Alex Merlino

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. The efforts of these true LA Gems make a dramatic difference in the lives of millions of Angelenos, as they shine as bright as the bling they model for St. Vincent Jewelry.

Meet LA Gem honoree, Alexandra Merlino, finance director for CicLAvia. Alex and her team connect communities and promote public health by hosting car-free Sunday events that crisscross our city. CicLAvia encourages people of all ages to ride, run, roll, and dance their way across Los Angeles, taking over major transportation arteries and experiencing the streets from an exciting new point of view. In a region known for its car culture and traffic,

Alex’s goal is to increase active mobility and the use of diverse transportation options, while inspiring people to embrace the outdoors in a city-wide festival environment. Since its debut in 2010, CicLAvia has grown to produce six events a year, each drawing 25,000 to 75,000 people while supporting local businesses along the routes and driving up Metro ridership. Recently, pedicabs have been added to the mix, enabling even more people to participate. Alex sees CicLAvia as a potential model for the future of LA — streets filled with vibrant Angelenos commuting to work and school using multiple modes of transportation while keeping neighborhoods safer, with many more people out on the street.

Click here to learn more about how CicLAvia is connecting communities throughout Los Angeles.