Emily Uyeda Kantrim

Emily Uyeda Kantrim

Founder and Interim Executive Director of Safe Parking Los Angeles

Emily Uyeda Kantrim, the interim executive director of Safe Parking LA, has a career characterized by remarkable achievements in addressing homelessness and leading a groundbreaking response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2016, Kantrim began her journey as an advocate for safe parking strategies to address the rapidly growing number of people and families in Los Angeles County whose only source of shelter is their vehicle. Collaborating with Safe Parking LA’s founders, she played a pivotal role in effecting local policy changes that allowed community-based agencies to provide safe parking services.

Kantrim’s commitment to addressing homelessness extends beyond her role at Safe Parking LA. She temporarily stepped away to serve as the Director of COVID Response for LA County. In this role, she oversaw a workforce of 350 multidisciplinary staff, delivering crucial services like testing, vaccinations, quarantine support, and guidance to over 66,000 homeless individuals across Los Angeles County.