Rec and Park Spokeswoman to Leave Department for Cash-Flush Democratic Group

Recreation and Park Department Spokeswoman Lisa Seitz Gruwell will be leaving city government after just over a year on the job, department General Manager Phil Ginsburg announced today.

The spokeswoman goes. The pagoda abides

​Speaking at this afternoon's Recreation and Park Commission meeting, Ginsburg said Seitz Gruwell plans to take a new job as an executive at the Democracy Alliance, a coalition of wealthy donors that supports liberal causes. The group was founded in 2005 with major backing from billionaire George Soros.

Prior to her hiring at Rec and Park, Seitz Gruwell worked as COO of a foundation in Silicon Valley, as well as in political positions for elected officials in the California and Montana state senates. She is married to Chris Gruwell, finance chairman for Mayor Gavin Newsom's 2007 re-election campaign.

It is unclear when Seitz Gruwell will end her tenure at the department. "My first job will always be that of a mother, and I will be at the parks almost on a daily basis with my kids," she said at today's meeting.

Photo   |   David Paul Ohmer