Mayor Karen Bass held a press conference at Pecan Recreation Center to address the upcoming heat wave. During the event, it was confirmed that the administration had quietly appointed a new chief heat officer over a month ago. Daniela Simunovic stepped into the role on May 31 after the previous officer, Marta Segura, was discreetly dismissed.

Simunovic, with three years of experience as Bass’s senior director of climate and sustainability, is now tasked with managing the city’s response to extreme heat events. These events pose a significant climate risk in California. In addition to her new role, Simunovic will lead the city’s Climate Emergency Mobilization Office.

The decision to retain this office follows the L.A. City Council’s rejection of Mayor Bass’s proposal to eliminate it amid a $1-billion budget shortfall. The council chose to move the office from Public Works to the Emergency Management Department. Established in early 2021, the office coordinates efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and address climate disasters exacerbated by global warming.

Marta Segura was the first to direct this initiative under former Mayor Eric Garcetti. In 2022, she became the chief heat officer as well, making Los Angeles the third city in the U.S. to adopt such a position after Phoenix and Miami. On particularly hot days, heat-related illnesses can account for almost 1 in 100 emergency room visits in L.A. County. In 2025, there were 10 confirmed heat-related deaths according to recent county data.

Payroll records show Segura earned about $222,000 in 2025, while Simunovic’s compensation as senior director was approximately $161,000 last year. Before her current governmental role, Simunovic served as a senior advisor with the California Air Resources Board, which focuses on protecting the public from air pollutants.

Her appointment was first reported by Substack Climate Colored Goggles, later confirmed by Mayor Bass’s office. Partners and stakeholders are reportedly pleased with her leadership, particularly during the current Extreme Heat Warning for Los Angeles.

The Climate Emergency Mobilization Office is collaborating with community partners on the development of L.A.’s Heat Action and Resilience Plan, set for completion by early 2027. Despite previous budget cut attempts, Mayor Bass remains committed to advancing L.A.’s climate objectives. These include the goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2035. The Climate Action Plan, unveiled in April, outlines strategies such as doubling solar power by 2030, reducing fossil fuel dependency in buildings and city transit, planting trees for shade, setting up cooling centers, and devising the Heat Action and Resilience Plan.