Building designer, nonprofit leader and former Architecture Commission Chair Sharon Persovski has entered the 2024 City Council race. She jumps into a crowded field of candidates hoping to fill the seats currently held by Councilmember Lili Bosse and Mayor Dr. Julian Gold.
Persovski believes that her history of leadership on the Architecture Commission and at BHUSD makes her well qualified for the position, while decades of experience in the world of architecture and design set her apart from her fellow candidates.
“When you think about all the different developments that come to the city, it is very important that the skills of architecture and design be applied when analyzing proposed projects,” she told the Courier. “That experience allows you to make informed decisions on whether you should approve the project, deny it or offer suggestions to make it better.”
If elected, her top priorities would be ensuring public safety, supporting entrepreneurship, advancing urban infrastructure and combating antisemitism.
“Right now, the city is facing very challenging times and I feel like it’s important to improve the safety of our city,” she told the Courier. “I would love to see an increase of police officers in the streets, especially now that the Metro is going to open and bring more people into Beverly Hills.”
Persovski was raised in Mexico City’s historic and tight-knit Jewish community and has been heavily impacted by the Oct. 7 attacks and subsequent spike in antisemitic hate.
“Sadly, we have seen a dramatic increase in antisemitic hate crimes in our city. We must do everything we can to rid ourselves of this threat,” Persovski said. “Beverly Hills is for Jews and non-Jews alike; as Americans, we stand together, and we stand for Israel.”
Persovski received her degree in Environmental Graphics Design with a specialization in Interior Design and Architecture from the renowned Universidad Iberoamericana. She went on to design multimillion-dollar hotels, retail, commercial and residential projects all over the world – from Hong Kong to China, Singapore, Tokyo, the U.S., Mexico, Venezuela and Colombia.
She leveraged this knowledge and experience while serving on the Architecture Commission from 2016 to 2022. As chair, she ensured the committee did not miss a beat throughout the turbulence of the pandemic and continued to review dozens of commercial, retail and residential design proposals.
As the mother of two BHUSD graduates, she has also been closely involved in the school system.
She ran an extremely successful iteration of the National PTA’s Reflections Art Program at BHUSD. This annual competition collects artworks crafted from over 300,000 students in pre-K through Grade 12 across the nation. Persovski was also a member of the BHUSD’s Arts Committee and helped develop the Master Arts Education Plan for 2015-2018.
In addition, she founded the nonprofit organization Smiles Through Art and is a member of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce.
“The Beverly Hills City Council needs someone to bring innovation and fresh ideas to the table,” said Persovski. “I have a skill set, personal and professional background different from most candidates who run for this office.
“I hope to be able to serve, and I would be honored to have your vote on March 5.
