MEET THE 2020 LEADERSHIP TRAILBLAZER TOP 10 FINALISTS

Today’s Trailblazer: Reva Feldman

The League caught up with Top 10 Finalist, Reva Feldman, City Manager of Malibu, California to talk about being named a Leadership Trailblazer and having a career in public service:

Q: Congratulations on being named a finalist for the Leadership Trailblazer Award. What does it mean to you to be nominated?

I am proud to stand with the other talented and exceptional finalists and am grateful for the nomination. Every time a woman is recognized for her professional contributions, all women in public service benefit, so it is my honor to be able to represent all the other hard-working women.

Q: What led you to a career in public service?

I did not set out to work in public service but was offered a job in the public sector in my twenties, and I fell in love with serving the public. I have been fortunate enough to spend over 15 years in my own community

Q: Who were your mentor(s) or advocate(s) in your career?

I was fortunate to have grown up with a strong mother and grandmother who instilled in me a belief that I could do anything. My grandmother immigrated from Russia in 1920 and was a seamstress. My grandfather was Spanish so my grandmother learned to speak fluent Spanish, and she became very active in the labor unions in the 1930s. Because she spoke Spanish, she was able to translate what was going on to her fellow workers and helped them all unionize.

I grew up in San Francisco and my parents were very active in the Vietnam War protests and my mother helped form the League of Women Voters in the 1960s. I am the youngest of four children, with two older brothers, and my parents treated us all the same. I was raised believing girls could do everything boys could do.

So, growing up I had amazing role models who showed me how important it is to be involved and help others.

Q: What is the most important lesson you learned while coming up in your career?

The most important lesson I have learned is that you need a balance in your life at all times. It is important to be dedicated to working, but a work-life balance is essential. I was a single mother and my daughter is the most important part of my life. I was lucky to have had supportive supervisors who afforded me the opportunity to do my job and be a parent. I try to give that back to my employees now.

Q: What advice do you have for women just beginning their careers who would like to be an executive in local government someday?

My best advice to anyone, male or female, is just to work hard and always offer to do things that are not necessarily your responsibility. As a manager, I always have noticed the employees who offer to go beyond or help out. Being a leader means being a team player, and the best way to learn that is to help others.

Q: What do you hope to leave as your legacy in local government when your career comes to an end?

I hope to leave behind a new generation of women leaders. I am proud that six of my eight department heads are women, and that I have been able to mentor many young women throughout my career. I hope young women can see that it is possible to raise a family and have a successful career.