Following an extensive recruitment process, Maruja Clensay has been appointed as the new Assistant Community Development Director, effective August 12, 2024. Ms. Clensay brings extensive experience from both the public and private sectors.
Maruja Clensay served as Chief of Staff for County of Ventura’s District 1 Supervisor Matt LaVere. In this role, she advised Supervisor LaVere on land use planning, zoning, public works, and entitlement procedures. She also oversaw office operations, personnel, budget, and constituent concerns and served as the Executive Officer for the Ojai Valley Municipal Advisory Council.
“Maruja’s extensive background in both the public and private sectors, coupled with her deep community roots, makes her an exceptional addition to our team,” said Rachel Dimond, Community Development Director. “Her leadership and commitment to public service will undoubtedly contribute to Ventura’s continued success and growth.”
Before joining Supervisor LaVere’s office, Ms. Clensay worked in the private sector as a project manager for a reputable land use entitlement firm in Santa Barbara for nearly a decade. She managed numerous housing, institutional, and commercial projects throughout Santa Barbara County, including the Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the MOXI Children’s Museum, the Santa Barbara Zoo, and residential and subdivision projects.
Ms. Clensay previously served as a Senior Planner for the City of Ventura, where she managed complex and controversial housing, commercial, and subdivision projects before the Planning Commission and City Council. She also played a vital role in the City’s recovery efforts following the Thomas Fire, assisting with numerous rebuild projects.
“I’m excited to join the Community Development Department under the leadership of Director Rachel Dimond and City Manager Bill Ayub,” said Maruja Clensay. “With extensive experience in both public and private sectors, I am excited to return to the City in this role and re-engage with our community, focusing on advancing the City’s land development processes with an emphasis on public outreach, transparency, and accountability.”
Ms. Clensay holds a Master’s degree in Community and Regional Planning and a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies, focusing on Community Organizing and Gender Studies. During her graduate studies, she was honored with the “Community and Regional Planning Program Community Building Award,” which highlighted her dedication to community building.
A native of Ventura, Ms. Clensay was born in Oxnard, raised in Santa Paula, and moved to Ventura as a teenager. She has deep roots in the community, with her family having long been involved in local businesses, including the Ventura Antique Market and a stained-glass business. A St. Bonaventure High School graduate and a proud Ventura resident, Ms. Clensay has always returned to Ventura after her studies, maintaining a strong connection to her hometown.
For more information about the City’s Community Development Department, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/CD