Current Board Members
Marsha Hirano-Nakanishi
President
Dr. Marsha Hirano-Nakanishi is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Research and Resources at the California State University Office of the Chancellor. Prior to joining the Office of the Chancellor in 1989, Dr. Hirano-Nakanishi worked in institutional research and on the faculties of CSU Northridge and CSU Los Angeles. Before entering higher education administration, Dr. Hirano-Nakanishi was co-editor-in-chief of the Harvard Educational Review and a policy consultant and analyst on issues regarding educational finance reform, desegregation and language policy. Dr. Hirano-Nakanishi holds a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Stanford University and a doctorate in social policy analysis from Harvard University.
Paula Madison
Vice President
Paula Madison is the Chairman and CEO of Madison Media Management LLC. She also is Chairman of the LA Sparks and a member of the WNBA Board of Governors. Madison recently retired from NBCUniversal, where she was Executive Vice President of Diversity, as well as a Vice President of General Electric (GE). Previously, she worked as a print reporter and television assistant news director and news director. She was also the President and General Manager of KNBC-TV, the NBC-owned station in Los Angeles and the Regional General Manager of the Los Angeles Telemundo stations, KVEA and KWHY.
Madison’s numerous recognitions include Peabody, Emmy, Golden Mike and Regional Edward R. Murrow awards. She was also named one of the "75 Most Powerful African Americans in Corporate America" by Black Enterprise magazine and included in the Hollywood Reporter's "Power 100." Madison is a graduate of Vassar College.
Adam Nathanson
Commissioner
Adam Nathanson is the President and CEO of Mapleton Investments, LLC and Managing Member of Mapleton Associates, LLC. Mapleton Investments manages a broad range of global investments from real estate to private equity to hedge funds to direct investments.
Nathanson has extensive experience in the radio, television and music fields, including founder of Mapleton Communications, General Manager and Head of Business Development for the Beastie Boys’ Grand Royal Records, Director of New Business Development for MTV Latin America and Marketing Coordinator for MTV Europe.
Currently, he is a member of the Los Angeles Chapter of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), a member of the Pacific Council on International Policy, on the Board of Director’s for Mapleton Radio Holdings and serves on the Board of Governors at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. Nathanson received his Bachelor’s degree from Tulane University.
Eduardo Tinoco
Commissioner
Eduardo Tinoco is Associate Dean of Public Services at the University of Southern California (USC) Libraries. Prior to his appointment as Associate Dean, he served as a business librarian at USC; California State University, Northridge; and at Lehman Brothers, Inc. Mr. Tinoco received a Master of Library and Information Science at San Jose State University and a Bachelor of Arts in English at California State University, Northridge. Prior to completing his education, Tinoco served in the United States Army's 75th Ranger Regiment. His current professional affiliations include membership in the American Library Association, Association of College and Research Libraries, and California Academic Research Libraries. In 2012, Tinoco participated in the Harvard Institutes for Higher Education's Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He has extensive experience as a consultant, lecturer, writer and editor.
Rita Walters
Commissioner
Former Los Angeles City Council member Rita Walters was a member of the Los Angeles City Council from 1991-2001, representing the 9th Council District. During her tenure on the City Council, she chaired the Arts, Health and Humanities Committee, which reviewed matters related to the Library Department for the City Council. She previously served on the Los Angeles Unified School District's Board of Education from 1979 - 1991, and was a teacher in the Adult Division of the School District for four years. Ms. Walters has a M.B.A from UCLA's Anderson School of Management and a B.A. from Shaw University.