Newsom appoints Lauren Sanchez as new chair of California Air Resources Board

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a series of appointments to key state positions, including the next Chair of the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Liane Randolph, who has served as CARB Chair since 2021, will retire from state service effective September 30, 2025. Lauren Sanchez, currently Senior Advisor to the Governor for Climate, will take over as CARB Chair starting October 1, 2025.

Chair Randolph’s career in public service spans more than two decades. Before leading CARB, she held several leadership roles in California state government, including Commissioner at the California Public Utilities Commission and Deputy Secretary and General Counsel at the California Natural Resources Agency.

“Liane stepped into this role at a moment of deep uncertainty and never flinched. For five years, she’s led with vision and resolve — expanding California’s work to clean the air in our hardest-hit communities while charting the course for California to become the world’s largest economy committed to net-zero carbon,” said Governor Newsom. “Beyond her accomplishments, Liane carried herself with kindness and quiet strength that inspired climate progress. California is stronger because of her leadership, and I’m grateful for her decades of service to our state.”

Sanchez brings experience from both state and federal climate policy roles. She has served as Senior Advisor for Climate in Governor Newsom’s office since 2021 and previously worked as Senior Advisor for the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate in the Biden-Harris Administration. Her background also includes serving as Deputy Secretary for Climate Policy at the California Environmental Protection Agency and International Policy Director at CARB.

“Lauren has been my most trusted climate advisor and the chief architect of California’s bold climate agenda — helping deliver billions in new investments and cementing our state’s role as the global leader in the fight for a clean, healthy, job-creating future,” added Governor Newsom. “She is a force in her own right: her expertise, tenacity, and vision will serve California well as the Board works to protect our communities and defends our climate progress against relentless attacks from Washington.”

Sanchez holds degrees from Yale University and Middlebury College. Her appointment requires Senate confirmation.

In addition to changes at CARB, Governor Newsom named Ann Patterson to the Delta Stewardship Council. Patterson has held several senior roles in his administration since 2019 after working as a partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe.

Audrey Cho was appointed Legislative and Policy Advisor at the Delta Stewardship Council following her tenure as an Executive Fellow there. Cho's background includes research positions at academic institutions such as Smith College and involvement with Conservation X Labs.

Frank Damrell was appointed to the California Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board after serving on the Delta Stewardship Council since 2013. Damrell previously worked as Of Counsel at Cotchett Pitre & McCarthy LLP and served as a judge on the United States District Court for Eastern District of California.

All appointments requiring Senate confirmation are subject to legislative approval before taking effect.