Independent Staff Report
WEST HOLLYWOOD — Lauren Meister was sworn in as mayor of West Hollywood during ceremonies Sept. 20 and Councilwoman Sepi Shyne was installed as mayor pro tempore during the City Council’s annual reorganization and installation meeting.
The swearing in was held as part of a virtual teleconference prior to the regular City Council meeting.
Meister was elected to the City Council in 2015 and re-elected in 2019. She became involved with the city as a neighborhood watch captain, took the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s community emergency response team training, and attended the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Community Academy.
She went on to lead the largest neighborhood association in the city, representing residents on issues such as public safety, traffic circulation, parking and development.
Shyne made history in November 2020 when she was elected to the City Council as the first LGBT Iranian elected anywhere globally and locally became the first woman of color elected to City Council.
Her election also ushered in West Hollywood’s first female-majority City Council. Her priorities include advocating for affordable housing, protecting renters and social service programs, social justice, small business revival and bringing the people’s voices to City Hall.
She received a bachelor of science from San Jose State University with a double concentration in accounting and management information systems and a minor in drama with an emphasis in directing. She received her juris doctorate with a specialization certificate in litigation from Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco.
