Cultural Affairs Commissioner. Nonprofit Executive. Business Owner. Public Schools & Community Volunteer.
4th Generation Union Member. Neighbor. Mom. MBA. Leader.

Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin is running for Culver City Council because she believes city government is at its best when leaders respond with compassion and vision to all who live, work, and enjoy Culver City. A proud fourth-generation union member, mother of a union teacher, lifelong Democrat, Feminist, nonprofit executive, business owner, public schools advocate, community volunteer, neighbor, and full-time working mom, Jeannine is in her 8th year as a Cultural Affairs Commissioner. 

Jeannine and her husband bought their first and only home in Culver City after the birth of their first child, drawn by the strong community spirit, beautiful tree-lined streets, and excellent public schools. All three of their daughters attended CCUSD schools from kindergarten through high school.

Civic Engagement/Community Involvement
Jeannine began her civic engagement as a room parent and board member of the PTA and booster clubs in Culver City public schools. Her dedication led to her securing a position on the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC), overseeing the use of $106 Million general obligation bonds for school repair and construction. Additionally, she served on the Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathways Committee for Culver City High School, working to expand educational opportunities for students. She currently serves on the District Community Arts Team. An advocate of parks and green space, she co-founded Culver City Great Parks, a nonprofit formed to upgrade and improve city playgrounds and parks. Following the tragic Sandy Hook murders, she produced a school safety forum uniting city council, police, fire, and community members to discuss safety at schools. Believing strongly in community and collaboration, Jeannine co-founded several other grassroots organizations focused on local issues in schools, parks, and neighborhoods.

Cultural Affairs Commission
In 2016, Jeannine was appointed to the Cultural Affairs Commission, where she served two terms from 2016-2024. In addition to serving two years as Chair, she collaborated on selecting and funding local performing arts organizations through the annual Performing Arts Grant, recommending over $1Million in matching grants for performances in Culver City. She co-created the Culver City Artist Laureate Program, co-authored the commission’s diversity, equity, and inclusion statement, and advised on the relaunch of the beloved annual Summer Sunset Concert Series, among other initiatives. 

Union/Professional Life
In her professional life, Jeannine has been a member of SAG-AFTRA for over two decades. With her union, she serves on the Hollywood Local Women’s Committee and the Government Affairs and Public Policy Committee. 

She currently holds the position of President/Managing Director for an award-winning nonprofit performing arts organization and recently served as Vice President of Operations for a nonprofit international trade association. In 2019, she was honored with a career achievement award for her work in Los Angeles theatre. Her other business experience includes working as a consultant and marketing director for companies in diverse sectors such as political candidates, local businesses, nonprofits, home healthcare, special education, business reengineering, factory automation, clean water, the environment, and the federal government. 

Politics & Advocacy
Jeannine is a co-founder of the Heart of LA Democratic Club, the first feminist Democratic Club in LA County, promoting feminist issues and increased representation of women at all levels of government. She is a climate, workers’ rights, and gun control advocate, actively supporting causes and organizations such as Moms Demand Action, Planned Parenthood, the World Wildlife Fund, Californians for the Arts, Sierra Club, and ACLU.

Commitment to Culver City
Jeannine has extensive experience in community building and successfully running businesses, and she is passionate about affordable housing, a working wage, environmental sustainability, mobility, and public safety. Jeannine understands the importance of connecting hearts and minds through art and the challenges of keeping a business open and making payroll. She is ready to meet Culver City’s unique challenges and opportunities head-on and aims to do the most good for the most people. 

Culver City has rapidly transformed from a sleepy town to a bustling, modern city. Being self-governing and part of the most populated county in California brings unique challenges and opportunities. Jeannine understands these challenges and is uniquely positioned to help guide the city through them. As a longtime community advocate and Cultural Affairs Commissioner, she understands on a granular level how city government works and believes that city government is at its best when leaders respond to the needs of residents, businesses, workers, and visitors. 

From housing and homelessness to public safety, traffic, sustainability, and ensuring safe and beautiful streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and all forms of mobility, Jeannine pledges to serve with compassion and understanding. Her goal is to make Culver City a safe, inclusive, thriving, and welcoming place for all.

Endorsements
Jeannine is proud to have the support of hundreds of community leaders and members, including the majority of the current and past Culver City Council, the entire Cultural Affairs Commission, well-known environmentalists, animal rights groups, equality proponents, and leaders inside and outside Culver City, such as LA Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, LA City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, Congressmember Judy Chu, Congressmember Ted Lieu (who represents part of Culver City), and State Senator Laura Friedman.

As the only union member in the race, Jeannine has the distinction of being the only candidate for City Council to have earned the coveted endorsement of the LA Federation of Labor. Other organizational endorsements include a broad coalition such as the Culver City Firefighters Association, Everytown for Gun Safety, Culver City Democrats United, Heart of LA Democratic Club, Democrats for the Protection of Animals, IBEW Local 11, IBEW Local 40, Culver City Chamber of Commerce, Culver City Neighbors United, and BizFedPac. You can read more about her endorsements here:

Education
She earned her undergraduate degree in Communications from the University of Illinois and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech). In addition, she earned a certificate in classical theatre from the New York Shakespeare Conservatory, and a certificate in comedy improv from the Players Workshop of the Second City

Personal
Jeannine shares her home with her husband, daughters, and foster animals. When not jogging or walking through Culver City’s tree-lined streets or hiking the local mountains, she dedicates her spare time to fostering newborn kittens with local rescue groups.