LA County Business Federation Honors Software Creator Ali Sahabi with Public-Private Collaboration Recognition
In a celebrated ceremony, the Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed) awarded its first Public-Private Impact Award to Ali Sahabi. The recognition came in 2024, honoring Sahabi's significant contributions to promoting sustainable and resilient communities and the adoption of clean and green technologies in Los Angeles.
Sahabi's impact is evident in various projects across Southern California. One such example is the Dos Lagos Mixed Use Development, a $1-billion investment that transformed an abandoned 543-acre silica mine into a thriving, sustainable mixed-use community in Los Angeles. As the first mixed-use, master-planned community in Western Riverside County, Dos Lagos paved the way for sustainable development in the region.
Another notable project led by Sahabi is a Workforce Development Program that he joined in a Public-Private Partnership. The program provides job skill training in the home building industry to formerly incarcerated individuals, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable workforce in Los Angeles.
Sahabi's efforts extend beyond individual projects. He has been instrumental in initiating regional movements towards sustainability in Los Angeles. His nonprofit, the Green Institute for Village Empowerment (GIVE), and the launch of the Green Valley Initiative in 2007, for instance, have been instrumental in creating truly livable communities that can work, play, and live in one community. Terry Tamminen, President/CEO of AltaSea, praised the Green Valley Initiative as a model for the rest of the country.
Sahabi's dedication to sustainability and resilience is also evident in his role in bringing the U.S. Green Building Council to the Inland Empire. He has been a driving force in the adoption of green building practices, promoting energy efficiency and waste reduction in Los Angeles.
The Resilience Advantage webinar series, a collaboration between the U.S. Resiliency Council, BizFed, LAEDC, LA Chamber of Commerce, and Optimum Seismic, Inc., is another testament to Sahabi's commitment. The series aimed to educate business owners about resilience and earthquake protection in Los Angeles, covering topics such as how to protect businesses, buildings, and employees from earthquakes, how to recover quickly from damage, and the cost-benefit analysis of resilience.
Sahabi's extensive involvement in multiple professional, civic, and nonprofit organisations further underscores his commitment to sustainability and resilience in Los Angeles. These include the California Apartment Association, California Building Officials, California Manufacturers & Technology Association, Los Angeles Metropolitan YMCA, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles County Business Federation, and U.S. Resiliency Council.
With a Master of Real Estate Development degree from the University of Southern California School of Urban Planning and Development, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Pepperdine University, Sahabi's educational background provides a solid foundation for his work in Los Angeles. His achievements serve as a beacon of hope for a more sustainable and resilient future in Los Angeles.
