We had the good fortune of connecting with Lindsey Horvath and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lindsey, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?

I don’t believe in work-life balance. I think it’s a made-up concept to make women with full lives and big dreams feel bad for being bold and wanting more. Instead, with all the responsibilities I have, I strive to be fully present in all I do. Whether I’m spending time with family & friends or working for my constituents or delivering award-winning creative advertising campaigns, I’m all in. Knowing that I’ve given my all to the people and responsibilities that bring me joy is rewarding and provides a sense of fulfillment.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I serve as the Mayor of West Hollywood – 1.9 square miles of the most fun you’ll ever have in your life! There are not nearly enough female, millennial elected officials, so I love using my power and platform to support and empower other women. Strength in numbers!

I am proud to have a reputation as a bridge- and consensus-builder. I love bringing diverse people and perspectives together to think critically, solve problems, and tackle the most pressing issues facing people in our community.

Getting to this point in my career in public service has not been easy. I lost my first election, and there are still people who try to undermine my work at every turn. Even though I have not been on the winning side of every issue during my terms of service, I have fought for my constituents and the values we hold as a community. That’s what keeps me going – the people who are counting on me to deliver for them.

Elected officials are often known to give a lot of speeches (some of which we hope are actually good). But the most important thing I’ve learned is to listen, listen, and listen some more. People will tell you what they want you to know if you give them the chance. More than hearing you tell them what they want to hear, they want to know that you’ve heard them. Make room for more and different voices at your table. It’s amazing what you’ll learn.

I am a social justice Catholic, and believe we are called to help the least among us in all we do. After my time as an official is through, I hope that people will speak of me as an example of how to lift people up and be a positive force for change; how to have civil discourse, even in times of conflict; and how to have a meaningful, rewarding life in service to others.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Here are some of the places we’d go:

WeHo Bistro, Sunset Marquis, The Abbey, Rocco’s, The Lot, Formosa Cafe, Izakaya Tora, V Wine Room, The Rainbow, The Roxy, The Troubadour, Craig’s, Gracias Madre, Cecconi’s, Zinque, Pizzana, Voda Spa

And that’s just WeHo! We’d also HAVE to go to:

a Dodgers game, a Rams game, Olvera Street, The Hollywood Bowl, The Greek, The Grove, The Getty, the beach, The Great Wall of Los Angeles, the Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, Walt Disney Concert Hall, LACMA, Japanese Garden, a Hollywood Forever screening, Pink’s, In n Out, Takami, Guelaguetza, Lola’s, Tonga Hut, Red Lion Tavern (especially if it’s World Cup)

Just a week? Really??

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shout out my close circle of girlfriends – we call ourselves BREASTfriends – who provide me with daily inspiration, encouragement, and love.

Several years ago, I realized that one way women around me had demonstrated the affection they felt with their close girlfriends was by having them in their wedding. As an unmarried woman who didn’t see marriage in my near future, I decided I would create a new tradition of inviting the women who WOULD be in my wedding party to dinner on New Year’s Eve eve. We talk about how the year has been for us, our dreams for our future, and how much we just genuinely enjoy each other’s company. Some of the women have moved out of state, but we always make a commitment to be together on that day. (This year, it was on Zoom.)

We have been there for each other through family health issues, professional challenges, romantic rollercoasters, self-care emergencies, and everyday life hiccups. Through it all, we’ve remained friends, and I don’t know what I’d do without them.

Instagram: @LindseyPHorvath

Twitter: @LindseyPHorvath

Facebook: facebook.com/LindseyPHorvath

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