THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES ADDS FOUR NEW DIRECTORS TO THE BOARD

New Directors Include Andrew Chick, Beth Michelson, Nyanza Shaw, and Nona Farahnik Yadegar

(L-R) Andrew Chick, Beth Michelson, Nyanza Shaw, and Nona Farahnik Yadegar.

LOS ANGELES — The Library Foundation of Los Angeles (LFLA) proudly announces the addition of four new Board Directors who offer a diverse range of experience in arts and education advocacy, entertainment law, finance, and operations. The new directors are Andrew Chick, president and CEO of Lawyers’ Mutual Insurance Company; Beth Michelson, incoming president of The Council of the LFLA; Nyanza Shaw, principal attorney at Shaw Esquire; and Nona Farahnik Yadegar, director of product strategy and operations at Snap Inc.

“I am delighted to welcome these accomplished individuals to the LFLA Board,” said Board Chair Debra Albin-Riley. “I look forward to deploying their valuable talents and perspectives to fulfill the Foundation’s mission to enhance and expand the Los Angeles Public Library’s delivery of life-changing resources and dynamic public programming to the people of Los Angeles.”

For over 30 years, the LFLA has served as a strong advocate for the work of libraries in L.A. communities, presenting dynamic public programs and fundraising for some of the Los Angeles Public Library’s signature initiatives that serve Angelenos at every age. Through a nimble public-private partnership, the Foundation funds innovative programs, including Read Baby Read, to help build early literacy skills; Teens Leading Change, encouraging teens to invest in civic engagement; and Adult Literacy programs that assist adults in growing a range of skills from reading fluency to digital literacy. The LFLA also produces free public programs, including ALOUD, the award-winning literary series of conversations, readings, and performances, and thought-provoking exhibitions, including the upcoming No Prior Art: Illustrations of Invention, to engage audiences and promote the transformative services of the LAPL.

“We are grateful to have four talented new Board members join us and support the Foundation’s vital initiatives that help the Los Angeles Public Library thrive as a responsive, resilient, and dynamic institution that meets the evolving needs of Angelenos across the city,” said LFLA President and CEO Stacy Lieberman. “Our important work together will ensure the Library’s wealth of resources continues to flourish for generations to come.”

New Board Members
Andrew Chick‘s career spans 30 years of financial market experience, working in various reinsurance broking and insurance executive roles in London, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. He is the president and chief executive officer of Lawyers’ Mutual Insurance Company, a professional liability insurance provider for California attorneys. He led a modernization effort within the company, hiring new senior leadership, implementing a new enterprise software system, refreshing the branding and marketing, and renovating the office space. Andrew also serves on the board of Lawyers’ Mutual, is the chairman of the board of the California Insurance Guarantee Association and is a board member of Care West Insurance Company. He holds a B.A. in Politics from UC Santa Cruz and spent a year at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland.

Beth Michelson is an advocate for the arts and education and the incoming president of The Council, the Foundation’s premier membership group. Before her role with The Council, Beth was the Executive Director of The Wonder of Reading, a not-for-profit children’s literacy organization. She has been actively engaged in the community through her professional work and philanthropic activities since moving to Los Angeles in 1988. She serves on the Boards of Directors of The Music Center, The Music Center Foundation, Blue Ribbon, and the Pueblo Nuevo Education and Development Group. Additionally, she is on the Library Council’s Advisory Committee and is a Center Dance Arts member. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Princeton University with a B.A. in art and architectural history and received her M.B.A. from Columbia University.

Nyanza Shaw is an entertainment and business attorney with over 25 years of experience. She is the principal attorney of Shaw Esquire and represents a diverse clientele in navigating the legal aspects of the TV, film, music, and media industries. As a dedicated advocate for the convergence of law and art, Nyanza frequently shares her wealth of knowledge on the ever-evolving media landscape, legal challenges in the entertainment business, and intellectual property rights through seminars, workshops, and publications. She is also involved in mentorship and education, advising many young lawyers and law students. Nyanza was formerly President of the John M. Langston Bar Association, is a Mentor at Step Up Women’s Network, and also serves as a Board Member of Our Girls Enrichment Program. Nyanza received her B.A. from Mills College in Oakland, CA, and her J.D. from UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, CA.

Nona Farahnik Yadegar is the director of strategy and operations for Snap Inc.’s product design team. In this role, Nona leads cross-functional product design functions, communications, and processes. She is also the Co-Founder and Chairwoman of Origin Physical Therapy, one of the country’s largest women’s health physical therapy practices. Nona has also served on the Advisory Board of Angel City Sports — a Los Angeles-based non-profit that provides adaptive sports opportunities for kids, adults, and veterans with physical disabilities. She graduated with a B.A. in Political Science and minors in Philosophy and History from Duke University and a J.D. from Columbia Law School, where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar.

For the full list of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles’ Board of Directors and committee members, please visit here.

About the Library Foundation of Los Angeles
For more than 30 years, the Library Foundation of Los Angeles has partnered with the Los Angeles Public Library in its effort to provide all 3.8 million Angelenos with equitable access to thousands of free programs, resources, and services. Through fundraising, advocacy, and programming, the Library Foundation strengthens the library’s commitment to educate and empower every individual in our city’s diverse communities. At the Foundation, we are committed to keeping the library thriving for generations to come and to providing all Angelenos with the tools to enrich and improve their lives. For more information, please visit lfla.org.