Cynthia Hirschhorn

Los Angeles is a sparkling nexus of innovation and impact. St. Vincent Jewelry Center’s Gems of LA recognizes brilliant women in our community who are at the forefront of social change. Collectively, these true LA Gems elevate the lives of millions of Angelenos, as they shine as bright as the bling they model for St. Vincent Jewelry.

Meet Cynthia Hirschhorn, Board Member of River LA, an organization dedicated to repurposing and revitalizing all 51 miles of the LA River, from Canoga Park, through DTLA, and on to Long Beach, bringing people, water, and nature together. An environmental designer and civic art consultant, Cynthia joined River LA to serve as a liaison with the creative community. Her goal is to connect our myriad cultures and creative establishments to bring artistic expression to this tremendous resource and help make LA a healthier, more scenic, and robust city.

While many LA residents are only aware of the river as a meandering concrete flood control channel, Cynthia and River LA are on a mission to integrate design and infrastructure to enhance the waterway’s value for all Angelenos. In addition to flood control, the river already provides rich opportunities for bicycling, kayaking, walking, hiking, and horseback riding. But, that’s only the beginning of what it can someday offer. River LA’s vision includes cultural centers, integration into transportation systems, bridging and platforming over the river to expand green spaces, and perhaps, most importantly, developing tools to manage the river’s water resources to support resiliency in our drought and fire-prone region.

Click here to learn more about River LA’s efforts to champion river-oriented policies and sustainable public spaces while creating innovative models for community benefit and participation.