Last week, Thrive LA brought together members, civic leaders, and engaged Angelenos for a timely and candid conversation about the future of Los Angeles. Hosted at the headquarters of Up.Labs, a leading transportation and mobility innovation company, the evening centered on the stark challenges facing our city—and the real opportunity we have to course-correct in the 2026 elections.
The panel featured Jon Regardie, a sharp and insightful political commentator known for his coverage of LA politics; former City Councilmember Jan Perry, whose decades of public service brought grounded perspective and bold ideas; and former City Controller Ron Galperin, who offered a data-driven lens into government inefficiency and accountability. Together, they unpacked the complex conditions contributing to Los Angeles’ current crisis—rising homelessness, declining public safety, and rampant waste—and challenged us to think critically about what kind of leadership is needed next.
A few themes rose to the top: that leading with ideology instead of an eye for results will always lead us astray; that we shouldn’t aim to restore the past, but rather set a new standard for quality of life in LA; and that the 2026 elections present an enormous opportunity to elect pragmatic leaders who are willing to make the hard decisions this moment demands.
We’re especially grateful to Up.Labs for opening their space and helping make this conversation possible. And to everyone who joined us—thank you. At Thrive LA, we believe conversations like these are essential—not just to understanding the crisis we’re in, but to organizing around the opportunity ahead.