The Los Angeles administration, led by Mayor Karen Bass, has appointed Daniela Simunovic as the new chief heat officer. This appointment occurred on May 31, following the discreet dismissal of Marta Segura, the role’s inaugural holder. Simunovic brings experience from her previous position as Bass’s senior director of climate and sustainability, a role she held for three years.
The chief heat officer is tasked with managing the city’s response to extreme heat, a critical climate danger in California. Simunovic will also direct the city’s Climate Emergency Mobilization Office. Last year, Bass considered eliminating this office due to a $1-billion budget shortfall, but the L.A. City Council opposed this, opting to move the office to the Emergency Management Department from Public Works.
Los Angeles established the Climate Emergency Mobilization Office in early 2021 to coordinate efforts to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and safeguard residents from climate-related threats. At that time, then-Mayor Eric Garcetti appointed Segura as the director. In its evolution, the director role expanded to include the chief heat officer responsibilities, making Los Angeles one of the first U.S. cities, alongside Phoenix and Miami, to have such a designated position.
On the worst heat days, L.A. County reports that heat-related illnesses make up about 1% of emergency department visits. In 2025, there were 10 recorded heat-related deaths.
Segura’s salary in 2025 was approximately $222,000, whereas Simunovic earned about $161,000 during her tenure as senior director. Before her work with Los Angeles, Simunovic was a senior advisor for the California Air Resources Board, which manages air pollution protection.
The appointment was initially reported by Substack Climate Colored Goggles and later confirmed by a spokesperson from Mayor Bass’s office in a statement. The statement noted that many stakeholders anticipate Simunovic’s leadership positively, particularly under the current Extreme Heat Warning for Los Angeles.
The Climate Emergency Mobilization Office collaborates with community partners to develop the Heat Action and Resilience Plan, expected to be completed by early 2027. Despite initial plans to cut the office, Bass has supported numerous climate initiatives, aiming for 100% renewable energy by 2035.
The Climate Action Plan, unveiled in April, includes doubling local solar installations by 2030, curbing fossil fuel use in buildings and public transportation, and addressing heat risks by planting more trees for shade, establishing cooling centers, and crafting the Heat Action and Resilience Plan.