“I want to work hard for the council and the community,” says newly appointed Rolling Hills City Manager Karina Bañales.  November 13 was her first day on the job and she loves doing what she does. “Rolling Hills is a nice and unique community,” she adds. She feels honored to be appointed to this role.

“I really enjoy the relationships that I’ve been establishing with the community and staff,” she comments. “I enjoy the level of partnership, collaboration with the community association, city, and community groups.” She also appreciates the city council’s desire to do what is best for the community.

Karina brings a wealth of experience to her role as City Manager. Before stepping into the realm of public administration, she had a successful career in human resources and risk management. Her experience with the City of San Gabriel, where she handled diverse responsibilities such as public safety recruitment, health insurance, and workers' compensation, provided her with valuable insights into the complexities of city management.

 

Karina’s journey towards becoming a City Manager took shape gradually through roles such as Deputy City Manager for Rancho Palos Verdes and Assistant to the City Manager for Palos Verdes Estates. Her persistence and dedication have now led her to the pinnacle of her career as the City Manager of Rolling Hills, fulfilling a goal that she had envisioned.

 

In her quest to serve Rolling Hills, Karina is committed to making a lasting impact. Expressing her desire to make Rolling Hills her final stop, she envisions accomplishing the city's programs and objectives while maintaining and improving the quality of life for the community. She recognizes the uniqueness of Rolling Hills—a small, tight-knit community with open spaces, embraces a ranch-like feel, and values neighborly connections.

 

Rolling Hills Councilmember Pat Wilson commends Karina as "the right person at the right time" to lead the city through various challenges, including those related to public safety, budgeting, and staff management. Karina has established partnerships with law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and neighboring cities to collaboratively address shared concerns like high fire hazard zones and criminal activities.

 

Karina finds fulfillment in her role, especially in ongoing projects like the Siren Project, aimed at enhancing emergency preparedness. Engaging with stakeholders, city councils, and various jurisdictions, she ensures that the community's needs and concerns are heard and addressed.

 

Outside of work, Karina is an active member of her church's worship team, showcasing her passion for singing. She comments, “I’ve been singing since the age of 4.” She is also a dedicated soccer coach for her daughter Layla and spends quality time with her family—her “fantastic husband” Luke, who works in the public sector, and their three “amazing children,” Layla, Kendall, and Dylan. The family enjoys various activities, from supporting Kendall in her gymnastics competitions to cheering for Dylan in his baseball games.

Beyond work and family, Karina is an avid traveler, having explored 16 different countries before marriage. Her family continues this tradition, aiming to fill their map with pins from various vacation locations, including dreams of visiting Australia, Israel, and exploring more of Mexico, her parents’ country. They can’t wait to see where they go next!

 

In conclusion, Karina sums up her dedication: "I really enjoy being able to give back to the community that I serve." As she navigates the complexities of city management, Karina Bañales remains a passionate leader with a vision for a thriving Rolling Hills community.