Meet Francis

Francis Pollara is a businessman, appointed public servant, and lifelong resident of the district. He holds an MBA from the USC Marshall School of Business and is an alumnus of Pasadena City College and ArtCenter College of Design. Professionally, Francis is recognized as a leader in infrastructure, innovation, and public-private partnerships. For 37 years, this community has shaped his life, and PCC played a foundational role in his educational journey. As a high school student, he took his first college courses at PCC, learning at an early age how to navigate the system and accelerate his path forward.

Francis was raised in a family of educators, giving him a deep respect for academic institutions and the challenges they face. His mother is a Professor Emeritus and a leader in nursing education, and his father spent decades at Caltech and JPL contributing to advanced research and innovation. That background instilled in him a belief that education is not just about credentials, it is about opportunity and transformation.

Professionally, Francis has built a career at the intersection of public policy, private-sector innovation, and infrastructure development. He has founded and scaled companies, managed venture investments, and worked inside Los Angeles City Hall as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence, where he helped deliver real-world solutions during times of crisis. He co-founded Urban Movement Labs, raising millions of dollars to deploy innovative infrastructure and mobility solutions, and continues to advise organizations working to strengthen economic and technological systems.

Currently, Francis is the founding partner of Twoº & Rising, an advisory firm focused on unlocking U.S. foreign partnerships and foreign direct investment to deploy and scale clean technology solutions across the country. He was appointed as Chair of the Sustainability and Resilience Commission and Vice Chair of the Design Commission in La Cañada Flintridge, where he has helped guide the community through infrastructure and emergency preparedness challenges. He also serves on the board of the YMCA of the Foothills and the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator – focused on accelerating the commercialization of clean technologies, fostering green job creation, and advancing an inclusive, sustainable economy.

As a father of two, Francis is deeply invested in the future of the community and its institutions. He is running for the PCC Board of Trustees to ensure the college continues to deliver on its promise – protecting taxpayer investments, strengthening workforce pathways, and preparing students for success in a rapidly changing economy.

THREE CORE ISSUES

1. Connecting Students to Jobs
Pasadena City College must play a leading role in addressing critical workforce shortages across our region, especially in healthcare. Francis will prioritize completing the college’s national nursing accreditation and establishing formal partnerships with leading healthcare providers like City of Hope, Huntington Hospital and Kaiser Permanente to expand clinical placements and ensure students have clear pathways into high-demand careers.

He will also strengthen dual enrollment and partnerships with local school districts so students can begin earning college credit earlier, reducing costs and accelerating their path into the workforce. In addition, Francis will expand credit for prior learning so veterans and working professionals can translate real-world experience into credentials more quickly.

By aligning programs with workforce needs and removing barriers to entry, PCC can close regional gaps while creating faster, more accessible pathways to stable, well-paying careers.

2. Expanding Skilled Trades
Skilled trades are the backbone of the regional economy, yet too many programs remain underdeveloped or disconnected from modern industry needs. Francis will expand and modernize PCC’s career education programs in areas like construction, electrical, and advanced automotive technology to create a regional training hub.

He will ensure these programs reflect the evolving demands of infrastructure, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing, while integrating emerging technologies like artificial intelligence in a responsible, human-centered way that enhances learning and job readiness.

Francis also believes PCC can serve as a hub for applied, real-world problem solving and can prepare students to work on challenges like wildfire resilience, sustainable infrastructure, and water systems. His goal is to ensure students are prepared not just for today’s jobs, but for the industries that will define the region’s future.

3. Ensuring Fiscal Accountability
With a $565 million bond investment, PCC has a responsibility to ensure every dollar is spent effectively, transparently, and with purpose. Francis brings real-world experience managing large-scale infrastructure projects and will apply strict oversight to ensure funds are tied directly to student outcomes and workforce programs.

He will also prioritize aligning facilities investments with community needs, including positioning PCC as a designated community resilience hub capable of supporting students and residents during emergencies through upgraded infrastructure and preparedness planning.

Francis is committed to maintaining stable, professional governance that emphasizes transparency, accountability, and collaboration. His approach is simple: every investment must serve a clear purpose, deliver measurable value, and honor the trust of taxpayers while strengthening PCC’s role in the community.