Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, MPA

Leader in Economic Development and Urban Planning

NRDC-IE Industry Expert Ranking: Tier 1 – Urban Impact Strategist

Rate: $275/hour

EXPERT BIOGRAPHY

Tunua Thrash-Ntuk is an award-winning strategist in equitable urban development, economic mobility, and real estate planning. She currently serves as Executive Director of West Angeles Community Development Corporation (CDC), where she oversees more than $100 million in real estate assets and affordable housing developments that uplift underserved communities across Los Angeles.

With over two decades of experience in public administration and community revitalization, Tunua’s career spans a unique blend of housing development, financial empowerment, and policy advocacy. She has brokered multimillion-dollar public-private partnerships and layered complex financing structures using tax credits, federal grants, and philanthropic capital to deliver sustainable projects that generate long-term impact for low-income residents.

Previously, she served as Executive Director of the Los Angeles Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC LA), where she led economic development initiatives and deployed over $100 million in capital to underserved neighborhoods. Under her leadership, LISC LA launched the “Housing for Health” initiative and advanced capital access for Black and Brown small businesses during the pandemic.

Tunua serves on the board of the California Association of Local Economic Development (CALED) and chairs the LA Metro Crenshaw-LAX Community Leadership Council. She has worked on more than 30 funded grant projects focused on equitable housing, transit-oriented development, small business support, and financial literacy. Her expertise supports municipalities, foundations, and CDFIs working to advance equity through place-based investment.

An inspiring public speaker and frequent media commentator, Tunua champions inclusive growth and racial equity in urban design. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School and is a Coro Fellow alumna. Her work has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the California State Treasurer’s Office, and national media outlets.