Sharona R. Nazarian
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Sharona R. Nazarian | |
|---|---|
| 85th Mayor of Beverly Hills | |
| In office April 1, 2025 – April 14, 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Lester Friedman |
| Succeeded by | Craig A. Corman |
| Member of the Beverly Hills City Council | |
| Assumed office 2022 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1974 Iran |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Daniel Nazarian |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Southern California Alliant International University |
| Occupation | Politician, psychologist |
Dr. Sharona R. Nazarian, PsyD is an American politician and civic leader who served as Mayor of Beverly Hills, California, from April 1, 2025 to April 14, 2026. A member of the Beverly Hills City Council since 2022, Nazarian is reported to be the first Iranian American woman and the first Iranian Jewish woman as mayor in Beverly Hills. Her career includes work on city commissions, intermunicipal collaboration, and leadership in nonprofit and community organizations. Nazarian has been active in efforts addressing public safety, community engagement, and antisemitism, and she has participated in national and international forums related to civic leadership and Jewish community issues.[1][2][3]
Early life and education
Sharona R. Nazarian was born in Tehran, Iran. Her family sought religious refuge during the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and subsequently immigrated to the United States, ultimately settling in Beverly Hills, California.[3][4][5]
She earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Southern California and received a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree in clinical psychology (PsyD) with emphasis in Multicultural Psychology from Alliant International University.[4]
Career
Local government
Nazarian has served on the Beverly Hills City Council, with her initial election to the council in June 2022. She was sworn in as mayor on April 1, 2025, at Beverly Hills’ city reorganization meeting, succeeding the previous mayor.[5][4]
Nazarian is the first Iranian American woman and the first Iranian Jewish woman to hold the office of mayor in Beverly Hills.[3]
Before serving on the City Council, Nazarian held roles on the Public Works and Human Relations Commissions, contributing to initiatives such as a municipal civility statement and a sustainability ordinance focused on reducing plastic use. She also served as a former chair of the Los Angeles County Commission for Alcohol and Other Drugs.[5]
Mayor of Beverly Hills (2025–2026)
As mayor, Nazarian's priorities centered on public safety, community engagement, support for local businesses, transparency, and social justice.[6] Her term included initiatives related to public safety and the use of artificial intelligence in municipal operations, including the introduction of AI-assisted reporting tools for the Beverly Hills Police Department and AI technology in wildfire monitoring and citywide evacuation drills to educate residents about disaster preparedness with the Beverly Hills Fire Department.[4][5][6]
Nazarian promoted community programming and events intended to foster intergenerational connection and cultural exchange, including initiatives under platforms such as “Never Again is Now” and a mayoral emphasis on unity and multicultural celebration.[7]
National and international engagement
Nazarian joined the inaugural advisory board of the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) in 2025, with a focus on municipal-level policy responses too antisemitism. Her appointment to the CAM U.S. Advisory Board has been cited as highlighting her national role in addressing antisemitism and promoting inclusive civic leadership.[8][9][10]
She participated in inter-municipal forums and represented Beverly Hills in international venues, including CAM-related conferences. Media coverage identified her as a civic leader within the Iranian Jewish community in Los Angeles during periods of geopolitical tension.[1][8][9]
Public profile and media
Nazarian was covered in national and local media regarding her position on antisemitism, immigrant communities, and civil leadership. She participated in interviews and public events related to her civic work and advocacy. Nazarian spoke publicly about antisemitism and community cohesion amid heightened tensions affecting Iranian American and Jewish communities. She served as a keynote speaker at various Iranian rallies around Los Angeles. She was featured on CNN, Public Radio's Marketplace, and local TV stations in Los Angeles.[1][7][9][11]
She held leadership roles in nonprofit and cultural organizations, including past presidencies or board service with local groups and institutions.[7]
Additional work
Nazarian is a past president of the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills and formerly served on the Executive Board of the Maple Counseling Center (TMCC), the co-president of the Beverly Hills Sister City Association, and past board member of the Zimmer Children's Museum. She received recognition for her civic service, including the Community Leader Award for TMCC and the Israel Bond Golda Meir Woman of Valor Award. Nazarian contributed to the City of Beverly Hills Centennial Celebration in 2014 and served on the Beverly Hills Police Chief's Advisory Board.[11][12][13][14]
Nazarian is current executive board member of USC Hillel, active in Hadassah, the Jewish Federation, WIZO and an active member and a former Board of Directors member for Sinai Temple.[7]
Awards and recognitions
Nazarian is a recipient of numerous awards recognizing her leadership and community impact, including:
- Community Leader Award, Maple Counseling Center[15]
- Israel Bonds Golda Meir Woman of Valor Award (2018)
- Magen Am Community Shield Award
- Changemakers Award (2025), American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council[11]
- American Friends of Unit 669 Award
- Shamsi Hekmat Achievement Award, Iranian Jewish Women’s Organization[12]
- AD51 Community Excellence Award, presented by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur[13]
- We Do It Together (WDIT) Excellence Award[14]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Mayorquín, Orlando; Jiménez, Jesus (June 18, 2025). "In 'Tehrangeles,' Iranian Americans Anxiously Watch War Unfold From Afar". New York Times.
- ↑ "Iranian-Born Woman Now Mayor of Beverly Hills". Iran Times. April 3, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Sharona Nazarian becomes first Jewish Iranian-American woman mayor in US history". Jerusalem Post. April 3, 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Or-El, Ayala (July 25, 2025). "Leading with Strength and Heart: Mayor Sharona Nazarian's Vision for Beverly Hills". Jewish Journal.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Brewster, Tabor (April 2, 2025). "Nazarian takes reins as Beverly Hills mayor". Beverly Press Park La Brea News.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Brewster, Tabor (April 9, 2025). "Nazarian outlines mayoral vision". Beverly Press Park La Brea News.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Iranian-American mayor opens up about support for her home country". CNN. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Hartman, Mitchell (January 28, 2026). "The 2026 World Cup is expected to draw millions of foreign visitors. Will U.S. authorities let them in?". Marketplace.org.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Bosselman, Haley; Rosemberg, Jasmin; McPhee, Michele; Nichols, Chris (March 4, 2026). "Los Angeles Magazine Presents the 2026 L.A. Woman List". LA Magazine.
- ↑ Lozada, Juliana (October 16, 2025). "Sharona Nazarian Joins Mayor's Advisory Board for Combat Antisemitism Movement". Beverly Hills Courier.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "AMMWEC Honors Beverly Hills Mayor Nazarian with 2025 Changemakers Award". EIN Presswire. AMMWEC. July 7, 2025.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "A Gala Celebration in Honor of Honorable Mayor of B.H., Dr. Sharona Nazarian & Clinical Prof, UCLA, Dr. Jeannine Rahimian Sehati". Iranian Jewish Women's Organization. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Assembly District 51 Community Excellence Awards". Rick Chavez Zbur Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair, 51st District. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Goldenberg, Lauren (20 November 2025). "We Do It Together Celebrates 10 Years Empowering Women in Media with a Star-Studded Gala Honoring Sharon Stone, Diane Warren and more". The Knockturnal. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
- ↑ Aldana, Andrea (October 24–30, 2013). "Giving Back" (PDF). No. 734. Beverly Hills Weekly. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
External links
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