Meet Team DEO

Kelly LoBianco is the first Director of the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). DEO is the central economic and workforce development agency of LA County. Through a regional strategy and community-centered policy and programs, the department seeks to unlock the vast potential of our local workers and small businesses; drive new, competitive investment that creates quality jobs, career pathways, and diverse talent pipelines; support economic security and mobility for all residents; and collectively build an equitable economy poised for inclusive and sustainable growth. Kelly was appointed Director in July of 2022. She joined the County in 2021 to support the department’s establishment.

Jessica Ku Kim has worked in economic and workforce development within LA County since 2005 and brings local community knowledge and trust, field experience, subject matter expertise, organizational and sector leadership, and demonstrated outcomes for economic and workforce development programs and services, public-private partnerships, and collaborative systems change. As Chief Deputy of LA County’s Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), Jessica oversees the operations of DEO to ensure enhanced economic and workforce development policy, programs and services, commissions, administration, public affairs and communications, and information technology and data management and analytics that serve to create quality jobs, help small businesses and high-road employers start and grow, and build vibrant local communities and spaces.