Cal Cities Speaker Series presents: Ali Sajjad Taj, League of California Cities President and Artesia Council Member

League of California Cities President and Artesia Council Member Ali Sajjad Taj’s path to public service began nearly 25 years ago when he immigrated to Artesia, California, from Pakistan. Once here, Taj worked in an electronics store before putting himself through college. In 2013, when the city was experiencing financial troubles, he jumped at the opportunity to run for city council and use his financial expertise to give back to a city that had already given him so much.

Ali’s personal story and inspiring path to leadership define his strong belief in the power of collective action and the importance of improving the lives of all California residents — just as the city of Artesia did for him.

Join President Taj for the latest installment of Cal Cities’ Speaker Series, where he will share his personal story, insights on leadership, and the “why” that keeps him going. In a moderated discussion with Cal Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman, President Taj will share his priorities for the year and discuss how elected officials can work together to address some of the biggest challenges facing cities.

Registration is offered at no charge as a benefit for Cal Cities members and Cal Cities Partners. Please review Cal Cities’ event and meeting policies.

About the Speaker

Ali Sajjad Taj was first elected to the Artesia City Council in December 2013 and served as mayor from 2016-17 and 2019-20. Throughout his tenure on the city council, Taj has focused his efforts on solving day-to-day quality of life issues for Artesia residents by supporting projects that improve the city’s lighting, street quality, and traffic safety, while being an advocate for bringing new businesses that generate revenue for city services and provide new amenities for residents.