Carl Schatz

Los Angeles is a sparkling nexus of innovation and impact, due in no small part to the queen of downtown Los Angeles, Carol Schatz. Our Gems of LA series honors brilliant women in the community who are at the forefront of positive change, and Carol shines as bright as the gems she models for St. Vincent Jewelry, LA’s premiere destination for red carpet and ready-to-wear bling.

For more than 30 years, Carol has been a driving force in downtown Los Angeles. At the helm of both the Central City Association (CCA) and the Downtown Central Business Improvement District (DCBID), it was Carol’s bold vision, tireless efforts, and unrivaled chutzpah that catalyzed the extraordinary transformation of DTLA, generating over 30 billion dollars of investments, 40,000 residential units, and hundreds of thousands of new jobs.

As a testament to Carol’s tenacity, perseverance and sweeping influence, the city christened the intersection of Hope Street and Wilshire Boulevard as Carol Schatz Square.

As one of LA’s most visible economic development leaders, Carol retired in 2018 departing with the title President Emeritus of the DCBID. And while she handed the baton to a new generation of DTLA advocates, she will always retain the crown as queen of Downtown LA.

Click here to learn more about how DCBID continues to enhance the quality of life in Downtown Los Angeles.