Board MemberPOURIA ABBASSI
Executive Director and CEO of Associated Students UCLA (ASUCLA)
Pouria Abbassi is the President and CEO of the Golbanoo Group, a specialty business management & consulting firm supporting large scale real estate developments, emerging renewable resources innovations, and digital health and wellness platforms and technologies. In this capacity, Abbassi employs his considerable business, government and multi-discipline expertise to bring value and business development opportunities to firms interested in exceling and expanding in California.
In his previous engagement, Abbassi led Phoenix Houses of California, Inc. (PHC) as its President, overseeing the entire California operations through four companies, across 17 facilities, over 30 programs and a versatile array of behavioral health services available to Californians. During his tenure, PHC achieved a 70% increase in terms of lives touched, a 30% increase in revenues, and significant diversification of products and services.
Prior to Phoenix House, Abbassi was the CEO of Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), a major regional economic engine generating $1B in annual net economic activity and supporting 12,000 jobs. Abbassi developed and implemented a strategic business plan, built upon three pillars of community, business and environment, to significantly enhance the performance output of the LACC. Under his leadership, LACC achieved unprecedented financial, environmental and market results unmatched in the industry anywhere in the nation. Prior to joining the LACC, he led teams in project engineering, debt financing, financial modeling, environmental analysis and information technology implementation.
A registered mechanical engineer in the State of California and a graduate of UCLA School of Engineering and Anderson School of Management/Executive Management Program, Abbassi has published several scientific papers and is a recipient of over 30 business and performance awards. He sits on the boards of the Los Angeles Business Council, Providence Tarzana Hospital Foundation, Woodbury University, PAAIA, Norooz Celebration Foundation, and works with various other community organizations. Pouria is also an active member of the Pacific Council on International Policy. A firm believer in youth nourishment and education, Abbassi frequently gives presentations on leadership and visioning to student groups ranging from elementary schools through graduate schools and mentors young professionals in their careers.