Commissioner Kristine Choulakian was appointed to the Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities by Supervisor Lindsay Horvath on May 6, 2025. Commissioner Choulakian is an advocate committed to the well-being and equity of individuals who are senior and/or living with a disability. Having earned her bachelor’s degree in Gerontology and her master’s degree in health administration from the University of Southern California (USC), she has been dedicated to serving individuals who are senior or living with a disability for the past 23 years through her work at the Personal Assistance Services Council (PASC) of Los Angeles County to enhance their quality of life.

Throughout her career, she has strived to ensure that older adults and individuals living with a disability receive the care, resources, and dignity they deserve. Her experience spans direct service delivery, program management, strategic planning, and community outreach, while collaborating with public agencies and local organizations to expand access to essential services including housing assistance, in-home care, and transportation services. What drives her most is the belief that every person – regardless of age or disability – deserves to live with respect, independence, and purpose. She brings strong interpersonal skills and a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges facing individuals living with a disability and welcomes the opportunity to bring her experience, passion, and dedication to the Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities.

Commissioner Héctor Manuel Ramírez was appointed by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath of the Third District on September 26, 2023. Commissioner Héctor Manuel Ramírez (they/them) is a disability rights advocate who is Autistic, DV survivor, hard of hearing, psychiatric disability, and LongCOVID. They are Mexican & of Apache ancestry. Commissioner Ramírez works with county, state, and national organizations, as well as policy makers, to contribute to legislation that reduces health disparities and improves outcomes for equity seeking populations. Their advocacy work in this area has been instrumental in increasing access to mental health services for individuals with disabilities in California. Héctor is a commissioner with the California Commission on Disability and Access, and a member of the Inter-Tribal Disability Advocacy Council at the Native American Disability Law Center. Commissioner Ramírez is also a co-chair of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Access For All MHSA subcommittee for people with disabilities, and national and state ABLE Ambassador. They is an emeritus board member with the National Disability Rights Network, Disability Rights California, and Governor Newson’s Behavioral Health Task Force. Commissioner Ramírez resides in the city of Chatsworth in the unceded ancestral lands of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians.

Commissioner Louise Smith was appointed by Supervisor Sheila Kuehl of the Third District on June 20, 2017. Commissioner Smith is a post-polio survivor who is retired from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She worked at the medical center for 34 years in the capacity of Manager of the Division of Transfusion Medicine. She holds a BS degree from Arizona State University and a MPA from California State University Northridge. In her profession many State, National and International boards and committees pertaining to the field of Transfusion Medicine, blood labeling, blood collection and Immunohematology. Since retirement, Commissioner Smith serves on her Homeowner Association as a Board of Director and was appointed to the City of West Hollywood’s Disabilities Advisory Board. Her interests are in the availability of health care for the disabled community and encourage furthering education for people living with disabilities.