The new directors bring deep expertise in literary consulting, architecture and city planning, entertainment, marketing, communications, accounting, and business consulting.

(L-R) Maxwell Anderson, Carolbeth Cozen, Erin Edwards, Erin LaCombe, and Alex Menenberg

LOS ANGELES — The Library Foundation of Los Angeles (LFLA) has added five new board directors whose diverse expertise spans literary consulting, architecture and city planning, accounting, entertainment, marketing, communications, and business consulting. The new directors are Maxwell Anderson, LFLA’s Young Literati chair and founder of literary advisory firm June Street Projects; Carolbeth Cozen, founder and principal of Cozen Architecture and member of the Planning Commission for Palos Verdes Estates; Erin Edwards, vice president of content marketing at the CW Network; Erin LaCombe, president and CEO of strategic communications firm CV Strategies; and Alex Menenberg, partner at risk mitigation and dispute resolution consulting firm HKA Global, LLC.

“I am thrilled to welcome this impressive group of directors to the LFLA board,” Board Chair Debra Albin-Riley said. “Their dedication and deep knowledge across various sectors and industries will significantly enhance our ability to augment and expand the Los Angeles Public Library’s life-changing programs and resources.”

For more than 30 years, LFLA has been a key partner in the Los Angeles Public Library’s work to provide equitable access to knowledge, skills, and opportunities that empower Angelenos across the city. The foundation raises essential funds to sustain and grow crucial programs, including Career Online High School, which enables adults to earn a diploma and open new pathways for their futures; Teens Leading Change, where young people design and lead civic projects that improve their neighborhoods; adult literacy programs that have transformed lives by helping thousands gain critical reading and writing skills; and many others. LFLA also produces free cultural programming—exhibitions, conversations, and performances—that foster creativity, community connection, and civic dialogue.

“We are delighted to announce this new cohort of five extraordinary leaders to our board,” LFLA President and CEO Stacy Lieberman said. “They bring valuable experience, ideas, and passion for LFLA’s mission, and we’re excited to have them join us, especially at a time when libraries—trusted public institutions that champion radically democratic access to knowledge and resources—are more vital than ever. We are confident their energetic leadership will help strengthen our work to bolster the Los Angeles Public Library and the many communities it serves.”

New Board Members

Maxwell Anderson is the founder of June Street Projects, an independent bookselling and literary advisory firm based in Los Angeles. He has worked with organizations including the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference and the Books & Books Literary Foundation on strategy and development initiatives. Previously, he held operational roles for early-stage design and retail companies. A graduate of New York University with honors in English and American Literature and Economics, he also holds an MBA from Harvard University. Anderson currently serves as chair of the LFLA’s Young Literati, a young professionals membership group dedicated to championing the Los Angeles Public Library and its vital role in our city.

Carolbeth Cozen, founder and principal of Cozen Architecture, has led her architectural practice for more than 30 years while serving in leadership roles for the American Institute of Architects at national, regional, and local levels. She is a planning commissioner for Palos Verdes Estates, CA and serves on the boards of the Palos Verdes Golf Club and Palos Verdes Homes Association. She also is spearheading an update to her local library branch, for which she designed innovative outdoor community spaces. Cozen mentors students in the PVIT Engineering Program; co-directs Mobile Pediatric Orthopedic Education, a foundation focused on training medical professionals in underserved countries; and volunteers with the Cambodian Children’s Fund. She holds a BS in marketing and finance from the University of Southern California and a Master of Architecture degree from the Southern California Institute of Architecture.

Erin Edwards is vice president of content marketing at The CW Network, where she leads strategic marketing efforts for original and acquired programming. With more than 15 years of experience in television, streaming, live entertainment, and consumer brand marketing, she has held roles at NBC; Allied Global Marketing; children’s and family television channel the Hub Network; and FOX Broadcasting Company. Edwards is an alumna of the University of California, San Diego.

Erin LaCombe is the president and CEO of CV Strategies, a strategic communications and public engagement firm serving corporate, government, and nonprofit clients across the western United States. An Emmy Award-winning journalist and graduate of the University of Southern California School of Journalism, she began her career at KROQ-FM and held News Director positions at several network television affiliates before launching her firm nearly 20 years ago. LaCombe has served on the boards of The California Club, FIND Food Bank, the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation, and the Coachella Valley Journalism Foundation.

Alex Menenberg is a partner at HKA Global, LLC, an international consulting firm specializing in risk mitigation, dispute resolution, expert witness services, and advisory support. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV), and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), with extensive experience in forensic accounting and business and litigation consulting. Mr. Menenberg has consulted and testified on damages in matters across a variety of industries and is skilled in complex financial modeling and large-scale data analysis. He holds a BA in Economics from Pomona College.

The full list of LFLA’s board of directors and committee members is available at the Board of Directors page at lfla.org.

About the Library Foundation of Los Angeles
The Library Foundation of Los Angeles provides critical support to the Los Angeles Public Library resulting in free programs, resources, and services available to the millions of adults, children, and youth in Los Angeles. Through fundraising, advocacy, and innovative programs, the Library Foundation strengthens the Los Angeles Public Library and promotes greater awareness of its valuable resources. For more information, please visit lfla.org.