Cal State L.A. Taps Redondo Beach Resident as New Associate V.P.

A Redondo Beach resident was appointed to as the new associate vice president for the Office of Communications and Public Affairs for California State University, Los Angeles.

The university has tapped Elena Stern to oversee the management of university relations and communications programs, as well as media relations, publications, strategic communications, marketing and branding for the entire university.

According to a university press release, Stern will work with newly appointed President William A. Covino in development a rebranding campaign to "align the image of the University with the new president’s vision for community engagement, service and the public good."

Stern most recently led communications and marketing for L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation’s largest publicly-operated health plan.  She previously headed communications and external affairs for Para Los Niños, a nonprofit organization that helps to enable academic success and social well-being for children.

She was also a senior executive of the Los Angeles Public Affairs team for Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications firm, where she also headed the firm’s West Coast Hispanic practice.  In addition, Stern served in leadership positions for several high profile statewide and local elected officials, including former California Assembly Speaker and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.