Sharona Nazarian Launches Reelection Bid in Beverly Hills

As the iconic city of Beverly Hills navigates post-pandemic recovery and pressing urban challenges, Mayor Dr. Sharona Nazarian is seeking a second term, drawing on her decades of civic service and innovative approach to local governance. A lifelong resident and immigrant who has called the community home for over 30 years, Nazarian positions herself as a bridge between tradition and progress, vowing to build on her record of accessibility and accountability at City Hall.

"I am a public servant, and our community means everything to me," Nazarian said in a statement from her campaign. "We need fresh and innovative thinking to ensure Beverly Hills remains safe, sustainable, and vibrant for generations to come."

Nazarian's journey in public service began long before her 2025 election as mayor. Holding a doctorate in psychology from Alliant International University's California School of Professional Psychology, with an emphasis in multicultural psychology, she also earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and sociology from the University of Southern California, graduating with highest honors. Her professional background includes roles at the San Fernando Child Guidance Center, CSUN Mental Health Care Center, Cedars-Sinai Thalians Center as a parenting and teen helplines training supervisor, and a decade-long stint at The Maple Counseling Center as an intern and parenting class coordinator from 2004 to 2013.

Transitioning to civic roles, Nazarian served as a Beverly Hills Human Relations Commissioner from 2008 to 2014, where she chaired the commission and launched initiatives like the Civility Statement, now read at the start of all city commission meetings, and the first cultural roundtable to foster unity among faith-based organizations. She also championed an anti-bullying campaign, reflecting her psychological expertise in community well-being.

Her environmental advocacy shone during her time on the Public Works Commission from 2021 to 2022, where she spearheaded the Disposable Foodware Accessories Ordinance and supported the RethinkBHTap initiative to promote the city's tap water and reduce single-use plastics. As a member of the Climate Plan Community Task Force, she pushed for policies balancing ecological responsibility with Beverly Hills' unique character.

Nazarian's broader involvement includes chairing the Los Angeles County Commission for Alcohol and Other Drugs from 2015 to 2023, where she redrafted its mission and restructured goals. She has participated in nearly every Beverly Hills homeless count since its start, co-chaired the Sister Cities Association, and held leadership positions in organizations like the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills (past president), the Beverly Hills Police Chief’s Advisory Board, and the Maple Counseling Center board.

Other affiliations highlight her commitment: former national vice president of Friends of Israeli Disabled Veterans, past board member of Sinai Temple, treasurer for the Beverly Hills Residents Association, and alumni of Team Beverly Hills and CERT. She has also coached and administered teams in AYSO and BHBL, underscoring her family-oriented focus.

As vice mayor from 2024 to 2025 and now mayor, Nazarian has prioritized public safety, technological upgrades, and collaboration with schools and families. Her campaign promises to preserve the city's iconic culture while enhancing residential quality of life through consensus-building and out-of-the-box thinking.

Critics and supporters alike note her proactive stance on security and infrastructure, though the reelection bid comes amid broader discussions on housing affordability and traffic congestion in the affluent enclave. Nazarian's platform aims to address these by amplifying resident voices and fostering innovative solutions.

With deep philanthropic roots, including honors from Sinai Temple and the Maple Counseling Center, Nazarian frames her reelection as a continuation of giving back to the city that shaped her. As Beverly Hills looks ahead, her campaign seeks to rally the community around shared values of safety, sustainability, and inclusivity.