July City Impact Lab: Michael Lawson on Integrity

Senior Project Associate

What you need to know about Max:

Max is a scientist at heart. Working with companies and organizations across Canada and the US has shown him first-hand that the keys to innovation are adaptive systems and structured experiments.

At Stratiscope, Max conducts in-depth community research and works with clients to develop tailored strategic frameworks that adapt to changing systems and are easy to understand and implement. When not at work, Max can be found indulging in one of many hobbies: reading, climbing, drawing, playing Go, cooking, or giving dogs more attention than their owners.

What people say about Max:

“Max is super smart, innovative, curious, and committed to positive change—an unbeatable combination.” – Sara Blenkhorn, Founder, Leverage Lab

Expertise:

— Strategy: I design adaptive strategic frameworks that improve learning and innovation.
— Research and Analysis: I find signal among noise.
— Clarity: I distill the abstruse into the crisp, communicable, and actionable.

Philosophy on Connecting People:

“The sum is greater than its parts.”

Events & Office Coordinator

What you need to know about Joe:

A native Angeleno, Joe has a commitment to the community he calls home. At Stratiscope, Joe organizes all logistics for client events, and is the lead coordinator for the City Impact Lab’s monthly Social Impact Breakfasts. His experience comes from working in the entertainment industry, especially in the area of live performance. He’s committed to getting to know the community, and gets around the city by public transport.

Through his work at Stratiscope, Joe also maintains the operations of the company, making sure all areas function effectively. Joe is passionate about animation, film, and music. On his time off, he can be found around Los Angeles at just about every record store, concert venue, and hole-in-the-wall eatery.

Community Engagement Manager

What you need to know about Adam:

Adam Galia brings more than seven years of professional experience to Stratiscope that includes work with nonprofits in the areas of development and volunteer management, as well as his experience as a political campaign manager and representative for an elected official in the California State Senate.

Adam has worked with youth, businesses, city councils, and stakeholder groups to address needs and solve problems. He is hands-on, loves meeting new people, and is dedicated to making change happen. In his free time, Adam can be found playing tennis and outdoors enjoying nature and the California sun!

What people say about Adam:

“Adam Galia is unmatched in his ability to build strategic relationships and develop strategies that influence public policy.” – Joone Lopez, General Manager, Moulton Niguel Water District

“Adam is always quick to respond and follows through on his promises. His collaborative spirit and can-do work ethic were appreciated during the time I worked with him.” – Scott Smith, CEO, Cerritos Regional Chamber of Commerce

Expertise:

— Mobilizing: I thrive on identifying people’s interests and energizing those people
— Collaborating: I love the challenge of working with diverse stakeholders to find common ground to develop practical solutions.

Philosophy on Connecting People:

“I like working with people, learning about their backgrounds, and helping them to achieve their goals. It’s not about you, but about them and their passion.”

Vice President

What you need to know about Angela:

An Idaho transplant, Angela believes in the small-town civic engagement ideals experienced in her youth and applies them to work she does in the neighborhoods of the city she now calls home. She has worked for two Los Angeles mayors and two Los Angeles City Council members as a policy advisor, community representative, and business development specialist.

Through her work, she became a “Queen of Hollywood,” noted for her expertise in getting things done in the community of Tinseltown. Angela has been seen with her sleeves rolled up at a community clean-up in the morning, speaking at a Walk of Fame Star Ceremony later that day, and connecting power-players at a gala event that night. She can often be found singing and playing her ukulele in front of any audience who will listen.

What people say about Angela:

“Angela delivers results that have a real impact.” – Ana Guerrero, Chief of Staff to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti

“Here in Hollywood, we always turned to Angela for help when we tackled projects that involved working with the city. She was the ‘secret ingredient’ to our success.” – Kerry Morrison, Executive Director, Hollywood Property Owners Alliance

Expertise:

— Mediating: I am not afraid of a hostile room and can leave having created common ground.
— Educating: I can take a complex or mind numbing issue and make it
— Problem solving: No challenge is insurmountable with the right set of tools.

Philosophy on Connecting People:

“We all have stories to tell. Let’s share them.”