Director
Finance and Budget Division
(626) 586-1808
susan.lawi-ayad@lacda.org

As Director of the Office of Finance and Budget for LACDA, Susan Lawi-Ayad is responsible for the strategic financial oversight of an annual budget exceeding $1 billion and leads a team of 30 professionals across accounting, grant management, treasury, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, internal control, budgeting, and financial reporting. With over 30 years of experience in public service, she is committed to sustaining long-term structural balance, protecting public assets, and fostering financial transparency. In addition, Susan utilizes her extensive institutional knowledge to support the agency, ensuring continuity and informed decision-making throughout all financial operations.

Throughout her tenure, Susan has effectively addressed grant compliance, strengthened internal controls, and aligned fiscal resources with the agency’s core objectives. As a collaborative leader and trusted advisor, she works closely with operating divisions to develop financial strategies that achieve budget objectives while respecting each division’s unique programmatic needs. Her leadership in modernizing the agency’s budget and reporting systems has earned the LACDA the prestigious Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

Susan earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Information Systems from the University of Southern California and a Master of Public Administration from California State University, Northridge.