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Leadership Award
The Leadership Award recognizes an exemplary individual who has distinguished herself by achieving a level of success well beyond the standards of her industry and the business community

Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Port of Los Angeles

An innovative and inspirational leader, Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D., is blazing new trails as the first female Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, the nation’s No. 1 container port.

Since becoming Executive Director three years ago, Dr. Knatz has focused on new ways to achieve “green growth.” Working with her team to “think outside the box,” she has overseen the development of initiatives that reduce air emissions and lessen health risks to local communities, while expanding capital development programs to accommodate the Port’s future growth as a premier Pacific gateway and national economic engine.

For example, Dr. Knatz has been instrumental in the creation and implementation of the landmark San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan, a comprehensive strategy for reducing air emissions from operations at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach by roughly 50% over five years.

Her efforts facilitated the first joint meeting of the two ports’ Board Presidents and Vice Presidents since the 1920s and the first-ever public meeting of the Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbor Commissions. Already, the plan has paved the way for the Los Angeles Harbor Commission to approve two major container terminal expansion projects and a new deep-draft marine oil terminal on Pier 400.

A key element of the Clean Air Action Plan, the Clean Truck Program, is designed to encourage rapid improvement of air quality at the Port by progressively banning older trucks from Port access and through use of grants and financial incentives that will allow trucking companies to accelerate the replacement of older, high-polluting trucks with newer, cleaner versions. The Port recently began the process of distributing an estimated $44 million in incentive checks to the Clean Truck Program concessionaire applicants.

For several years before her arrival, regulatory issues kept the Port from approving projects. But with her take-charge approach and relentless energy, Dr. Knatz has broken the gridlock.

From Impossible to Done

The idea of the Clean Air Action Plan seemed “rather radical,” but she noted that “nothing is off the table. I came here thinking that we have to eliminate health risks to the community. Everyone said it’s impossible. So I picked up the expression, ‘It’s impossible, it’s difficult, it’s done.’”

While she’s overseen great strides in environmental initiatives, Dr. Knatz also has spearheaded the implementation of the Port’s Small Business Development Program, which in its first year exceeded its 25% contract goal, with 34% of contracts going to Small Business Enterprises. Today, in the midst of a severe economic downturn, she continues to look for ways to partner with the Port’s customers to keep business in the region.

Although she’s spent nearly her entire career in the port industry – including her last role as Managing Director of the Port of Long Beach – Dr. Knatz discovered new energy when she became Executive Director at the Port of Los Angeles. Realizing she could set the vision and help “really affect change and make things happen” has “opened up a whole new world of possibilities” and proved extremely invigorating.

Even with her 12-hour work days in the office and then bringing home her “homework,” Dr. Knatz taps into her boundless energy to pursue other endeavors, such as teaching in the Civil Engineering School at USC (where she earned two degrees); volunteering at the Phineas Banning Residence Museum in Wilmington during the Christmas holidays; and engaging in her passion for history by helping to document and preserve the Port’s archives and photos for future generations. Plus, she makes sure to mention, she takes great care of her pink 1957 T-Bird convertible, which has appeared in local parades and events.

A Focus on “We,” Not “I”

In addition to all she manages both professionally and personally, Dr. Knatz ensures she makes the Port a positive, team-oriented place to work. From upping tuition reimbursement and encouraging staff members to submit new ideas, to directing a remodel of the Port cafeteria and personally baking for employees, Dr. Knatz feels strongly about investing in the organization’s future and building loyalty.

One of her key rules of management, she noted, involves a focus on “we,” not “I” – a lesson passed on by a manager early in her career.

“It’s about we the team, the organization and sharing the credit,” she said. “No one person can do it on his or her own.”

Dr. Knatz sees this same focus in NAWBO-LA, where women share, mentor and do more than just build their own businesses. Although she’s received numerous awards and accolades – including the Chinese Friendship Award, Volunteers of America (2009); Compass Award, Women’s Leadership Exchange West Coast (2008); Woman Executive of the Year, Los Angeles Business Journal (2007); one of the “Outstanding Women in Transportation,” Journal of Commerce (2007); and one of “The West 100,” Los Angeles Times Magazine’s list of the most powerful people in Southern California (2006) – she views her NAWBO-LA Leadership Award with a special appreciation.

“NAWBO-LA is an organization that is really at the forefront,” she said, citing its magnitude and dynamic leaders and members. “I’m extremely impressed with the women. It’s not just the honor of receiving the Leadership Award from NAWBO; it’s been a great experience getting to know them.”

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