. She grew up in Pacoima with a single mother that worked multiple jobs to support her daughters. Initially, the family rented a room in a house, and later lived in a converted garage and back houses throughout the Valley. Her mother took night classes to learn English and office skills.

Luz attended Los Angeles public schools.

Her fifth grade teacher at Telfair Elementary School in Pacoima encouraged her to learn about computers. This is where Luz first became interested in a STEM career.

At Pacoima Junior High, she continued taking computer science classes.

Luz attended San Fernando High School where she graduated with honors. At SFHS, she continued pursuing STEM classes and participated in drill team, leadership, and other extra curricular activities while also working two jobs to help her mom pay for rent and food.

Luz is a graduate of MIT and Harvard

After high school, Luz attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. After college she worked as an electrical engineer for Motorola. Her passion to get kids interested in engineering led her to pursue a Master of Education degree from Harvard University.

Luz at MIT graduationLuz and her family at MIT graduation

In 2012, Luz founded DIY Girls

As the founder of DIY (Do it Yourself) Girls, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping girls in the San Fernando Valley become interested in science and engineering, Luz has helped set thousands of young women on the path towards economic empowerment, independence, and self-confidence. Many of those girls are now graduating from college, ready and able to embark on careers that will benefit their families and communities.

Since 2018, Luz has served in the California State Legislature representing the 43rd Assembly District

During Luz’s time in the Assembly, her priority has been to uplift and empower underrepresented communities. She has been successful as a leader in delivering substantive policy and has been recognized for her leadership by labor unions, business organizations and community organizations. Luz has advocated for environmental justice through her role as the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources. Luz was elected by her peers to serve as Chair of the Los Angeles County Legislative Delegation.

Check to NEVHCLuz delivers $5 million to the Northeast Valley Health Corporation

As a state legislator, Luz has :

  • Secured over $70 million in state funding for the San Fernando Valley for infrastructure, education and healthcare projects.

  • Helped to successfully pass the California Film Tax Credit, keeping thousands of jobs in California and the Valley

  • Led STEM Education policy in California by increasing access to computer science and climate change education

Luz is running to represent California’s 29th Congressional District

California’s 29th District is home to over 750,000 people in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. The district includes the City of San Fernando and the City of Los Angeles communities of Arleta, Lake Balboa, Lake View Terrace, Mission Hills, North Hills, North Hollywood, Pacoima, Panorama City, Reseda, Sun Valley, Sylmar, Toluca Lake, Valley Glen, Valley Village, and Van Nuys.